An architect’s perspective on transforming offices into medical spaces in New York City
CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & ENGINEERING Torres of Urbahn Architects receives 2026 Emerging Designer in Architecture Alumni award
(either on-grade or on the roof) may be needed to provide backup power, due to on-site and building constraints. Healthcare offices also need enhanced environmental and safety systems. This includes ad- vanced HVAC systems to ensure air quality and proper ventilation, which is necessary for infection control, and specialized plumbing modifications to accommodate ad - ditional sinks, sterilization rooms, and restrooms. For higher-acuity practices such as emergency care or ambulatory surgery centers, the need for medical gases sup- plied from bottles or an oxygen farm introduces additional safety requirements. These essential in- frastructure upgrades can lead to higher up-front costs, long-term maintenance expenses, and limit flexibility for future tenants, mak - ing office-to-medical conversions a more expensive, specialized real estate opportunity than traditional office leasing. Balancing Circulation in Mixed-Use Buildings Building owners need to bring in architects early to address circula- tion planning, as managing office towers with both traditional office tenants and healthcare providers presents its own set of design challenges. Congested corridors, shared elevators, and crowded waiting areas can create friction between patients, medical staff, visitors, and office tenants. De - signing for improved circulation supports staff workflow for both types of tenants, reduces delays in care delivery, and minimizes conflicts with non-medical tenants. For practices exceeding 6,000 s/f, there is greater demand on shared building infrastructure. Elevators are especially important because they must accommodate stretchers and medical equipment, often needing larger cabs and wider doors. To minimize disruptions and maintain building efficiency, property owners may need to invest in dedicated lobbies or separate elevator banks for medical floors. These considerations help protect the building’s functionality while preserving property value by re- ducing wear and tear due to high
patient volumes.
Al Thompson TPG Architecture
The Key to Navigating Strict Compliance and Regulatory Challenges
When undergoing a healthcare conversion, careful attention must be paid to regulations to ensure compliance with all ap- plicable codes. Compliance often includes several local, state, and federal laws, fire and life safety codes, infection control standards, accessibility standards, and, in many jurisdictions, meeting the FGI (Facility Guidelines Institute) standards, if filing with the Dept. of Health. Integrating legal and compliance teams early in the pro- gramming phases helps proprietors identify potential obstacles, avoid construction setbacks, and secure approvals efficiently. By bringing in the right partners early on, op- erators and owners can ensure the converted building is ready for use once a medical tenant moves in. Neglecting these codes often leads to permit rejections, repeated plan reviews, longer construction times, higher costs, and risks to property value. Evolving Trends in Mixed-Use Healthcare Facilities for Property Managers Manhattan ranks fifth nation - ally in medical office space under construction, reflecting the growing demand for expanded hospital capacity and accessible outpatient facilities. Repurposing neglected office space enables property owners and developers to position themselves uniquely in the market while revitalizing underused real estate for the benefit of New Yorkers. When executed thoughtfully, with careful planning, regulatory compliance, and patient-centered design, office-to-medical con- versions produce vital satellite locations that build upon the city’s healthcare infrastructure, while strengthening long-term property value, improving tenant stability, and reestablishing the building’s strategic position in the city’s com- petitive real estate market. Al Thompson is managing execu- tive and Healthcare Studio leader, TPG Architecture, Long Island, N.Y.
As leasing options for healthcare facilities become increasingly limited, landlords have a great opportunity to redevelop and con- vert underutilized office buildings into prime medical space. At the same time, the growing demand for outpatient and specialized care services is giving property owners the opportunity to update existing buildings and attract more stable, long-term tenants. This is especially apparent in Manhattan, where the limited availability of medical-ready space is pushing asking rents to premium levels, as seen with Extell Development’s Tower on the Upper East Side, which is now asking $100 per s/f or more for ambulatory care facilities. For owners with existing assets, successfully converting these spaces can be costly. Unlike Extell’s ground-up tower, these projects often require significant renovations and compliance with healthcare regulations, safety codes, and facility guidelines. By anticipating these challenges and with careful planning, landlords can turn underutilized office spaces into profitable investments. The Cost of Transforming Infrastructure & Specialized Systems for Clinical Use Typical commercial ceiling heights range from 8 to 9 ft., but some medical office uses require a minimum of 9 ft. or more. Structur- al modifications, whether raising the ceilings or reinforcing floors to support heavy medical equip- ment, are significant infrastructure adjustments that can affect both renovation budgets and timelines. Alongside the spatial dimensions, landlords must also consider the electrical systems involved. Med- ical facilities consume more than 2.5 times the energy of a standard commercial building. These clinics must accommodate high-powered equipment, including imaging machines, surgical lighting, and lab equipment. In some medical use cases, on-site generators MANHATTAN, NY Forte Construction Corp., a general contractor, com- pleted the replacement of three elevators at the 125 th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. subway station in Harlem. The station, completed two months ahead of schedule, ad- vances the Metropolitan Transpor-
Photo by Peter Labrozzi/NJIT Shown (from left) are: Urbahn Architects architectural designer Luiz Castro; principal Ranabir Sengupta, AIA, LEED AP; assoc. principal Nandini Sengupta, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP; assoc. Liliana Torres, AIA; assoc. principal Ryan Bieber, AIA, LEED AP; and marketing assistant Kalla Barranco.
their area of professional practice. “Our goal at the Hillier College of Architecture and Design is to produce creative thinkers, com- petent professionals and engaged citizens who will meet their ethical responsibilities to the environment and to the society in which we live,” said Gabrielle Esperdy, Ph.D., dean and professor of architecture, Hillier College of Architecture & Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology. clinic consisted of a welcoming front desk and patient waiting area, open treatment area, several private treatment rooms for personal care, employee breakroom, storage, and bathrooms. “Empire is proud to help bring another location to the Rochester market for a national leader in per- sonalized high-quality outpatient physical therapy,” said Empire president, Josh Myers. “MVPT - East Rochester will be an excel- lent draw for Country Club Plaza and the new location will reflect MVPT’s ongoing commitment to increasing access to care and building healthier communities.”
MANHATTAN, NY The J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Ar- chitecture and Design (HCAD) at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) recognized Urbahn Archi- tects’associateLilianaTorres,AIA, NOMA with the 2026 Emerging Designer in Architecture award. The award is given to alumni who have graduated within the past ten years in honor of their exceptional professional achievements, com- munity service and contributions to EAST ROCHESTER, NY Empire Com- mercial Construction, a regional general contractor that specializes in turn-key retail, and small-project construction, completed the con- tract for MVPT Physical Therapy. Empire partnered with Cypress Health Partners, as well as archi- tect, Joe Torielli, for design of the over 2,500 s/f buildout for the ex- isting tenant space at 851 Fairport Rd., Suite #19B, in the Country Club Plaza (with Wegmans) to the left of Hertz Car Rental. MANHATTAN, NY International travel, lifestyle and accessories brand TUMI opens the doors to its newly renovated Rockefeller Center store at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on March 31, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the brand in one of the city’s most iconic retail destinations. Originally opened in 2000, the location enters its 26 th year with a full-scale redesign, introducing TUMI’s latest Manifest retail con- cept — an elevated expression of the brand’s evolving vision at the intersection of performance and lifestyle. Spanning 2,080 s/f, the reimag- ined space brings a more immersive, design-forward experience to Mid- town. Signature elements include MVPT - East Rochester is the 33 rd location in New York State and 11 th in the Greater Rochester area. The buildout of the new
Empire delivers MVPT Physical Therapy to Rochester
TUMI debuts renovated Rockefeller Center store
Photo by Adrian Wilson, courtesy of TUMI
bronze titanium Heritage Walls showcasing premium capsules, illuminated podiums dedicated to small leather goods, a bespoke fragrance fixture, and a large-scale digital screen that anchors the environment. In-store monogram- ming — both complimentary and premium — further reinforces TUMI’s focus on personalization and utility.
tation Authority’s (MTA) ongoing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility program and improves access for riders on the A, C, B, and D lines between West and Central Harlem. Forte has long been a trusted partner in Harlem’s transit trans- formation. In 2017, Forte led an elevator replacement and full systems upgrade – electrical, com- munications, fire alarm, plumbing and HVAC – at the 125 th St. and Lexington Ave. station, a critical intermodal hub connecting the 4, 5, and 6 subway lines with Met- ro-North’s Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven commuter rail lines. Forte Construction completes modernization of three elevators at 125 th St.
NEW YORK
16 May 12, 2026
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