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About Us
As architects, designers, planners and consultants, we partner with our clients on some 3,000 projects every year. These projects can be as small as a wine label or as large as a new urban district. With 2,000+ professionals networked across more than 30 locations, we serve our clients as trusted advisors, combining localized expertise with global perspective wherever new opportunities arise. Our work reflects an enduring commitment to sustainability and the belief that design is one of the most powerful strategic tools for securing lasting competitive advantage.
Download Gensler's Fact Sheet (pdf) for more information regarding the the services we provide, markets we support, our locations and our leadership.
Download "Design Update: The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE" (pdf) to learn how L.A.'s sports-entertainment district gets its landmark.
CityCenter enables people to experience Las Vegas as true insiders in one of the world’s most remarkable settings. As Executive Architect, Gensler provided information critical to the development of a successful residential sales experience. In partnership with the MGM MIRAGE® Residential Sales team, Gensler has set a new benchmark for the world’s greatest luxury sales experiences. A multi-disciplinary Gensler team of brand strategists and interior, graphic and environmental designers collaborated to craft every facet of the customer experience, from designing the actual space and concepting videos to developing the content and design for all of the printed sales collateral.
Gensler was commissioned to brand, name and design all the communication materials for a new residential tower based in Dubai. The marketing initiative for the scheme was to offer a "contemporary living" style in Dubai. Working with the proposition "Living reinvented," Gensler designed an overall concept to convey the exclusive nature of the development. The name and logotype echoed the proposed architecture by using a custom typeface that is modern in its execution. The chosen color palette reflects the natural aspects of the scheme and can be used as a signature color throughout. Other promotional materials included stationery, brochures, advertising media and Web site design.
Chicago's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community now has a home in the Center on Halsted. Designed by Gensler as a visible symbol of LGBT pride, this environmentally sustainable civic place invigorates its North Side neighborhood. Seventy-five percent of the total façade is clear glass, exposing the vibrant inner workings of the Center and enlivening the streetscape. Certified LEED® Silver, the Center includes an entertainment venue, a grocery store, café, technology center, gymnasium, theater, public roof garden, offices for community service partners and other unique gathering spaces.
This super-tall, 632-meter tower will be sited in the heart of Shanghai’s Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, adjacent the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center. As the skyline's most prominent icon, the tower’s transparent, spiral form will showcase cutting-edge sustainable strategies and public spaces that set new standards for green community. Within 121 stories, Shanghai Tower will house Class-A office space, entertainment venues, retail, a conference center, a luxury hotel and cultural amenity spaces. The tower will be registered for a high level of building certification from the China Green Building Committee and the U.S. Green Building Council.
Follow Shanghai Tower's construction progress at the GenslerOn blog.
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) headquarters is a gateway to a new financial district in Dubai. The Gate is a global center for leading financial businesses designed to embody the DIFC's vales of integrity, transparency and simplicity. The building is an iconic element of the master plan, which called for a promenade ending in a triumphal arch, modeled after Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe. Sitting on an axis with the Emirates Towers and the World Trade Centre, the building frames these two Dubai landmarks.
Located at the intersection of the major commercial and cultural corridors of Fifth and Liberty Avenues, Three PNC Plaza aims to reinvigorate the heart of downtown Pittsburgh from the ground to the sky. This landmark tower respects its urban context through a highly transparent base that engages and energizes the streetscape. The overall design speaks to the mixed-use nature of the building's program, which includes the 180-key Fairmont Pittsburgh hotel, 30 residential units, and 360,000 square feet of office and retail at the street level. The building is expected to attain LEED® certification.
The new Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott hotel pioneers the world's latest school of architecture known as "Kid Modern." With clean lines and vibrant colors, this playful yet highly sophisticated architectural language appeals to kids and their parents alike. The hotel will face the stunning San Diego Harbor and a new public boat channel and promenade. This 650-key, 1.2-million-square-foot hotel will be visible from the nearby airport and will punctuate the San Diego skyline with its 80-foot-high "slime tower," the focal point of an adjacent water park.
Gensler designed this 54-story tower as the visual anchor for the larger six-block sports and entertainment district known as L.A. LIVE. Comprising two distinct hotel brands, an 878-key JW Marriott hotel and a 123-key Ritz-Carlton boutique hotel, the tower's top 25 floors house Ritz-branded condominium residences. Located adjacent the STAPLES Center, the vertical icon contributes to the dynamism and sophistication of this revitalized commercial district. The sustainably designed tower earned LEED® Silver certification.
Located on 48 acres of Potomac River waterfront south of Washington, D.C., Gaylord National® is the centerpiece of a groundbreaking regional mixed-use development that raises the bar for leisure and business travel options near the U.S. capital. The four-star, 2,000-key hotel and 825,000-square-foot convention center count among the region's largest hospitality properties. Housed under a dramatic 17-story, glass-arch atrium are lush gardens, waterscapes and guest amenities including restaurants, bars, retail and a Canyon Ranch spa. A large outdoor amphitheater and marina offer additional diversions, as well as a water taxi service to downtown D.C.
21st Century Tower is a mixed-use, 50-story building in the Pudong district of Shanghai, a dynamic international business center. The first 21 floors will be Class-A office space, followed by an 11-floor Four Seasons Hotel, and 12 floors of condominiums managed by the Four Seasons. The office lobby and residential entrance will be at base of the tower, with the hotel's reception and amenities areas located in the adjacent podium. The project is located on Century Avenue, the main East-West Pudong thoroughfare.
Steps away from the Huang Pu River and directly across from the Green Belt promenade of the former shipyards, this mixed-use project connects nature to the city. A prestigious office tower and premium hotel and residences tower stand as a gateway to the retail arcade, welcoming visitors into the project and the park. The project maintains view corridors to the river and green space, and features outdoor walkways that weave throughout the site. Zhong'Ou luxuriously integrates the elements of live, work and play.
Located in the heart of Chicago's Loop, Block 37 is planned to feature signature retail, entertainment and dining offerings; a future state-of-the-art transit station providing service to and from Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports; and eventual accommodations for a residential and/or hotel tower(s). Gensler's design for the downtown destination location is characterized by transparent and reflective materials that engage and enhance the streetscape of the surrounding business, theater and civic districts.
BM Plaza is located near the main railway station in the central area of the Zhabei District of Shanghai. This 183,900-square-meter, mixed-use development will include office space, a hotel, and retail. The project's design includes three towers shaped by the nature of the program: a landmark office tower, a mid-height hotel tower, and a lower tower that serves as the office tower. Retail and conference center facilities are located within the two-story base that links the towers together.
Located on the historic Chang'An Road in Beijing's Old City, this mixed-use project includes 188,485 square meters of office space, apartments and retail. Chang'An Center's focal point is a full-height archway sheltered beneath a sky-lit roof, creating an inviting public gateway into its office buildings and central courtyard. The use of a traditional courtyard plan is in keeping with Beijing's historic urban fabric and is an important amenity for the Center's international business clientele and the surrounding community.
Currently a neglected block of Market Street, CityPlace will transform this economically depressed and underutilized area into a lively, safe and shopper-friendly neighborhood. This urban project will showcase five levels of retail, totaling 230,000 square feet. The façade combines layers of clear and translucent glass with mirror patterning that will capture fragmented images of the street life while giving a peek into the development's interior activities. The exposed inner workings of the building are aimed at helping restore and revitalize the streetscape.
Gensler is designing a new residential and office tower in the prestigious Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The sculptural 50-story glass and metal panel tower will include 10 floors of office space, and 320 luxury apartments on the upper 40 floors, all of which will enjoy dramatic views of the Persian Gulf. An adjacent parking structure will accommodate 1,500 cars. A complete fitness center will be located on top of the garage with an Olympic swimming pool, handball courts and a full basketball court.
Wan Chuan International Center is a mixed-use complex consisting of 91,000 square meters of retail, service and office components. The retail podium serves as the backbone to the project by forming a strong curved axis oriented toward the river. The curved roof terrace above the retail area provides an unparalleled setting and modern luxurious lifestyle with 24-hour activity. A transparency of volumes blurs the distinction between interior and exterior spaces. Pedestrians and shoppers can enjoy the amenities in a natural setting while being sheltered from the harsh exterior elements.
Gensler served as Executive Architect for CityCenter, the largest private development in the United States. With 18 million square feet of building footprint on 76 acres of land, CityCenter provides a sophisticated, cosmopolitan hub on The Strip, distinguished by world-class design and sustainable urbanity. The world's largest LEED® development, the complex contains six LEED Gold-certified properties (one CS and five NC ratings). Gensler represented the owner's interests in the leadership and coordination of all aspects of design, programming, construction documentation, construction administration, common area design, and above- and below-grade infrastructure.
Gensler developed the master plan for a new 260-acre Oakland A's Ballpark Village. Comprising a state-of-the-art, 32,000-seat stadium and 650,000-square-foot retail, hotel and entertainment center, Ballpark Village seeks to establish new precedents for modern ballpark design and “urban infill” projects developed in suburban settings. Adjacent to the village are 120 acres of mid- to high-density residential development, accommodating 3,150 units in a lush, “Central Park-like” environment. A network of interconnected neighborhood parks, multi-modal trails and alternative transportation options serve to unify the fabric of the village infrastructure.
Influenced by its close proximity to Burj Dubai, the world's tallest tower, Tower 38 will form part of a streetscape neighboring both the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Business Bay master plans. Gensler designed this 60-floor residential development in a Modern Islamic aesthetic. The tower is composed of a series of interlocking pieces that step back as the building rises, appearing to ascend toward the Burj Dubai Tower.
As the spiritual destination of Muslims worldwide, Makkah is transforming major areas of the city to accommodate unprecedented numbers of pilgrims. Gensler is planning the redevelopment of Darb Al-Khalil, the historic southern approach to Makkah, creating residences, hotels and amenities for pilgrims. The plan is guided by the sanctity of Al-Haram, the mosque surrounding the Kaabah. Three separate south-north "spines" coexist to ease pedestrian movement from Darb Al-Khalil to Al-Haram and visually connect the development to Makkah's sacred center.
The world’s newest international financial center, DIFC aims to create an environment for progress and economic development in the United Arab Emirates and across the region. A unique mixed-use complex comprising office space, serviced apartments, hotels, shops and restaurants, DIFC promises to enrich the civic experience, attracting visitors with a museum, art gallery and performing arts center. A temperature-controlled environment will enable people to walk from one part of the city complex to another in constant comfort. Gensler is responsible for the entire two-million-square-meter master plan and a number of its flagship buildings.
By creating five new districts in central Shanghai, Gensler's Nan Jing Road West Master Plan will preserve older neighborhoods while making way for modernization. The 400,000-square-meter development program set out in the plan will modernize the prestigious western third of Nan Jing Road, restore it as Shanghai's main shopping street and preserve elements of the "Shanghai style" that made the city famous.
For the 130-hectare Shamiyah district, Gensler prepared a master plan that would improve the urban qualities of Makkah, renowned destination of Muslim pilgrims worldwide. The Shamiyah master plan proposes a major new gateway corridor that will connect the city's northern neighborhoods directly to the Grand Mosque (Haram). The plan proposes to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, redevelop a deteriorated sector of the city, and effectively guide approaching pilgrims toward the Haram during their visits to Makkah.
Located on the south edge of the Huangpu River on the north end of Pudong's Lujiazui district, the planned 60-hectare Shanghai Shipyard development will have clear views of both the Jin Mao Tower and the Pearl Tower. With 450,000 square meters currently in the plan for construction of residential, commercial, and entertainment space, Shanghai Shipyard links the modern Lujiazui district with an historic area of low-rise housing and industrial manufacturing. The river serves as a distinctive landmark of economic, cultural, and geographic significance.
Realizing its need to grow, while preserving its historic core, St. Petersburg is reclaiming 450 hectares of prime waterfront at the western end of Vasilievsky Island. Gensler has created a plan that offers not only a new financial center for the city, but makes the Island a comfortable place to work and live year-round. To mitigate subzero temperatures, Gensler's plan includes a below-grade circulation level that facilitates movement between buildings and provides Metro access. In addition to parks, many of the buildings feature roof gardens to take advantage of the summer months. The plan calls for compact, walkable, transit-served neighborhoods.
The Wuxi Bin Lake master plan envisions a landmark development on Wuxi's lakefront, reflecting the city's continued growth and evolution. The scheme capitalizes on the significant investment in road infrastructure to provide a balanced mix of both public and private uses on this strategically located site. The master plan concept divides the site into three main uses: a civic district on the lake that takes maximum advantage of the views across the city; residential districts; and a mixed-use center.
The flagship development for real estate investment company Tameer Holdings is the focal point of the new Shams master plan in Abu Dhabi. Expected to complete in 2011, the five-building complex features a 73-story, diamond-shaped commercial tower, four residential towers, a seven-star luxury hotel, retail, dining, parking and a private marina. The centerpiece of this nine-million-square-foot development is the commercial tower, which is characterized by a signature split near its base that will straddle the canal and pedestrian area that connect the Central Park and the sea. Complemented by the four residential towers' varying heights, the commercial tower will reach 980 feet high and cut a striking figure on the skyline.
In working with developer Monument Realty on the design and development of a 600-foot streetscape and retail zone between the Navy Yard Metro Station and the Washington Nationals’ new home, Gensler facilitated a visioning session, from which emerged the project’s framework and tone. One essential aspect of the session was the creation of a “storybox” in which participants used images, words, colors and objects to visually convey their expectations of Half Street. The resulting design strategy and brand positioning set the direction for all subsequent aspects of the project including retail, outdoor spaces, residential and commercial buildings.
Gensler is providing architectural and interior design for Phase 2 of this 304-acre community — a vibrant new sustainable development that capitalizes on what has historically made Austin progressive while being mindful of the city’s burgeoning growth and evolving urban lifestyle. Phase 2 includes 180,000 square feet of office space, 750,000 square feet of retail, Austin’s first “aloft” hotel, 488 residential units and a richly landscaped nine-acre community park and pavilion. Driven by the concept of living and working in a single location, The Domain incorporates a wide and progressive mix of experiences and amenities and is being designed to LEED® Silver certification.
Situated among mature shade trees and lush landscaping at the base of the San Bernadino Mountains, Guasti Vineyard is a planned community that will retain and expand the character of the historic Guasti winery and town. The project will comprise 100,000 square feet of retail and dining space, 400,000 square feet of offices, 400 residential units, and more than 500 rooms in three new boutique hotels. Existing historical stone winery buildings and a central villa will be preserved and integrated into this rustic Inland Empire oasis, maintaining the Tuscan charm and elegance with which the turn-of-the-century town was originally founded.
Reflecting a new paradigm for Korean commerce, this 150,000-square-meter headquarters is home to four major TV studios, live radio broadcast studios, live-performance spaces, corporate offices, and production and post-production facilities. A 4,000-square-meter plaza, anchoring and connecting the project, is surrounded by retail and restaurants on the first two levels. Radio studios and the entry to the Multi-Purpose Hall are also on the ground floor, with 24-hour spaces such as news stations, production facilities and special-effects studios occupying the floors above. The project’s grand scale and mix of activities result in a vibrant media city.
To enhance Neiman Marcus’ presence as an anchor of the Shops at La Cantera, Gensler created a flagship shopping experience with sleek modernity uncommon in department store design. The edgy, asymmetrical forms in concrete, steel and glass read differently from every angle and project the store’s new image as an ultra-luxury destination.
Across the 610 freeway from the Galleria, Gensler and developer Oliver McMillan are creating the premier luxury retail environment in Houston. More than 200,000 square feet of luxury and boutique retail space will line shade-covered streets in the River Oaks District, evoking the character and elegance of Rodeo Drive. A grand dining terrace will feature numerous bistro, quick-serve and café destinations beneath a flowing canopy, creating an inviting and protected outdoor dining experience. Above street level, four new towers—containing hotels, condos, apartments and office space—serve as both anchors and landmarks.
As the set for 1980s films such as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” the Sherman Oaks Galleria is a true pop culture icon, but as a retail destination, the mall had languished. Gensler’s challenge was to demolish and rebuild 90 percent of the outdated mall while retaining the aesthetic character of the classic American shopping center. The revitalized Galleria now houses upscale retail boutiques, a movie theater, a multitude of fine dining restaurants, a fitness club and one million square feet of office space. Open-air promenades, dynamic water features and public gathering spaces add to the vibrancy of the complex.
Gensler won a dual appointment as both master planner and architect for Blackpool’s new Conference and Casino Quarter. Seen as a key part of the £1.4bn master plan to transform Blackpool into a resort with international appeal, the development will contain 2.7 million square feet of entertainment, hotel, conferencing and casino development on a 20-acre site. The United Kingdom’s first “super casinos” aim to be the star attraction of the site and were designed to strengthen Blackpool’s reputation as a destination that evokes fun and excitement.
To catalyze growth and restore the civic and cultural significance of Detroit’s Woodward corridor, a Gensler-led team developed a planning and economic strategy that focuses on “creative economy” businesses, housing and related lifestyle activities. Advocating for and leveraging the possibilities of proposed transit construction, the plan establishes a series of nodes coinciding with significant routes, existing assets and development opportunities. This framework creates regenerative development opportunities along the length of the corridor that will foster a renewed, vibrant urban character. Extensive data was compiled into a matrix of short- to long-term opportunities and matched with suggested funding and implementation strategies.
Gensler led a conceptual study for the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation to examine existing market realities and develop a vision of retail, arts and cultural strategies that sees Fulton Street revitalized as a viable, livable and memorable community. After auditing the corridor’s retail composition — which runs from the East River to the Hudson — planners projected the total retail market demand. Seven distinct districts emerged in the process, and a block-by-block analysis provided an understanding of existing conditions and future opportunities. The study identified a series of success measures, ranging from improving transit to integrating public actions and financial incentives.
One of nine flagship zones overlooking the Straits of Johor between Malaysia and Singapore, the Iskandar Financial District Plan seeks to advance long-term economic development and international investment within Malaysia. Developed for Millennium Development International on behalf of Global Capital, the master plan comprises 46 million square feet of high-density, mixed-use development on a 146-hectare (360-acre) site characterized by gently rolling topography. The plan proposes a balanced juxtaposition between the natural and the manmade, consolidating development in tightly developed neighborhoods and allowing extensive parks and public open spaces. Sustainable elements include innovative stormwater management and building orientation that maximizes natural ventilation.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority commissioned Gensler to prepare a strategic master plan for Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. The master plan provides for a new resort community that can support a population of 150,000 people, as well as offer a full range of hotels and visitor attractions. The comprehensive development of the island as a strategic international tourism destination marks a new era in the rapid evolution of the city. Gensler proposed the creation of a major new “cultural district” on Saadiyat to enhance the tourism offer and establish Abu Dhabi as a major regional destination.
Gensler won the commission to prepare a long-term development strategy for an 11-kilometer stretch along the coastline of Morocco. A series of individual districts and landmarks have been identified, each creating a distinct feature on the coast and acting as a catalyst for the overall development. A comprehensive master plan was developed for a 120-hectares mixed-use development within the study area to include a central retail boulevard, landscaped gardens, extensive water features and magnificent views towards the sea.
As part of a three-stage competition organized by Montenegro’s Ministry for Economic Development, Gensler and Buro Happold partnered in the plan of a sustainable resort community located on the Adriatic Coast north of the Albanian border. The plan presents a vision for the phased development of a series of village-like precincts appointed with two- to five-star hotel properties that cater to a broad spectrum of tourists. Balancing the preservation of a fragile ecology with the demands of a contemporary resort environment, the plan proposes the means to operate efficiently and ecologically while establishing a Mediterranean destination.
Located on 700 acres northeast of the state’s capitol, this redevelopment master plan creates a vibrant, environmentally friendly mixed-use community on the California Exposition and State Fair grounds. New state-of-the-art fair facilities and an NBA arena will create a regional destination, providing year-round access to professional and collegiate sports, performing arts, concerts, trade shows and other entertainment. The plan incorporates such sustainable design principles as energy-efficient buildings, public and alternative transportation, and walkable districts in a program that also encompasses retail, hotel/conference center, office and residential components.
A vital component of the entertainment and cultural center of the city, the 16,000-seat Istanbul Super Arena is expected to become one of Europe’s leading venues for sports and entertainment. The arena emerges from the earth, creating a green park setting with a dramatic view to the Bosporus River. The roof will comprise a series of landscaped pedestrian walkways and experiences connecting to the river; knit together, these pedestrian paths enhance the urban public park experience on both sides of the Kadirgalar Caddesi. Work completed by Gensler staff while employed with RTKL Associates, Inc.
This new complex is a transformation of a former industrial site into a campus of sports, recreation and leisure facilities in a park-like environment. Anchored by indoor and outdoor multi-purpose venues for basketball, hockey, football and concerts, the complex will be home to the professional CSKA Euroleague basketball and hockey teams and the Torpedo soccer team. The development also integrates hotel, conference, health, wellness and spa facilities that capitalize on the sports teams' established brands. Work completed by Gensler staff while employed with RTKL Associates, Inc.
This once struggling suburban mall has been transformed into a lifestyle center with a new entry, façade and stores. Property updates have vastly improved the mall’s overall presence and appeal, attracting a higher caliber of tenants and creating a more compelling retail mix. A central rotunda featuring a new stone fountain acts as a beacon to draw shoppers and diners, while a new generously landscaped circular drive provides improved access. Modern materials and textures, improved lighting and signage, and revitalized plantings all combine to dramatic effect.
The renovation of the lower floors of this existing office tower will invite a new retail culture to Seoul’s historical context as part of an ongoing effort to encourage a pedestrian orientation. The lower six floors — including a two-level parking garage — have been reconfigured and redesigned into a colorful and vibrant new retail complex comprising contemporary glass façades and public landscaped terraces. An open atrium connects all six floors with an integrated circulation core housing glass elevators, open stairs and escalators. As design architect, Gensler collaborated with Dong II, architect-of-record, throughout construction.
Gensler won the design and planning competition to create this groundbreaking mixed-use development. The project, led by MESA Housing Industries, Inc., will develop 370 acres, bringing a range of new residential, office, retail and hospitality options to the city and its 14 million residents. The plan also establishes 150 acres of open spaces and parks, including the region’s first theme park. Incorporating best practices around planning, design and sustainability — building around existing transportation routes, maximizing proximity and views to the lake, creating dynamic open spaces — Gensler's concept respects the city’s rich history and culture at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. The master plan concept, The City of Seven Gardens, was inspired by Istanbul’s nickname, “The City on Seven Hills.”