The Best Retail Architects in New York City (2022)

Finding a good contractor for a retail project in New York City is crucial due to the city’s complex regulations, stringent building codes, and high construction costs. A skilled contractor with local experience can navigate these challenges efficiently, ensuring compliance, timely completion, and quality workmanship, ultimately saving time and money while delivering a successful project. With the average retail project in the city ranging from $100,000 to $950,000—and higher-end projects potentially soaring beyond $1.7 million—it’s crucial to choose an architect who can deliver aesthetic excellence and functional design. Retail projects in NYC can take up to 50 weeks to complete, a timeline that leaves little room for error.

New York City, home to over 8.3 million people, is a bustling hub of commercial activity, where the median home value sits at an impressive $838,000. In such a competitive environment, finding the right architect is not just about managing costs—it’s about ensuring your project stands out and meets the high expectations of New York’s demanding market. The city has seen a notable number of retail projects, with 154 permits issued over the past two years, reflecting the ever-evolving retail landscape.

The stakes are high for anyone looking to embark on a retail project in New York City. The average construction cost of $109.20 per square foot highlights the significant investment required. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the best retail architects in New York, ensuring your project is in capable hands from start to finish.

Overview: The Best Retail Architects in New York City (2022)

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more. 

Cass Calder Smith Architecture + Interiors

180 Varick Street, #930, New York, NY 10014

Cass Calder Smith is committed to architectural and design excellence. Since its founding, the firm has created a wide range of public and private buildings and interiors. The firm has received worldwide recognition for its restaurant projects’ architectural and commercial success. The distinctiveness of its residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings has resulted in an extraordinary level of owner satisfaction and media acclaim. Several publications have featured its work, including Hospitality Snapshots, Hospitality Design, Robb Report, Nob Hill Gazette, and 7×7. CCS’s broad experience and knowledge enable its team to deliver full or independent architecture and interior design services for every project scale, from ground-up through renovations to interior build-outs. It has effectively delivered inventive solutions for individuals, corporations, and non-profits through a process guided by leadership, understanding, invention, and collaboration.

Gabellini Sheppard Associates, LLP

665 Broadway, Suite #706, New York, NY 10012

Gabellini Sheppard, a firm that has designed and delivered large-scale retail projects, has worked with international fashion designers such as David Yurman, Jil Sander, Giorgio Armani, and Salvatore Ferragamo. Since its inception, the business has been known for its sculptural skill with light, space, and materials. The Vera Wang flagship boutique in New York is the most prominent of these exquisite spaces. This 2,000-square-foot atmosphere was inspired by the dynamic elements of a white box theater and was meant to reflect the designer’s aesthetic of beautiful, expressive luxury. Over the years, the company has developed similarly captivating projects that have won it several accolades, including the AIA New York’s 2017 Excelsior Award for Public Architecture, the International Design Association (IIDA) Global Excellence Award, and the Merit Award from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA). Along with such distinctions, the firm’s work has appeared in several periodicals, including the New York Times, Dwell, The Wall Street Journal, and Architectural Digest. Gabellini Sheppard Associates, LLP received the 2017 American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Historic Preservation, solidifying its reputation as one of the best architects in New York.

Kenneth Park Architects

360 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Kenneth Park Architects delivers services for retail, commercial, and mixed-use architecture on a national and, on occasion, international scale. The firm was named on the 2019 list of Top Retail Design Firms and has appeared in Flaunt Magazine, Vogue, 6Sqft, and Archinect, among others. This fame has brought the firm high-profile customers, including brand names like Adidas, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Diane Von Furstenberg, among many others. These powerful names show the firm’s ability to create unique brand concepts and prototype designs. Kenneth Park and Robert Yuricic, seasoned principals, supervise the firm’s projects. Park is the company’s founder and principal architect, with over 30 years of expertise providing architectural, development, and consulting services to major retailers and developers worldwide. Meanwhile, Yuricic has over 25 years of expertise working on and managing some of New York City’s greatest retail projects.

Mancini Duffy

520 8th Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018

Mancini Duffy, a full-service design firm specializing in architecture, planning, and interior design, has a 100-year background and a tech-forward strategy. The firm combines a century of experience with a modern entrepreneurial mindset and technological skills for clients in the commercial, education, financial, retail, healthcare, multi-family residential, restoration, institutional, religious, sports, technology, and media sectors. After changing its name to Halsey, McCormack & Helmer, the company designed iconic buildings such as the Williamsburgh Savings Bank. The firm became famous for its spectacular bank buildings that helped define the architectural fabric of greater New York throughout the years. Christian D. Giordano, the firm’s new president, takes his leadership position with 20 years of expertise and a well-known dedication to advancing the industry’s boundaries. Christian was chosen president of Mancini Duffy in October 2014, less than a year after joining the firm. He became majority owner in January 2017.

Slade Architecture

77 Chambers Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10007

Slade Architecture has worked with international brands such as Pepsi, Virgin Atlantic, Rockrose, and Renaissance Hotel, among many others. Flight Club commissioned the firm to develop a new flagship shop in an existing loft building in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The project features a mix of urban recreational spaces and modern art. The firm’s work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Independent, Fast Company, and Surface Magazine, positioning itself as one of the leading architects in NYC. The firm has also received several other honors, including the Innovative Concept Award and the Soft Line Goods Award at the 2018 Retail Design Institute Awards for its work on Flight Club LA.

Design Republic Partners Architects

501 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10022

Design Republic is recognized for excelling in corporate workplaces, retail, and media technology design. The firm has created projects for over 200 high-profile clients, including Puma, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Fendi, and Furla. It takes pride in being open and collaborative and is dedicated to finding new ways to combine design excellence and outcomes. The Design Republic story is based on a belief system that encapsulates the company’s distinct design culture that challenges the status quo—a culture of purpose, trust, and open, constructive debate. The firm is led by six principals, nearly all of whom are AIA members and certified LEED AP. In 2018, Interior Design Magazine rated the firm the #1 Rising Giant and named it an NYCxDesign Honoree. Along with such accolades, its work has been published in various publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, Engineering News-Record (ENR), and 6Sqft. Design Republic was named the 2020 Interior Design Magazine’s NYCxDESIGN Large Retail Honoree, positioning itself as one of the best architects in NYC.

Mapos Architects, DPC

2 East Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10038

Mapos Architects is a globally acknowledged and award-winning team of architects and designers who have sharpened their skills to design projects that mirror the firm’s modern and intimate designs. The Lexington Avenue branch of Korean beauty giant Innisfree is a great example—the store has a design that seamlessly integrates the brand’s natural and light atmosphere with New York’s concept of glam, grit, bright lights, and scaffoldings. The lower half of the scaffold is dedicated solely to the brand’s colorful products. In contrast, the upper half serves as a reimagined plant wall and abstracted cityscape centered on the theme of “The Island,” which is placed in the center of the store and lit by a group of 35 randomly placed and sized light spheres. Mapos collaborated with brands like Clinique, Sleep Studio, and Green Depot. Such projects have brought the firm plenty of attention, including a spot on VMSD’s Top Retail Design Firms list in 2020 and 2019. The firm was also named a 2019 NYCxDesign Large Retail Honoree. Mapos was a Special Mention Honoree for the Architizer A+Awards the same year. Several publications, including The New York Times, Inc., Elle Decor Italia, and Architect Magazine, have also covered the firm’s impressive work.

Montroy DeMarco Architecture, LLP

99 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10016

Montroy DeMarco Architecture (MDA) is known for providing design excellence and technological expertise. This skill set is evident in the firm’s portfolio, including some of the most notable commercial, retail, multi-family, workplace, hotel, life sciences, and senior housing projects constructed around the country. MDA is a Montroy Andersen DeMarco (MADGI) subsidiary that offers interior design services in the same markets, including retail. It has been ranked as the 133rd-largest design business in the United States by Building Design + Construction. The firm’s work has also been published in magazines such as The New York Times, Interior Design, and Engineering News-Record (ENR). This attention has brought MDA projects with famous names like Zara, Jordache, CitizenM Hotels, the U.S. Polo Association, and Camper Fifth Avenue. Complex projects like the one shown below are managed by principals Daniel Montroy, AIA, Richard J DeMarco, AIA, and Steven Andersen.

Ronnette Riley Architect

494 Eighth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10001

Ronnette Riley Architect is known for incorporating new and old materials and methods into sophisticated, well-crafted spaces. Over the years, the firm’s ability to produce comfortable design and technical proficiency has led many clients to return. The firm has consistently grown in institutional, retail, commercial, and residential projects. It is also often complimented for managing the collaborative construction process on schedule and within budget. Its commitment to innovation has earned the team numerous prizes, including the AIA New York City Merit Award for Architecture and the AIA New York State Excellence in Design Award. The firm’s work has been featured in several other publications, including Architectural Record, The New York Times, and BUILD Magazine, as well as international publications like Pantheon in the Netherlands, The Sunday Press in Ireland, and View Magazine in Italy. In 2020, Ronnette Riley Architect was awarded BUILD Magazine’s Architecture Award for Best Interior Design & Planning Studio in New York, earning a reputation as one of the best commercial architects in New York.

TPG Architecture, LLP

31 Penn Plaza, 132 West 31st St, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001

TPG Architecture is a design studio that has collaborated with brands such as Piaget, Ferrari, Kate Spade, and Birkenstock. It has built a portfolio of sophisticated and elegant projects over time. One of them is Ferrari’s Park Avenue showroom design. The 6,800-square-foot room has a modern appearance that complements Ferrari’s brand colors of red, black, and silver. These kinds of projects have brought the firm several honors, including two 2020 awards at the Design: Retail Spectrum Competition. The firm was also recognized with other titles the same year, including rankings in VMSD’s list of Top Retail Design Firms and ENR’s list of the Top 500.

RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC

159 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001

RAND Engineering & Architecture, an interdisciplinary company with knowledge in both engineering and architecture, was founded to assist owners, managers, and co-op and condo boards in keeping their buildings well-maintained and visually appealing. The firm’s 100-person team has designed projects for clients like Buccellati, Journelle, Moncler, and Louis Leeman. RAND Engineering & Architecture was named ENR New York’s Top Design Firms 2017. The firm’s work has also been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Habitat Magazine, The New York Times, and Architectural Digest.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the retail architects in the New York City area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.