2024 Ones to Watch - Innovators in CRE: Robert Fuller, Gensler

Robert Fuller is a global leader of Gensler’s residential practice area and based in the New York office. With 26 years of experience in architectural design, city and regional planning, Fuller specializes in large, complex projects. These include new buildings, building repositioning, office-to-residential conversions, and mixed-use developments. His approach merges macro and micro perspectives, addressing both large-scale urban issues and detailed design considerations. Fuller guides clients in a variety of projects, from greenfield developments to repositioning older buildings. As a key spokesperson for the residential practice, he has been interviewed by The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC, NPR, The Real Deal, Commercial Observer, Real Estate Weekly, and New York Business Journals to name a few publications. He currently manages a studio of 44 design professionals.

Innovative Solution: As conversations surrounding building conversions have grown since 2020, we have seen the demand for building assessment requests increase dramatically. We continuously refine and evolve our assessment criteria and use a proprietary conversion scorecard, which allows us to rapidly assess conversion viability. Ultimately, architects need to get involved to assess from a design perspective, but the scorecard can analyze site context, building form, floor plate, building envelope, and servicing features, giving developers a quick snapshot of how suitable any given building is for conversion. This approach has positioned Gensler as a conversion leader that is now spearheading various high-profile conversion projects throughout the city, including Pearl House (160 Water St.), 111 Wall St., 750 Third Ave., and 219-235 East 42^nd St. – the former Pfizer HQ.

Innovative Outlook: 

There are opportunities for more conversions of all types, especially through government-led policies aimed at increasing opportunities for affordable housing like City of Yes. Conversions create a path for mixed-use development to realize more vibrant and livable neighborhoods. We should think beyond traditional applications for conversions and consider partial conversions, as well as conversion possibilities for mixed-use buildings and neighborhoods—such as buildings that include schools and healthcare facilities, greenspace, senior living, commercial spaces, restaurants, and cultural spaces. These will better serve the diverse needs of residents, workers, and visitors, while also creating a richer and more vibrant city from top to bottom.