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Yanko Apostolov

An accomplished architect and urban designer, Yanko Apostolov is the design leader for NBBJ’s commercial real estate practice in New York. With 19 years of experience working on a range of buildings and master plans across the United States, Europe and Asia, he brings clarity to complex urban issues that resonate with multiple audiences. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in the design of significant public buildings, innovative commercial high-rises and sustainable master plans such as Keppel Tower in Singapore and Taspen Sudirman in Jakarta.

Doug Hocking, AIA

Doug Hocking, AIA, helps guide NBBJ’s commercial architecture and interior design practices both in New York and globally, with a particular focus on adaptive reuse. With over 30 years of experience designing innovative buildings that drive more engaging experiences and resilient futures, Doug has worked with leading clients such as Brookfield Properties, Hines, SL Green and Tishman Speyer on some of the world's most prominent commercial properties.

Given the tremendous scale of ageing office building stock, Doug believes that renewal has a critical role to play in securing the environmental and economic futures of our cities. His work demonstrates that with renewal, less is more—that to reveal character and save embodied carbon, the best approach is to do only what is truly necessary. 

Hocking has led the design of projects totaling over 14 million sf, including 17 high-rises and 5 million sf of adaptive reuse projects. These include landmark commercial buildings in New York, Washington, D.C., and throughout the globe, as well as significant collegiate renewal projects and corporate headquarters. His work has been recognized by the AIA and throughout the industry for its elegant designs that bring out the beauty in structural elements, and for its innovative contributions to sustainability in areas like façade design. 

Doug is deeply committed to advancing the profession, having served for over ten years on Cornell’s College of Architecture, Art and Planning’s Advisory Council while also being a founding member of Council’s Committee on Diversity.  Locally, Doug has served as chair of the New Rochelle Planning Board and sat on the Westchester County Planning Board, and continues to mentor Veterans through the Posse Foundation.

Tim Johnson, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Partner Tim Johnson plays an instrumental role in the leadership of the firm’s commercial and healthcare practices as well as its New York office. With expertise in high-rise design, urban healthcare campuses and the development of creative districts, Tim brings a broad perspective that has helped a diverse range of clients across the US, Asia and other international markets transform their ideas into reality.

For those of us who live and work in cities, it’s a familiar sight—office buildings with empty retail spaces at the ground floor, a side effect of the move to hybrid and online work. Independent retailers and mom-and-pop shops have shuttered at an alarming rate due to lack of office workers in downtowns—and though foot traffic has recovered some, it remains 10 to 20 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels according to research done by McKinsey.  

A growing number of building owners are turning to unexpected tenants to fill these spaces, especially as they contend with a workforce that increasingly seeks more unique experiences and outside-the-box amenities. Instead of chain stores, interactive, community-driven solutions that consider the location, needs and makeup of the neighborhood—and provide mutual benefits for developer, tenant and community—are cropping up across the country.  

Here are a few of our favorite examples of creative uses for vacant retail spaces.

Supporting the Arts: Gage Academy of Art at Amazon’s re:Invent Building – Seattle, WA

Uniting Around a Shared Mission: YouthCare Orion Annex at Denny Substation – Seattle, WA

Accessible Healthcare: Gravity 2.0 Health Clinic – Franklinton, OH  

Cultural Outpost: Museum Pop-Up – New York, NY

Sports and Games: Pickleball Courts at Penn 1 – New York, NY

For those of us who live and work in cities, it’s a familiar sight—office buildings with empty retail spaces at the ground floor, a side effect of the move to hybrid and online work. A growing number of building owners are turning to unexpected tenants to fill these spaces, especially as they contend with a workforce that increasingly seeks more unique experiences and outside-the-box amenities. Here are a few of our favorite examples of creative uses for vacant retail spaces.

Is Your Retail Space Vacant? Here Are Five Unexpected Ways to Fill It.

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