Spaces designed to work as hard as your business.
A full-service commercial architecture firm delivering restaurants, retail, offices, mixed-use developments, clinics, and hospitality venues across all five boroughs — from first concept through certificate of occupancy.
Built on the belief that great design is a business asset.
ArcheA Studio is a commercial architecture firm based in New York City, delivering strategic architectural solutions for restaurants, retail spaces, offices, mixed-use developments, clinics, and hospitality venues across all five boroughs and 23 U.S. states.
We begin every commercial engagement with a deep understanding of your business — who your customers are, how your team operates, what your brand communicates, and what success looks like. Whether the project is a restaurant fit-out in Brooklyn or a mixed-use building in Queens, one team manages the full scope from feasibility through certificate of occupancy.
What we design.
Six commercial practice areas, one integrated team. Whether the project is a restaurant fit-out in Brooklyn or a mixed-use tower in Manhattan, the approach is the same — design rooted in how your business actually works, built to code, delivered on schedule.
Dining spaces that create atmosphere and support efficient service.
Restaurant design in New York City demands an architect who understands the intersection of hospitality, brand, and code compliance. ArcheA Studio designs dining rooms, bar areas, open kitchens, and full-service restaurant interiors that meet all NYC Department of Health and DOB requirements. From fast-casual concepts in Brooklyn to fine dining in Manhattan, we translate culinary vision into architecture.
Storefronts that sell before the door opens
Retail architecture is a direct expression of your brand. ArcheA Studio designs storefronts, boutiques, showrooms, and multi-tenant retail environments that maximize customer engagement, optimize circulation, and strengthen brand presence — with full DOB filings for fit-outs across all five boroughs.
Workplaces designed for how people actually work
Workplace design shapes how people think, collaborate, and perform. ArcheA Studio designs offices that balance open collaboration zones with focused work areas, integrate brand identity into the built environment, and meet the practical demands of modern business — tenant fit-outs, base building coordination, and full DOB filing included.
Residential, retail, commercial — one building
ArcheA Studio designs mixed-use buildings that combine uses within a single structure — optimizing zoning lot coverage, unit mix, ground-floor activation, and code-compliant egress. Deep expertise in NYC Zoning Resolution and DOB NOW permitting.
Clinical spaces built for workflow and compliance
Medical offices, dental clinics, urgent care centers, and physical therapy studios. We coordinate mechanical and plumbing engineers for clinical infrastructure and handle all DOB and DOH filings — including infection control and ADA requirements specific to healthcare environments.
Venues that perform under pressure
Hotels, bars, rooftop venues, and multi-room event spaces — atmosphere and code compliance in equal measure. We design hospitality environments that leave a lasting impression while meeting all NYC building and fire code requirements.
Not sure which service fits your project? Start here.
The first consultation is free — a genuine conversation, no obligation.
How a commercial project unfolds.
Every commercial project follows the same six-phase arc — though the pace and regulatory specifics vary by project type, borough, and occupancy classification. Here is what working with ArcheA Studio looks like from the first conversation to the certificate of occupancy.
Discovery & Feasibility
Business objectives, site conditions, zoning constraints, and budget parameters — all established before any design investment is made. We identify obstacles early so they don’t become surprises during permitting.
Schematic Design
Preliminary floor plans, space layouts, and design concepts that translate your brand and operational requirements into architecture — visualized in drawings and 3D before a wall is built.
Zoning, Code & ADA
Compliance with NYC Zoning Resolution, Building Code, energy code, and ADA standards. Occupancy classifications, egress requirements, sprinkler obligations, and any special permits — all resolved before design development begins.
Design Development
Materials, interior finishes, lighting, and full MEP coordination. Brand integration, fixture layouts, and millwork detailing — all resolved and documented before construction documents are produced.
Permitting
Complete architectural drawing set for DOB NOW filing and permit approval. We handle all agency submissions, respond to plan examiner objections, and coordinate with structural and MEP engineers throughout the process.
Construction Admin
Site visits, contractor submittals, RFI responses, and change order management — through certificate of occupancy. Having the architect of record present during construction is what ensures the built result matches the approved design.
What sets us apart.
Brand-driven design — not generic commercial interiors.
Every commercial project begins with an understanding of who your customers are, what your brand communicates, and how architecture reinforces that identity at every touchpoint. We don’t adapt catalog interiors to your business — we design from your business outward.
In commercial real estate, time is money. Lease commencement dates, opening schedules, and investor milestones are real constraints. ArcheA Studio manages the design and permitting timeline aggressively — identifying critical path items early and keeping all consultants coordinated so construction can start as planned.
NYC regulatory expertise — all in-house
Occupancy changes, special permits, landmarks review, DOH approvals for food service, and DOB NOW filings. Commercial projects in NYC face some of the most complex permitting environments in the country. ArcheA Studio handles all of it without outsourcing to separate expeditors or filing consultants.
ROI-focused — design that pays for itself
Commercial architecture is an investment. We optimize usable square footage, reduce construction waste through precise documentation, and make material and layout decisions that hold value over time. The goal is a space that performs financially, not just aesthetically.
One firm, full scope — no handoffs
From feasibility through certificate of occupancy, ArcheA Studio manages the entire project under one roof. No coordination gap between a design architect and a separate architect of record. One team, one model, one point of accountability.
New York City’s commercial real estate market continues to evolve rapidly — with restaurant openings, retail repositioning, office reconfiguration, and mixed-use development driving sustained demand for experienced commercial architects. The quality of your architectural filing directly determines whether your project opens on time or sits in plan review for months.
Every borough. Every commercial type.
ArcheA’s commercial practice covers the full geography of New York City. Manhattan from Midtown and the Financial District to SoHo, Tribeca, the Upper East Side, and Harlem. Brooklyn from Williamsburg and DUMBO to Park Slope, Bushwick, Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint, and Bed-Stuy.
Commercial work extends into Queens (Astoria, Long Island City, Flushing, Forest Hills), the Bronx (Fordham, Riverdale, Pelham Bay), and Staten Island (St. George, New Dorp, Todt Hill) — and beyond NYC into Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and 14 additional states.
Common questions.
The questions that come up most often in commercial project consultations — answered directly. If yours isn’t here, ask us. We’ll tell you the honest answer, including when the process is harder than you expect.
Do I need a commercial architect for a restaurant renovation in NYC?
How much does commercial architecture cost in New York City?
How long does it take to permit a commercial project in NYC?
What is a change of occupancy and when does it matter?
Can ArcheA Studio design a medical or dental clinic in NYC?
Does ArcheA Studio handle ADA compliance for commercial projects?
What boroughs does ArcheA Studio serve for commercial projects?
Let’s talk about what you’re trying to build.
Whether you are opening a restaurant, renovating an office, developing a mixed-use building, or designing a clinic in New York City — the first conversation is free. No obligation, no sales pitch. Just an honest discussion about what’s possible and what it takes.
