A Continuing Legacy: Reflecting on the Past, Designing the Future

Fifth Installment

Today, Acheson Doyle Partners Architects continues to evolve while remaining grounded in the values that have shaped the firm for the past four decades. Adaptive reuse, luxury residential design, hospitality, preservation, and institutional work reflect a practice focused on transformation, longevity, and thoughtful modernization. Across each project, ADP balances technical expertise with craftsmanship while maintaining the collaborative and long-standing client relationships that remain central to the firm’s identity.

Residential work during this decade reflects an increasing synthesis of historic inspiration and contemporary living. At the 432 Park Avenue Penthouse, ADP orchestrated the complex renovation of a modern luxury high-rise residence into a richly detailed family home inspired by multiple historic architectural traditions. The expansive condominium incorporates grand galleries, libraries, handcrafted millwork, fresco murals, and custom bronze detailing created by artisans and craftspeople from around the world. Throughout the project, ADP carefully integrated traditional architectural motifs within the realities of a contemporary supertall structure, demonstrating the firm’s continued ability to merge craftsmanship, innovation, and technical precision at the highest level of residential design.

The firm’s adaptive reuse and workplace projects similarly emphasize transformation through thoughtful and human-centered design. At the Food52 Headquarters in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, ADP collaborated with Float Studio to convert a large warehouse space into a warm and inviting creative workplace complete with test kitchens, photography studios, libraries, communal gathering areas, and workspaces for more than one hundred employees. Through careful material selections, circulation planning, and sensitive detailing, the project transforms an industrial structure into a collaborative environment designed to foster creativity and community.

ADP also continues expanding its role in preservation-informed contemporary architecture through projects such as the Clinton Hill Mass Timber Home. Working as preservation consultant alongside the design architect, the firm helped navigate the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission approval process for the renovation of an 1870s Brooklyn carriage house into an award-winning mass timber residence. The project demonstrates ADP’s ability to bridge historic preservation and progressive design approaches, transforming a damaged historic structure into one of New York City’s first single-family residences renovated using mass timber construction methods.

Sacred and institutional projects remain a cornerstone of the practice. At St. Ignatius Loyola Church, ADP continues decades of work across the landmarked Park Avenue campus through restoration, accessibility, planning, and campus connectivity projects. From choir loft renovations and accessibility improvements to the restoration of historic buildings across the campus, the firm continues to guide the evolution of one of New York City’s most significant sacred institutions while preserving its historic and architectural integrity.

Large-scale restoration and adaptive reuse work also define the decade. At One Hanson Place, the former Williamsburgh Savings Bank in Brooklyn, ADP led the renovation and restoration of the landmarked Art Deco banking hall and historic vault spaces. Working closely with preservation consultants and city agencies, the firm successfully adapted the historic interiors for contemporary retail and event use while carefully preserving the building’s defining architectural character. Today, ADP continues its involvement at One Hanson Place by working alongside Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment and Casa Tua Cucina to transform the basement, ground floor, and mezzanine into an upscale food and beverage destination. The project arrives during a period of significant growth and redevelopment in Downtown Brooklyn, contributing to the continued evolution of one of the borough’s most iconic landmark buildings.

Longstanding hospitality relationships also continue to shape the firm’s work. At the Sherry-Netherland Hotel, where ADP serves as building architect for thirty years, the firm oversees infrastructure upgrades, apartment renovations, lobby restoration work, and preservation initiatives across the iconic Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Gothic property overlooking Central Park. Similarly, at the Plaza Hotel, ADP contributes to both restoration and residential renovation projects within one of New York City’s most recognized landmarks. From penthouse renovations and façade consulting to conceptual lobby restoration work, these projects demonstrate the firm’s continued stewardship of some of the city’s most celebrated hospitality destinations.

As ADP looks toward the future, the firm remains committed to the principles that have guided its work since 1986: craft, precision, collaboration, and thoughtful stewardship. The projects of the 2020s reflect a practice that continues to evolve while honoring the architectural history, institutional relationships, and design excellence that define its legacy.