Montroy Architecture names Colbert principal

Manhattan, NY Montroy Architecture appointed Leila Colbert, RA, LEED AP as principal, following the firm’s merger with Colbert’s design studio Leila Colbert Architecture. Manhattan-based Montroy Architecture (MA) is a workplace, commercial, retail, hospitality, entertainment and property repositioning architecture and design firm. 

“Leila brings a wealth of design experience and creativity that will enormously benefit Montroy Architecture clients. In particular, her K-12 and charter school architectural and project management expertise as well as residential and workplace design work will allow us to expand in those sectors. I look forward to her continuous contributions to our firm,” said Montroy Architecture founding principal Daniel Montroy, AIA.

MA’s recent work in the greater New York area and nationally include the 90,000 s/f One World Observatory on top of One World Trade Center; U.S. headquarters of Sumitomo and SOCOTEC; offices of TravelClick, PhotoShelter, Publicis Philadelphia, and CLSA USA; repositioning of 30 Broad St. and 160 Fifth Ave., 46-10 Austell Pl. in Long Island City and 1 Milk St. in Boston, MA; Urban Dove Charter School in the Bronx, NY; Wetherby-Pembridge School in Manhattan; The Woodhall School STEM Lab in Bethlehem, CT; Life Hotel New York; and Le Coq Rico and La Brasserie restaurants in New York City.

The firm’s clients include global and regional real estate organizations, corporations and non-profits: Capital Properties, JLL, Colliers, The Durst Organization, Legends Hospitality, Tribeca Investment Group, Vanbarton Group, BLDG Management, Midwood Investment & Development, MDVIP, Publicis Groupe, Legal Services NYC, Downtown Alliance and Ross Stores.

Her current projects at MA include assisting the team in the ongoing feasibility study of a conversion of a large commercial property into a multifamily mixed-use building for a major real estate developer; two office projects for Downtown Alliance; redevelopment of outdoor play areas at the Children’s Learning Center of Fairfield County in Stamford, CT; and several upscale apartment renovations.

Colbert joins MA following a 15-year career that spans executive leadership, design and project management positions at architectural, real estate development and K-12 education organizations. She previously served as senior director of facilities, real estate and construction at Achievement First, a charter school organization with over 40 schools throughout the Northeast; principal of her own architectural studio, Leila Colbert Architecture PLLC; principal at The Fractal Group architecture and property management firm; and project manager at The Durst Organization, where she oversaw design, construction, capital improvement and office fit-out projects. She holds a Master of Architecture degree from University of Colorado and currently serves as the Public Member of the Arts, Culture, Education and Schools Committee of the Manhattan Community Board 4.

Colbert’s design and project management portfolio comprises a cross section of corporate, institutional and residential work, including over 1.5 million s/f of custom design workplaces, pre-built offices and commercial tenant amenities in New York City; the Achievement First Providence High School in Providence, RI; Achievement First Iluminar Elementary and Middle School Expansion, Cranston, RI; Achievement First Linden Middle School in Brooklyn, NY; Achievement First Legacy Elementary School, in Queens NY; Cubby’s Restaurant in Manhattan; Scoops & Pearls restaurant in Bridgewater, NJ; redevelopment and gut renovation of a four-story, historic 205 East 17th Street residential rental building in the Gramercy Park section of New York City; and numerous single family projects ranging from Manhattan apartments to upscale homes in Westchester, NY, New Jersey and Connecticut.