PROJECTS
19 Items

The View at The Palm
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Gensler worked with Nakheel Properties to design a viewing deck overlooking Palm Jumeirah as well as an interactive museum to create a memorable visitor journey

1364ah Lifestyle Center
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Gensler’s design for a vibrant mixed-use development, 1364ah Lifestyle Center, captures Riyadh’s existing essence as foundation for a fast-growing population.

Future Digital Data Systems Data Centre
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Gensler’s Critical Facilities design team was tasked with planning the concept and schematic design for a first-generation Future Digital Data Systems (FDDS) data centre that maximises functionality and bestows an aspirational response.

Luxury Wedding Halls and Spa
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Located in the capital of Saudi Arabia, the Wedding Halls is a luxury mixed-use hospitality development that caters to weddings as well as private and public events.
Emaar Properties Dubai Headquarters
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Emaar Properties headquarters is a world-class facility that reflects the real estate development company’s vision of excellence and goal to empower talent.

The Avenues
Kuwait City, Kuwait
The Avenues is a retail concept inspired by the great cities of the world, offering a signature shopping experience with a network of streets and plazas.

Gensler Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Alserkal Avenue comprises around 40 warehouses that have been converted into galleries, dance studios, artisanal cafes, and more. The neighbourhood nurtures a culture of creativity and offers an ideal community for Gensler’s Dubai office to call home.
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Khalifa Innovation Centre
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sandooq Al Watan (National Fund) is an endowment fund established by the UAE and its local businessmen who aim to give back to the community. Gensler was...
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Al Tayyar Mixed Use
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Based on the success of lifestyle destination developments in the Middle East, Gensler was approached by Al Tayyar Group to create a 3 million-square-foot...

Middle East Mixed Use Project
Each space in this mixed-use project — from the grand entrance to the boardroom, living room, and bedroom — is carefully crafted with strong design...

Confidential Luxury Villas
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This 24,000-square-foot, five-bedroom villa classical Italian style villa offers a contemporary interior, complete with central atrium.

The Marina
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Set along Kuwait’s pristine coastline, The Marina is a landmark mixed-use development in one of the city’s main shopping districts. Anchored by an upscale...

United Real Estate Company
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Working in close collaboration with the United Real Estate Company (URC) executive management team, Gensler developed a brand strategy including identity...

Abu Dhabi Financial Centre
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
After the city identified Al Maryah Island as its new financial center, Gensler created a master plan and comprehensive design guidelines for this...

Marriott Bloom Central
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Abu Dhabi Marriott Hotel, part of the mixed-use Bloom Central development, is designed to inspire and energize. The contemporary and stylish interiors...

National Bank of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
National Bank of Abu Dhabi appointed Gensler to design its new headquarters in the prominent Al Maryah Island, as they planned to demonstrate its intent to...

Saadiyat Island
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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...

Wafra Real Estate
Kuwait City, Kuwait
In relocating its offices to the top five floors in one of Kuwait’s Twin Towers, Wafra Real Estate, one of the country’s leading real estate and development...

Wafra Seef
Al Mahboula, Kuwait
Appointed to design Wafra Seef, Gensler worked closely with Wafra Real Estate to create a retail center unique to the region exuding quality, modern...
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

David J. Calkins
Co-Regional Managing Principal
David Calkins is the Co-Regional Managing Principal of Gensler’s Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) region.

Theresa Sheils
Co-Regional Managing Principal
Theresa Sheils is the Co-Regional Managing Principal of Gensler’s Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) region.
OFFICE LEADERSHIP

Todd Pilgreen
Co-Managing Director, Mixed Use & Retail Centers and Retail & Consumer Experience Leader, Principal
Todd Pilgreen is the Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Middle East offices and APME Regional Practice Area Leader for the Mixed Use & Retail Centers and Retail & Consumer Experience practice areas.

Tariq Shaikh
Co-Managing Director, Principal
Tariq Shaikh is the Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Middle East offices.
LEADERSHIP

José Fainé
Workplace Design Director, Principal
As a Workplace Design Director at Gensler, José Fainé specializes in workplace projects and provides oversight on a number of projects in the Middle East.

Raj Patel
Architecture Design Director, Principal
Raj Patel leads Gensler’s architecture design studio in the Middle East. Raj’s experience across different cultures influences his design approach.

Diane Thorsen
Hospitality Leader, Design Director, Principal
Diane Thorsen is a global leader of Gensler’s Hospitality practice and Design Director based in the firm’s Dubai office.

Steven Velegrinis
Design Director
Steven Velegrinis is the Design Director for Gensler Middle East who established the regional master planning and landscape architecture practice.

Ryan Waltke
Studio Director, Technical Director
Ryan is a Studio Director in Gensler’s Abu Dhabi office who plays a vital role in advancing the firm’s business objectives. As a Technical Director for the APME region, he bring...
NEWS & RECOGNITION

The Future of Retail Design in the Middle East
Gensler’s Todd Pilgreen discusses future-ready retail environments in the Middle East that serve as commercial spaces, as well as urban and cultural anchors that strengthen communities.
August 12, 2025

Findings From Gensler’s 2025 Global Workplace Survey Reflect Demand For Truly Human-Centered Offices in the UAE
Khaleej Times explored why UAE offices need to shift from being visually striking to being truly human-centered. Gensler’s Edith Eddy noted the gap “between what employees need to thrive — flexibility, creativity, and connection — and what their current spaces provide.”
July 19, 2025

Gensler Middle East Wins 2025 Firm of the Year Award
UAP Dubai Design Awards honored Gensler Middle East with the 2025 Firm of the Year Award.
July 05, 2025

The Gulf News Reported That the Majority of UAE Office Workers Want More From Their Workspaces
Noise issues, lack of room availability, and layout efficiency challenges are cited as the biggest concerns. The article explored Gensler’s 2025 Global Workplace Survey research and quoted Senior Interior Designer Edith Eddy.
June 09, 2025

The Times of India Explored What UAE Office Workers Want Based on Gensler’s 2025 Global Workplace Survey Findings
Gensler Senior Interior Designer Edith Eddy says the UAE "has become a global benchmark for ambition and adaptability."
June 09, 2025

Design Middle East Highlights Gensler’s City Pulse 2025 with Insights on UAE Urban Life
City Pulse 2025 surveys urban residents in 65 cities, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The findings reveal that “UAE cities are some of the most admired globally for their quality of infrastructure and ambition.”
May 22, 2025

New Research from Gensler Unveils the Magnetic Forces Shaping Cities — and Why People Choose to Stay
Gensler’s 2025 City Pulse survey examines the emotional and practical drivers of urban migration, drawing insights from 33,000 residents across 65 global cities.
May 21, 2025

InDesign Live Featured a Podcast Interview With Digital Experience Design Leader Robbie Robertson
Robertson, based in Gensler’s Asia Pacific and Middle East region, discussed technology, AI, and human-centered design. Listen to the episode.
May 19, 2025

Design Considerations To Support Neurodivergent Team Members and Provide Flexibility
Principal Greg Gallimore discussed design considerations at Gensler’s San Francisco headquarters. The office’s light, bright spaces foster collaboration while its darker spaces support focused, quiet work.
January 12, 2025

Saudi Projects Highlights Trends From Gensler’s Design Forecast 2025 That Are Shaping a Sustainable Future
Saudi Projects interviewed Gensler Middle East Co-Managing Director Tariq Sheikh about key trends shaping the future of cities and what’s driving change in the built environment across the Middle East in 2025.
December 06, 2024

Construction Week Middle East Spotlights Gensler’s 2025 Design Forecast
Gensler Middle East’s Tariq Sheikh discussed trends impacting real estate and built environment, noting, “we are at a transformative moment in our industry, one that demands groundbreaking ideas and innovative solutions.”
December 05, 2024

Tariq Shaikh Has Been Appointed Co-Managing Director of Gensler Middle East
Shaikh brings over 30 years of expertise in complex, large-scale projects across the mixed-use, retail, and lifestyle sectors in Europe and the Middle East.
September 02, 2024

Theresa Sheils Has Been Appointed Co-Regional Managing Principal for Gensler’s APME Region
Theresa Sheils will partner with David Calkins to drive growth in Gensler’s Asia Pacific Middle East (APME) region.
July 31, 2024

SME10X Interviewed Janet Pogue McLaurin About Gensler’s Latest Global Workplace Survey
The survey ranked the UAE third in a study on how top workplaces boost performance through enhanced employee experiences and strategic locations.
May 20, 2024
INSIGHTS

Blog
Reenvisioning Retail Centres: Lessons From China for the Middle East
We explore how key lessons from China’s retail evolution can reshape the future of retail centres in the Middle East.

Blog
Design as Storytelling: How AI Is Transforming the Way We Imagine, Create, and Connect
AI isn’t here to replace creativity. It’s here to amplify it — helping us move from inspiration to iteration with greater speed and substance.

Blog
Why Modern Hiring Centers Matter in Today’s Competitive Job Market
With thoughtful, strategic design, a hiring center or interview suite can be a valuable asset to attract top talent.

Blog
Designing Workplaces That Work — With Your People
When employees are involved in the planning and design process, the workspaces we create are more effective, engaging, and human.

Blog
The Power of Clean Air in Sports-Centered Design
In arenas, training centers, and stadiums, air quality is not just a comfort factor — it’s a competitive edge, affecting athletes’ ability to train, compete, and recover.

Blog
Debunking 3 Myths About Generational Differences in the Workplace
As generational differences narrow, organizations should focus their workplace strategies across the entire talent spectrum.

Blog
The 20 Cities Attracting the Most Newcomers
New city residents often leave within five years. To remain successful, these magnetic cities must also engage and retain their new populations.

Blog
How the Nighttime Economy Is Rewriting Urban Design
Cities around the world are beginning to take the nighttime economy seriously — not as a separate or secondary system, but as a vital counterpart to daytime urban life.

Blog
What Draws People to Cities — and What Makes Them Stay?
Gensler’s City Pulse 2025 research offers insights into the factors attracting people to cities and compelling them to stay.

Research
City Pulse 2025
Gensler surveyed 33,000 people across 65 cities to uncover what makes a city magnetic — how it attracts new residents and keeps them wanting to stay.

Research
Global Workplace Survey 2025
Gensler’s Global Workplace Survey 2025 reveals the importance of in-person work and insights on how workplaces can be better designed to support all forms of work for individuals and teams.

Sustainability
Resilience by Design
Our Resilience by Design Report presents solutions for transforming the built environment to achieve a net zero carbon impact across our portfolio and the design industry.

Research
Evolving Immersive: The 2025 Immersive Entertainment & Culture Industry Report
Explore the most comprehensive evaluation of the state of Immersive Experience available today, published in partnership by Gensler and the Immersive Experience Institute.

Design Forecast
Design Forecast 2025
Explore Gensler’s Design Forecast 2025, a collection of the top global design trends that are shaping the future of the human experience and the built environment.

Blog
How Immersive Food and Beverage Experiences Are Redefining Hospitality
Food and beverage spaces have unique potential as experiential destinations that authentically convene community in a way that is familiar, universal, and transformative.

Blog
Regional Revitalization: Designing for Impact in the Middle East
Tim Martin, former Gensler Middle East Managing Director and Steven Velegrinis, Gensler Middle East Design Director, discuss designing for the region’s revitalization opportunity.

Blog
Luxury + Convenience: Why Branded Residences Are in Demand Across the Globe
In the residential sector, we’re seeing an increased demand for high-end, branded residences that offer hotel-style services and amenities.

Blog
Ecological Urbanism Is the Future for Cities in the GCC
As more people move to urban areas, it is essential that our urban spaces be designed in a more ecological manner.

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Gensler Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Trade Center Building (Abu Dhabi Mall Offices)
7th Floor, East Tower
PO Box 26967, Tourist Club Area
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 (0)2 696 3400
7th Floor, East Tower
PO Box 26967, Tourist Club Area
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 (0)2 696 3400