GF55 Architects

08/20/2026

Opal 115, designed by GF55 Architects, celebrated its topping out ceremony in Mount Vernon, NY.

The mixed-use transit-oriented development provides 315 residential units in two connected buildings: an 8-story and a 13-story. The buildings share a base that offers amenities, recreation, community facilities, offices, retail, and parking.

The sustainable development will support Mt Vernon’s growing community with affordable residential units and 290 parking spaces. 5,000 SF of commercial space will be available for local businesses. 13,000 SF of community facility offices and amenity spaces with selected organizations will provide programming for children and teenagers. The recreational facility with basketball court will be accessible to the public. A 24,000 SF courtyard above the garage podium will encourage tenants to socialize and relax while enjoying the outdoors.

Developers: NRP Group
GF55 Partner In Charge: David E. Gross AIA

Rendering Credit (building exterior): Studio Schafer
Rendering Credit (courtyard): Martin Demczyk

08/19/2026

Opal 115, designed by GF55 Architects, celebrated its topping out ceremony in Mount Vernon, NY.

The mixed-use transit-oriented development provides 315 residential units in two connected buildings: an 8-story and a 13-story. The buildings share a base that offers amenities, recreation, community facilities, offices, retail, and parking.

The sustainable development will support Mt Vernon’s growing community with affordable residential units and 290 parking spaces. 5,000 SF of commercial space will be available for local businesses. 13,000 SF of community facility offices and amenity spaces with selected organizations will provide programming for children and teenagers. The recreational facility with basketball court will be accessible to the public. A 24,000 SF courtyard above the garage podium will encourage tenants to socialize and relax while enjoying the outdoors.

Developers: The NRP Group LLC
GF55 Partner In Charge: David E. Gross AIA
GF55 Project Manager: Jesse McKeever, RA
Civil: JMC Planning Engineering Landscape Architecture & Land Surveying, PLLC
Structural: McNamara Salvia Structural Engineers
MEP/Sustainability: Ettinger Engineering
GeoTech: Carlin Simpson Associates
Landscape: Weintraub Diaz Landscape Architects
Accessibility: United Spinal Association
Rendering Credit (building exterior): Studio Schafer
Rendering Credit (courtyard): Martin Demczyk

06/24/2026

GF55 Architects - recognized among Architectural Record's Top 300 U.S. Architecture Firms in 2026.

https://www.architecturalrecord.com/2026-Top-300-Architecture-Firms

Companies are ranked by revenue (in millions of dollars) for architectural services performed in 2025. These data also appear in ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms list, which, unlike our ranking, also includes firms that do engineering exclusively.

06/18/2026

GF55 Architects Executive Partner David E. Gross AIA announced in Crain’s Notable Leaders in Architecture, Engineering, & Construction for 2026.

NYC’s growth depends on bold design and construction. Crain’s Notable Leaders are preserving history, advancing housing, sustainability and community-focused development.

https://www.crainsnewyork.com/recognitions/notables/leaders-architecture-engineering-construction/2026/cny-david-gross/

David E. Gross, executive partner at GF55 Architects, is one of Crain's New York Business Notable Leaders in Architecture, Engineering & Construction 2026.

06/18/2026

GF55 Architects Executive Partner David E. Gross AIA announced in Crain’s Notable Leaders in Architecture, Engineering, & Construction for 2026!

NYC’s growth depends on bold design and construction. Crain’s Notable Leaders are preserving history, advancing housing, sustainability and community-focused development.

https://www.crainsnewyork.com/recognitions/notables/leaders-architecture-engineering-construction/2026/cny-david-gross/

See the full list here
https://www.crainsnewyork.com/recognitions/notables/leaders-architecture-engineering-construction/2026/ #

06/16/2026

OMNIA Properties celebrated the opening of Freeman Residences this month. GF55 Architects was on hand for the festivities!

Located at 183 Chrystie Street in NYC’s Lower East Side, Freeman Residences is a 64,450 GSF mixed-use building. 57 rental and condominium residences can be found above ground floor retail. Special thanks to David Paz, President of Omnia Properties who worked closely with the GF55 team on the façade design & interiors of the 17-story building.

The design solution re-establishes the property’s relationship to the historic Sara D. Roosevelt Park and references the Art Deco era when the park was created. Stepped dormers and cantilevered floors introduce a distinctive profile while arched windows and finely detailed façade elements reference the neighborhood’s historic character. Generous glazing and landscaped terraces connect the light filled living spaces to the neighborhood gardens in the park below.

Developer: Omnia Properties President David Paz RA & Naveh Shuster CEO Moran Shuster
GF55 Architects: Partner-In-Charge Shay Alster AIA, PM Mario Censullo
Project Management: OEHBA, Etai Malihi
Attorney: Adler & Stachenfeld LLP, YuhTyng Patka
Structural Engineer: Engineering Group Associates, Gennady Saratovsky
MEP: Ettinger Engineering
Geotechnical: Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers PLLC – Andrew Pontecorvo
Acoustic: GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc – Gene Bove
Civil: Atlas Technical Associates, Inc.
Expeditor: JM Zoning
Engineering Analysis: Code Consultants, Inc.

06/03/2026

Momentum is Growing Behind Housing Delivery

GF55 Architects Executive Partner David E. Gross AIA recently led a panel at New York State Association for Affordable Housing's Annual Conference - “The Future of Affordable Housing Starts Here!” - focused on emerging technologies for getting housing built.

Last week Governor Kathy Hochul spearheaded a policy reform limiting the scope and scale of SEQRA review. This will streamline the review process and is estimated to get projects into the ground 6 months earlier.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/let-them-build-governor-hochul-signs-legislation-delivers-generational-reforms-make-it-easier

05/19/2026

David E. Gross, GF55 Architects Executive Partner and Joe Apicella, Executive Vice President of MacQuesten Development, deep dive into Development & Design for Westchester County and NYC.

Both leaders and innovators in their respective fields, David and Joe share insight on why building a community must be at the heart of any development and what it takes to positively shape a neighborhood that will impact generations come.

The two are expertly interviewed by Linda Tyler, The Business Council of Westchester's Vice President of Membership and Programs. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BDfqpcEQv/

05/05/2026

“Designed by GF55 Architects, The Re*****on Boys & Girls Clubhouse Features an Innovative Facility to Serve Over 3,500 Children and Teens”

Perfect timing for Westchester Magazine / 914 Inc. to feature GF55's design of The Re*****on Boys & Girls Clubhouse in New Rochelle, New York. The club is hosting their annual gala today and raising funds to support over 12,000 youth across their clubhouses and schools!

Learn more about and support the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle https://secure.givelively.org/event/boys-and-girls-club-of-new-rochelle-inc/be-great-gala

Read Westchester Magazine’s full article about GF55’s design https://westchestermagazine.com/914/remington-club-makeover-new-rochelle/

GF55 Partner-In-Charge: David E. Gross AIA
GF55 Project Manager: Jesse McKeever, RA
GF55 Project Designer: Emily Koustae, EU
Developer: The NRP Group LLC, Forward Thinkers Development
Client: Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle
Photos Credits: Albert Vercerka / Esto



Structural: McNamara Salvia Structural Engineers
MEP/Sustainability: Ettinger Engineering Associates
Civil/Surveyor: VHB
Geotech: Carlin-Simpson & Associates, LLC
Envelope Consultant: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Accessibility: United Spinal Association

Designed by GF55 Architects, The Re*****on Boys & Girls Clubhouse features an innovative facility to serve over 3,500 children and teens.

04/22/2026

Affordable Housing Lottery Launched for Las Raices Apartments in East Harlem, NY.

GF55 Architects designed the four-building development which will provide 78 affordable residential units and a community facility space to be leased to a local non-profit organization. The buildings are located at 101 East 122nd, 303 East 102nd, 338 East 17th, and 505 East 118th.

YIMBY Facebook https://newyorkyimby.com/2026/04/housing-lottery-launches-for-las-raices-apartments-in-east-harlem-manhattan.html

GF55 Partner in Charge: Leonard Fusco AIA
Developer: MDG Design & Construction, Ascendant Neighborhood Development

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Las Raices Apartments, a collection of newly constructed residences in East Harlem, Manhattan.