E&LP Expands Geographic Reach and Deepens Expertise Through Acquisition by AKRF

E&LP, Inc., a New Jersey-based multidisciplinary engineering firm known for thoughtful and sustainable designs, is thrilled to announce its recent acquisition by AKRF, Inc., a multidisciplinary consulting firm based in New York City. Effective March 1, 2024, this strategic partnership positions E&LP to expand its geographic reach and service offerings, allowing the combined firm to better serve clients.

Since 2000, E&LP has grown within New Jersey and Pennsylvania, providing clients with practical and context-driven designs for residential, commercial, and public spaces. E&LP’s commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions has earned honorable recognition from industry organizations for engineering design, green stormwater management, environmental enhancement, and sustainable innovation.

“This is an exciting day for both organizations,” said Karen Franz, President and CEO of AKRF, and Eric Raes, President and CEO of E&LP, in a joint statement. “The employees of AKRF and E&LP share common values, a selfless commitment to collaboration, and a genuine enthusiasm for improving the built and natural environments for future generations. Our professionals, clients, and communities all stand to benefit from this partnership.”

AKRF, founded in 1981, employs nearly 400 professionals across offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as remote locations throughout the country. The company’s projects have earned numerous awards for technical excellence from industry organizations. Notably, AKRF was recognized in 2023 by the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York for leadership in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – an essential value shared with E&LP.

Growth with Unity

E&LP seamlessly integrates with AKRF’s technical capabilities and client base, providing immediate access to a wider range of services and expertise. E&LP clients can now benefit from AKRF’s capabilities in:

Acoustics: AKRF has acoustics, noise, and vibration professionals with local experience on buildings like The Lively in Jersey City, Hoboken Connect, and Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park along with projects in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Nashville, Miami, Houston, Salt Lake City, and many other cities. The firm specializes in architectural acoustics, environmental noise studies, and vibration analysis and monitoring.

Geotechnical Engineering: With notable projects throughout the New York metro area like Etihad City Football Academy, NorthLight at Edge-on-Hudson in Sleepy Hollow, and the Manhattan College Higgins Center, AKRF’s geotechnical engineers provide support throughout the lifecycle of a project. From subsurface explorations to project-specific analyses for seismic design, the firm handles all necessary design documents, plans, and technical specifications for the geotechnical aspects of design and construction.

Traffic & Transportation Engineering: With a strong foundation in multimodal transportation – and experience with the latest innovative practices including Complete Streets and context-sensitive roadway designs, multimodal simulation, and Adaptive Traffic Control Systems—AKRF provides full-service traffic engineering and transportation planning for real estate owners and developers, government agencies, institutions, and other clients. Example projects include The Linc in New Rochelle, One Vanderbilt, and the Route 17 Exit 131 Interchange.

Economic and Real Estate Consulting: Economists, planners, and modelers at AKRF specialize in the preparation of economic and fiscal impact analyses, socioeconomic studies, demographic and market condition studies, tourism and hospitality studies, and much more. The firm’s work has included One Westfield Place in Westfield and longtime relationships with the U.S. National Tennis Center and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Project Expertise: A Combined Force for Success

E&LP and AKRF’s longstanding presence within New Jersey remains instrumental to the combined firms’ operations. A deep understanding of the state’s regulatory landscape and local resources guides our teams in delivering exceptional service to New Jersey clients.

The union of E&LP and AKRF creates a powerhouse of skill and talent, with a diverse portfolio of successful projects. This includes:

Northwest Resiliency Park: E&LP is the prime consultant leading the design team in developing the green infrastructure systems and park amenities that are the signature of Hoboken’s largest public park, built upon the City’s ongoing efforts to integrate resiliency into park projects.

Bayfront: Located in Jersey City, Bayfront will be among the signature projects revitalizing and activating the city’s Hackensack River waterfront. AKRF is providing environmental services for the project.

Wonder Lofts Apartments: A large-scale multifamily development showcasing E&LP’s integration of green infrastructure, featured in the NJ Developers Green Infrastructure Guide from NJ Future.

New Jersey Wind Port: AKRF is providing environmental permitting and regulatory support to PSEG and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for the nation’s first purpose-built offshore wind marshaling port, along with site assessment/remediation services, natural resources assessments, and cultural resources consulting.

Hoboken Heights: The development of Hoboken Heights could not have been possible without the brownfield remediation efforts from E&LP. Redevelopment of the distressed property required environmental regulatory compliance, pesticide-impact soil blending, hot spot excavations, and other services.

30-Mac: E&LP worked with Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design on this LEED for Homes Gold-Certified 10-unit apartment building in Princeton, NJ. This project received the 2020 Gotham Green Award.

Lebanon Town Center: E&LP provided site plan engineering, construction administration, stormwater management design, and NJDEP and Highlands permitting for the two-phase development of four multifamily residential buildings. Due to several environmental constraints, the site required innovative site design features.