25th Anniversary Marquis Latimer + Halback Update
Written by Laura Marquis. Marquis is CFP and Principal at Marquis Latimer + Halback, Inc.
As we celebrate our 25 th anniversary as a firm, spring has officially sprung in St. Augustine! The joy and renewal of the season is especially felt in a team of landscape architects, and we are feeling re-energized by the awakening landscape and plant material. As always, we are under construction on a number of great projects and would love to share our projects in progress!
Project Updates
Riverfront Esplanade in Daytona Beach
One project where the seasonal change is making itself felt is the Riverfront Esplanade in Daytona Beach. Our team continues to meet with the garden maintenance crew to review adherence to our Integrated Maintenance Program. With the plant material looking fresh after a cold winter in Florida, this is a partnership that we are so happy to be part of.
Custom Garden in Ormond Beach
We are working on beautiful and functional hardscape detailing on a custom garden in Ormond Beach.
Youth Camp Chapel
In Volusia County, we are working on a Youth Camp Chapel that is on track for a spring opening.
Columbarium in Bosque Bello Cemetery
At Bosque Bello Cemetery in Fernandina Beach, Florida, our team is working on a new columbarium, which was recently approved by the City Commission.
Deering Park Welcome Center
In Edgewater, Florida, we have been preparing for the Deering Park Welcome Center Opening happening later this year. This is part of a long-term partnership that we are grateful to be able to continue to invest in.
Community Garden at UWF
In Pensacola, Florida, the Community Garden at the University of West Florida is starting to take shape...literally! The nautilus form continues to guide us as we create a truly unique space.
TEAM Updates
In January, our Senior Associate, Carolina Schultz got married! Our team was so excited to celebrate with her and her new husband. Carolina has been with our team for nearly five years, and it was a joyful experience to be included in this special event for her, her husband, and their families.
In February, we brought on Sierra Sekelsky to join our associate group. Sierra is a native St. Augustinian and brings with her an enthusiasm for the full design process, a peaceful and steady demeanor, and well-developed technical and communication skills. We are so glad she has joined our team!
In March we began the 2026 hiring process in earnest after a late February trip to UF’s Career Fair. We are continuing to develop these conversations after a couple of engaging in-person interviews with graduating candidates. If you are an entry-level or experienced candidate interested in working with us in downtown St. Augustine, please feel free to apply via our website.
We often joke about early March through mid-April being “birthday month” at our firm, with five team member birthdays falling in that short window. Jeremy’s 41st came with some extra fun, as our team put together t-shirts giving a nod to Jeremy’s very definite font preferences! We always take a moment for a celebratory breakfast or lunch together for each member – the time celebrating each other is never wasted.
In April, we celebrated our firm’s 25th Anniversary with a celebratory hangout at The French Pantry in downtown St. Augustine! We combined some delicious food and beverages with our annual “State of the Firm” meeting, but we added in some reminiscing about our story and the road that has led us to this milestone. We enjoyed hearing from Fred, our founder, about his overall career, the ups and downs of starting and maintaining our firm, and the process of educating and handing the baton to the next generation. We are so grateful to our team, our clients, and the communities that have allowed us to share in the process of making them what they are today.