By Lindsay Hocker, lhocker@qconline.com

Legat Architects is celebrating its new location in the Heritage Place Building at 1515 5th Ave., Suite 108, Moline, with a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. today

From 5 to 7 p.m., Legat will host the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours event. Cost to attend that event is $10 for chamber members and $20 for nonmembers. People can pay at the door.

Legat president/CEO Patrick Brosnan said that, before the Moline studio opened last November, architects were commuting back and forth to the Chicago area. "We've been working in Moline for just over 19 years."

He said having a Moline location is better for clients and the company. "By having architects living and working in the communities we work in, we're able to help generate a better economy."

Right now, a business development director and three architects are assigned to the office, but Mr. Brosnan said there is space for six to eight architects.

Legat Architects "is a sustainable design practice specializing in planning, architecture, and interior design," according to its website, legat.com.

The company specializes in commercial/mixed use, corporate, healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, and municipal facilities.

Mr. Brosnan said Legat is excited about being selected as architect for MetroLink's Moline multi-modal transportation center, which will be a few blocks from Heritage Place.

The Chicago-based Legat also has locations in Crystal Lake, Oak Brook and Waukegan, and a joint venture firm in Columbus, Ohio, called Legat & Kingscott.