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GlobalShop: Studio V architect discusses designing retail spaces for unusual sites

Principal architect tells audience he sometimes refers to his firm as "the architects of last resort."

March 30, 2011 by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

LAS VEGAS — The principal architect for Studio V, an architectural design firm in New York City, told an audience that he sometimes refers to his firm as "the architects of last resort," during a recent session at GlobalShop titled "Designing on the Edge: Innovative Retail Environments at the Industrial Edge of Cities."

Studio V finds opportunities for retail spaces in areas that clients have a difficult time finding a use for, such as former industrial sites, in underserved, particularly urban, markets, according to Jay Valgora, principal architect for Studio V. The firm focuses on design aspects that bring together big box, wholesale and small local retailers.

"We create value through innovative designs, approvals and entitlements, adaptive reuse strategies and merchandising by bringing together different programs (of retail), and we do it in a highly accessible way, with access to parking and public transportation in these markets," said Valgora.

Anable Basin, an area in Long Island, New York, located along the East River, is one of the projects the firm is currently developing. The site includes a former plastics company and Standard Oil tank farm, and the firm is going to turn it into a sustainable residential community with retail spaces and waterfront parks.

The industrial site faces Manhattan and offers impressive views of the skyline, according to Valgora. Other amenities, such as restaurants and artists' workspaces, will also be featured on floating, anchored barges.

"We're going to create a new destination with a mixed-use sustainable community and a retail edge. We're looking at book stores, art galleries, cafes and other things all knitted into a series of public parks and tall buildings," said Valgora. "The Basin is inspired by Little Venice with the floating boats and barges, as a well as a planned urban beach and a water taxi pier to tie into the street level retail."

Other projects the firm is developing include a former rail yard in Niagara Falls, Canada, which will be transformed into a major retail and entertainment area, and an abandoned railway bridge, which will feature a hotel and conference center, with retail spaces and a museum.