Albert Carey Martin (September 16, 1879 – April 9, 1960) was an American architect and engineer. He founded the architectural firm of Albert C. Martin & Associates, now known as A.C. Martin Partners, and designed some of Southern California's landmark buildings. Martin is also credited with developing a system of reinforced concrete construction, along with reinforced brick masonry.

Early career

Born in LaSalle, Illinois, Martin received his Bachelor of Science degree in architectural engineering from the University of Illinois in 1902 and began his career as a draftsman at Brown-Ketcham Iron Works in Indianapolis, Indiana. He worked in his early career in steel and iron for the Pennsylvania Railroad and Cambria Steel Company. In 1904, Martin moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a construction superintendent for Carl Leonardt & Company. He next went to work as an engineer for Alfred Rosenheim, one of the city's leading architects.

Architectural career in Los Angeles

Martin formed his own firm, Albert C. Martin & Associates, in 1906. His firm went on to become one of the most prominent architectural firms in Los Angeles. On October 16, 1907, he and Carolyn E. Borchard (February 21, 1883–June 9, 1959) were married in Oxnard, California. They had six children, including architect Albert C. Martin Jr., who went into business with his father, and J. Edward Martin (October 23, 1916 – November 22, 2004), a structural engineer who assumed management of the firm after World War II. Martin's notable buildings include:

Recognition and later life

Martin and his associates ultimately designed an estimated 1,500 buildings. In 1959, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce recognized Martin for his contributions to the development of Los Angeles, by awarding him its annual "Man of Achievement" award. Martin's achievements included development of a system of reinforced concrete construction in 1907 and development of a method of reinforced brick masonry in 1933 to help safeguard the city's buildings against earthquakes. Albert C. Martin died at age 80 in Los Angeles. The firm he founded, now known as A.C. Martin Partners, has continued as one of the city's leading architectural firms, and Martin's son, Albert C. Martin Jr., was one of its leading architects. A.C. Martin is now helmed by Albert, Jr.'s son, David C. Martin, and nephew, Christopher C. Martin.