2015 Year in Review - Wade Johnson

What was your most notable project, deal, transaction or professional achievement in 2015? After delays and setbacks, the new Glen Cove Ferry Terminal, which will provide ferry services from Glen Cove to N.Y.C., is currently under construction and scheduled to be substantially completed by the New Year. As architect of record for the project, R. Wade Johnson Design has significantly redesigned both the interior and the exterior and value engineered the building to meet evolving city needs and a tight budget administered by the New York DOT. What real estate project, transaction, market trend or product had a significant impact on your industry in 2015? The trend of mixed use hospitality, residential and retail in the ongoing NYC boutique hotel development and construction boom has fueled our continued expansion.  Our most recent projects have been those where the reuse of non-hotel buildings provides a strong sense of space usually creating a one of a kind hotel. Additionally, the pent-up demand and increasing consumer expectations has led to the renovation of existing hotel unique properties to meet the new market standards.  Both of these trends have continued to drive us to expand and consistently seek out top quality experienced staff of talented architects and designers. What emerging trends will drive investment and development in 2016? We foresee continued growth in the hospitality sector in New York City and the metro areas around the country. Spurring this growth is the ever increasing need for developers to keep costs down creating an emerging trend for mid-sized developers to create their own construction company wings. This streamlines the development process while also cutting costs, giving new meaning to the term “fast track construction.” This necessitates a much expanded role and more responsibility for the Architect to assist in leading this newly formed team.