GFP Development and CetraRuddy to speak at ICF “On the Future of City Living”

Manhattan, NY After the reveal of Wrey, the second office-to-residential luxury conversion by GFP Development and award-winning architecture and interior design firm CetraRuddy, two of its key design protagonists will speak at ICFF “On the Future of City Living.”

Expanding on the International Contemporary Furniture Fair’s theme for 2026, “Common Ground,” the talk moderated by editor-in-chief of Hospitality Design magazine Alissa Ponchione explores “how both the home and the city are changing.”

The panelists include the chief operating officer of Portuguese rugmaker Ferreira de Sá, Ana Granados, as well as GFP’s project executive and design manager, Gregory Ericson. For Ximena Rodriguez, principal and director of Interior Design for CetraRuddy, the public conversation comes on the heels of her team’s selection for Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation’s juried mapping project, Built by Women, and top honors in the Urban Land Institute New York’s 10^th annual Awards for Excellence in Development — both for the major OtR conversion for SoMA at 25 Water St., the widely published and first collaboration between GFP and CetraRuddy.

“From Office Tower to Urban Living: The Future of City Living”

Sunday, May 17: 3:30-4:30pm

ICFF Bespoke Salon

From the organizers: “As New York navigates a post-pandemic shift in how space is used, office-to-residential conversions are redefining the city’s future. This panel dives into a recent residential project in New York through the lens of the team behind it. Featuring voices from design, ownership, and manufacturing, the conversation will explore how an aging commercial structure is reworked into a contemporary living environment. Expect a candid look at constraints, collaboration, and the design strategies shaping one of New York’s most significant residential projects.”

The Panelists:

Gregory Ericson joined GFP in 2018 as a Senior Project Manager to support the construction and development team. He oversees day-to-day management of design and construction for new development and major capital improvement projects. Mr. Ericson has a diverse background with over a decade of experience across multiple disciplines in the real estate and construction industries. Prior to joining GFP, he oversaw the development of a ground-up hotel as well as full building capital, upgrade projects and asset repositioning for a Manhattan developer. Having started his career as a consultant to major New York owners, developers, institutions and designers, Ericson is well versed in New York City codes and zoning. He holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia.

CetraRuddy Principal and Director of Interior Design, Ximena Rodriguez, serves as lead interior designer and project manager for many of the firm’s projects. She brings a global perspective, based on her years of work in Argentina and on various international projects, that transcends any one design philosophy. She has expertise in bringing high design to complex, multifaceted projects of all scales for the residential, hospitality and retail sectors. Her training as an architect forms her methodology, where she develops dynamic three-dimensional solutions that add depth to the firm’s interior design practice. Driven by process and innovative solutions grounded in technical excellence, her projects emanate an architectural clarity coupled with knowledge of materials and finishes. A sophisticated designer, Rodriguez is involved in all stages of programming and space planning and works closely with her clients to develop concept and design solutions that integrate their vision into architecture. She leads CetraRuddy’s interior design group and design team with a collaborative spirit, engaging everyone at each step of the project. She holds a diploma in architecture from the University of Buenos Aires School of Architecture and a postgraduate degree in management from the University of Palermo.

Ana Granados is a business development and operations executive in the international design industry, currently serving as Chief Operations Officer at Ferreira de Sá. She is based in New York City, where she has spent over a decade leading the U.S. expansion of European design brands, establishing their presence and positioning them within one of the world’s most competitive design markets. Granados has worked closely with leading architects, interior designers, and developers, building strategic partnerships and translating European design heritage into successful commercial growth in the United States. Her expertise lies in bridging cultures and markets—adapting craftsmanship-driven brands to the demands of the American design industry without losing their identity. Originally from Granada, Spain, Granados brings a global perspective shaped by her academic background across Spain, Belgium, and France, as well as a master’s degree in international business. Her career reflects a consistent focus on connecting people, ideas, and opportunities across borders. With a deep understanding of both the creative and business sides of the industry, she continues to drive international growth for design-led companies while fostering meaningful, long-term relationships across the global design community.

With a degree in journalism from Ohio University and a master’s in literature from American University in Washington, D.C., Alissa Ponchione has held editor roles at Nightclub & Bar magazine and Hotel News Now, both based in Cleveland, before moving to New York in 2010, where she began with Hospitality Design magazine as associate editor. Since then, as executive editor and editor in chief, Ponchione has helped guide the editorial direction of the magazine and website. Additionally, Ponchione has also been instrumental in organizing HD’s signature events, including the HD Awards, Wave of the Future, and HD Expo + Conference.