Lloyd’s architectural career began in celebration, with a bit of whimsy alongside other young designers hired to work on the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. While in New Orleans, Lloyd worked on hotel, healthcare and historic renovation projects, as well. He remembers this internship as a quintessential environment for professional growth among some of the most talented designers of that era. Following a 4 year stint with industry leader Perez Associates, Architects, Lloyd partnered with Urban Planner, Robert Tannen from 1985-88; working on several historic preservation and adaptive re-use projects, as well as, an historic hotel renovation.

Lloyd consulted exclusively with world renowned retail developer The Rouse Company, from 1985-1992. TRC, founded by Jim Rouse, is credited with creating the “festival marketplace” which became the forefather to today’s mixed use in-town developments. The regeneration of the urban marketplace (once referred to as “Festival Marketplaces”) began Lloyd’s love for inner city “people places” and mixed-use developments as new town centers and nuclei for subsequent redevelopment. Lloyd served as design manager for three Urban Marketplaces: Riverwalk, New Orleans; The Jacksonville Landing, Florida, and Underground Atlanta. In 1992 Lloyd served as a development team member responsible for master planning and conceptual design for Disney’s Boardwalk and hotel development in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.