retrofit July/August 2026

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july-august 2026 / / retrofitmagazine.com

Wayfair Opens Large-format Retail Space in a Former Department Store

More Retail Projects

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

JULY-AUGUST 2026 // VOL 17 // ISSUE 4

Feature Projects Welcome to the Wayborhood Wayfair opens large-format retail space in a former department store in the Chicago suburbs.

Peruse innovative retail facilities from across the U.S.: •

• •

Metropolitan Market, Gig Harbor, Wash.

San Francisco Flower Market Van Cleef & Arpels, Bal Harbour, Fla.

•

•

Pullman Market, Historic Pearl District, San Antonio Netflix House, King of Prussia, Pa.

COVER PHOTO: Wayfair retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 42 JULY-AUGUST 2026 // VOL 17 // ISSUE 4

TRANSFORMATION

BUSINESS

12 Invisible to the Eye

34 Jam Session

Precision-engineered systems create predictable outcomes for quality, schedule and costs in luxury retail.

An industrial icon in Chicago is repositioned into Reverb’s musicinspired headquarters.

TRANSFORMATION

30 Gathering Place A grocery and café built within a vintage U.S. Post Office creates a beloved neighborhood hub in Austin, Texas.

COLUMN

8 Point of View Shopping online just got real.

DEPARTMENT

38 Products // View a roundup of the latest materials and systems for the industry.

42 Inspiration // A small retail shop in New York City is repurposed into a Maximalist food-service operation.

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4 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

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July-August 2026 / / VOL 17 / / ISSUE 4 PUBLISHER JOHN RIESTER john@retrofitmagazine.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR CHRISTINA KOCH christina@retrofitmagazine.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS BECKY RIESTER becky@retrofitmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR JIM SCHNEIDER ART DIRECTOR/DIGITAL DESIGN DIRECTOR ERIKA NYGAARD CIRCULATION MANAGER LYN URE lyn@retrofitmagazine.com WEB ENGINEER DEREK LEEDS SOCIAL MEDIA MAVEN ROBIN GRABER ADVERTISING SALES JOHN RIESTER BARRETT HAHN john@retrofitmagazine.com barrett.hahn@gmail.com (919) 641-6321 (919) 593-5318 BETH EMERICH beth@retrofitmagazine.com (781) 710-4745

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Shoppers’ Paradise My parents are in their mid-70s, and they’ve begun the arduous task of cleaning out their five-bedroom house. My brothers and I have taken the toys and books that meant the most to us and given them to our kids. Now, adult items are being passed on to us.

When my dad’s maternal grandmother, Hertha, died in 1989, and the items in her home were split among relatives, my dad took an Art Deco floor lamp. My mom always intended to have it rewired so they could use it in their living room; instead, it sat in my parents’ unfinished basement until recently when they gave it to me. I am not quite the procrastinator my parents are, so when the lamp arrived in my garage—adorned with 35 years of dust and spiderwebs—I started making calls to antique-restoration specialists where I live, Omaha.

Rick Katelman, owner of Katelman Antique Restoration, currently is rewiring and refinishing my great-grandmother’s lamp so I can use it in my living room. Because it had been spray-painted a few times while in my great grandmother’s possession, Rick is finishing it in a deep antique bronze.

The main bulb of the four in the lamp will be replaced with one that is not obsolete. Meanwhile, Rick connected me with a local woman who repairs, relines and recovers lampshades. The lamp’s original shade has a beautiful finial, so I’d like to reuse it rather than buy something new. I have been enjoying every minute of perusing new Art Deco-fabric ideas online!

One of my favorite online home-décor stores—and one of the largest—is Wayfair. In an unusual leap, Wayfair has expanded its online experience into a large-format, brick-and-mortar store in Wilmette, Ill., a suburb north of Chicago. General contractor JT Magen led a gut renovation of an existing Carson Pirie Scott & Co. department store, allowing for new façades, roof, utility systems and services, vertical transportation and all internal finishes. What makes the new Wayfair store special is its interactive spaces, including a café that invites shoppers to stay awhile. Read all about the new Wayfair store in our “Cover Story”, page 16.

Meanwhile, within Chicago’s city limits, a former industrial packaging building at the northern edge of The Salt Shed redevelopment, which repositions the historic Morton Salt complex along the Chicago River, has become the new headquarters for Reverb, the largest online marketplace dedicated to buying and selling musical instruments. Gensler’s design of Reverb’s headquarters demonstrates how adaptive reuse can transform a legacy warehouse into a workplace that reflects identity and encourages meaningful in-person interaction. Read “Transformation”, page 34.

I’ve been wanting to visit The Salt Shed redevelopment since I learned about it a few years ago, and—now that I know there’s an actual Wayfair store nearby—there are no excuses not to visit Chicago, a city I once called home. While my daughter is out of school, a Chicago shopping trip— and tour of my old stomping grounds—is on the docket for us. I hope I’ll find the perfect Art Decoinspired fabric for my great-grandmother’s lamp!

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8 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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206.788.4210 www.modulararts. com

Michel Franck, AIA, is a managing partner and retail sector leader with the internationally active architecture and interior design firm Spacesmith. In “Business”, page 12, Franck shares his experience using precision-engineered systems to create predictable outcomes for quality, schedule and costs in luxury retail.

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Meredith Morton, who writes about construction and design from Chicago, shares the story of a grocery and café built within a vintage Austin, Texas, U.S. Post Office, resulting in a beloved neighborhood hub in “Transformation”, page 30.

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Colum Quirke, a project manager at JT Magen, has extensive experience leading complex retail construction projects across the country, including Wayfair’s first-of-its-kind large-format store in Wilmette, Ill. Read about the complicated conversion of an abandoned department store for Wayfair in our “Cover Story”, page 16.

notes™

The Salt Shed redevelopment repositions Chicago’s historic Morton Salt complex along the Chicago River. With help from Gensler’s Chicago office, Reverb, an online musical instrument marketplace, relocated its headquarters into a former industrial packaging building at the site’s northern edge.

Shane Mathewson, RA, a Gensler studio director and technical director, and Sarah Adams, a Gensler design director, tell the story in “Transformation”, page 34.

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BUSINESS

PHOTOS: Graff, courtesy Spacesmith, unless otherwise noted

Invisible to the Eye Precision-engineered Systems Create Predictable Outcomes for Quality, Schedule and Costs in Luxury Retail

By Michel Franck, AIA

H

ow are streamlined design, fabrication and construction strategies contributing to greater success in new retail installations and retrofit and reconstruction projects? From core-and-shell empty-store spaces to new flagships and storefronts, retail rollouts are benefiting in myriad ways from integrated design and prefabrication. The approach, a subset of the current boom in design for manufacturing and assembly, or DfMA, merges architecture and interior design with the production of store wall systems, displays, fixturing and more.

The results are widely heralded for minimizing costs and time-to-market, yet they also ensure the highest possible levels of precision craftsmanship and retail installation control.

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For global brands that live and die by their presentation to finicky customers—such as in luxury goods and other high-end in-person retail experiences—using prefabrication is a key to their go-to-market strategies. Spacesmith works with various high-end retailers from around the world, and its project teams have applied the techniques from the malls of Las Vegas to the salons of Rodeo Drive to the reimagining of boutique-lined Madison Avenue.

Successful execution of this delivery model relies on close coordination among designers, fabricators, and contractors, paired with a nuanced understanding of how retail brands operate across different markets and environments. One thing

PHOTO: Nevell Group

is clear: Retail owner-developers are best served by architects with experience delivering for a range of brands and locations, balancing the need for consistency and quality with the flexibility required to adapt details, systems, and construction strategies across diverse project types and geographies.

In a typical project, retail “white-box” spaces are marketed with rough floors and ceilings prefitted with all base building mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, sprinkler heads and the like. To this setup, the retailer brings in their own materials, which they manufacture elsewhere and ship or truck to the new locations. Using very precise tools for scanning the existing space dimensions and clearances, the design team can anticipate everything, including precise MEP stub-up locations and ceiling heights for the wall systems.

The team pre-installs framing to receive the finished paneling.

Meanwhile, at the fabrication plant, a parallel installation can be erected to ensure a good fit; the wall systems are made and perfected in the shop, then disassembled and shipped to the store site for reassembly.

A primary advantage is the consistency of the resulting materials and finishes for the custom walls and displays, which can be installed onsite with a very high level of predictability. Preassembled sections of wall panels and displays are fabricated to the exact dimensions and existing surfaces expected. Displays, shelving and store fixturing also can be pre-built and prefabricated in large volumes and stored offsite.

Some retailers produce the interior systems for 10 or more stores at one time. The wall panel installations, however, are always completely bespoke for each location’s unique interior volume, surface shapes, and through-wall MEP and life-safety connections.

A related and successful technique for retailers who prefabricate with very large factories involves a mockup, made with medium-density fiberboard and created within a large factory shop area. The MDF test installation is erected and modified as needed to ensure a proper design; then, the final working MDF mockup is translated into a building information model, which the manufacturer uses to build the assemblies with real materials and prepare them for shipping. (At project closeout, the MDF is recycled.)

Meanwhile, onsite, the contractors are completing MEP infrastructure and connections, readying light fixtures and the like, ready to receive the final wall segments as quickly and accurately as they can be delivered. Some of the connections can be crafted offsite, and many prefab retail projects complete their UL inspections offsite, as well, even in overseas host countries for fabrication, such as Germany, Poland and some in Asia. Still, transport time and shipping and delivery costs must be calculated into the most efficient, sustainable approach.

OFFSITE FABRICATION

“With this approach, you need the skill and manpower to assemble the puzzle,” cautions one store design director with a global jewelry retailer that has been a repeat Spacesmith client for more than six years. “It has to be a highly qualified team, and for the local millwork installation, we’ve learned the

Discovery and troubleshooting happen in the factory and in the process, rather than during expensive contractor time onsite.

selected millwork team needs to have relevant expertise and must attend factory reviews to study the approach and see how everything is assembled to understand the full project scope. This way, they’re immersed ahead of time in the process they’ll execute.” retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 13

BUSINESS

The manufacturers for prefab retail systems are found all over the map, and each has unique capabilities. Although it is typical to fabricate indoor façades offsite, storefronts and other retail settings with exterior walls are harder to accomplish because they have site-specific requirements for structure and waterproofing, for example.

To make these projects flow smoothly and with utmost accuracy, many project design teams work in a BIM environment so the architects, engineers, suppliers and makers are all working on the same 3-D model, which is live 24-7. International retailers may have various project team members working in three different time zones on two continents. A key concern is who owns the BIM model versus who is only allowed to read it.

Retail project teams working on these tech-forward, highly integrated DfMA approaches always expect superior precision in the fabricated chunks and the onsite install. Discovery and troubleshooting happen in the factory and in the process, rather than during expensive contractor time onsite. The shop tools cutting and shaping the MDF and final materials are sharing the same software and process views as the architecture and interior design team. Nothing is lost in translation, as the globetrotting Spacesmith team likes to say.

Where the retail prefab process is well-established, teams report going from store design to ribbon-cutting in three to six months, depending on the store size and complexity.

Fabrication offsite begins before the retail brand even takes possession of its leased location, in some cases.

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COVER STORY PHOTO: courtesy Móz Designs

Welcome to the Wayborhood

Wayfair Opens Large-format Retail Space in a Former Department Store in the Chicago Suburbs

By Colum Quirke

16 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

F

or more than 60 years, Edens Plaza has been one of the Chicago area’s most sought-after retail destinations.

Built in 1956 in Wilmette, Ill., by Carson Pirie Scott & Co., the department store served as the center’s anchor tenant, occupying a 150,000-square-foot, 2-story retail space until 2018. In 2022, Edens Plaza was acquired by WS Development and plans were announced that Wayfair would be taking over the anchor spot to open its first large-format store.

JT Magen led a gut renovation of the existing building, making way for new façades, roof, utility systems and services, vertical transportation and all internal finishes. In

A total of 108 custom laser-cut panels were crafted from aluminum, forming a backlit feature wall that creates a striking front entrance for Wayfair, especially at night.

BEFORE

retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 17

BEFORE/DURING PHOTOS: JT Magen

addition to the interior renovation, the project included an exterior-only expansion of 110,000 square feet to include a plaza, new parking lot, landscaping and stormwater-detention center.

The project team carried out the majority of the work within the constraints of an extremely active shopping complex.

Constant communication, traffic management, and other protocols were put in place to avoid interruptions and ensure the safety of patrons and existing tenants while implementing these complex logistics.

Building out Wayfair’s first large-format store was a special experience and a true collaboration between the entire project

COVER STORY

PHOTO: Wayfair

Wayfair’s triple-height, glass-enclosed atrium and main-entrance skylight required extensive structural work, led by Magnusson Klemencic Associates. team. For customers used to shopping with Wayfair online, the new store brings the brand to life in a new physical format, offering products across home accessories, appliances, fixtures, furniture and more.

DURING

18 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

A New Shopping Experience The new store features several interactive experiences, such as the Dream Center for mattresses, the Design Studio for materials and furniture selection, and displays of fixtures customers can test and review before purchasing. Visitors can also relax, socialize and extend their stay by visiting The Porch, a full-service café with indoor/outdoor seating.

Three vacant, existing retail suites at the east façade of Edens Plaza were removed to make way for the outdoor plaza, which connects to the indoor portion of The Porch. The project team structurally reinforced existing framing within these suites to be able to repurpose them for the Wayfair store.

Removal of partition walls, finishes and services were required so the reinforced steel could be erected.

One of the design features of the Edens Plaza Wayfair space is a triple-height, glass-enclosed atrium. Led by Magnusson Klemencic Associates, extensive structural work was required to demolish the existing outbuildings and carve large interior openings for vertical transportation, the main atrium and main entryway.

The main entrance is lit by natural light from a new roof-installed skylight. This area also houses a 2-story millwork-enclosed display that contains an array of featured Wayfair products. This area required coordination of multiple disciplines, from the steel substructure, the millwork cladding and integrated custom lighting in each bay along with the skylight system. Moving into the atrium, visitors are greeted by a triple-height millwork-clad wall with an inset 20- by 20foot display screen that serves as a greeter and directory for customers, flanked by a set of escalators.

Overcoming Challenges

PHOTO: JT Magen

The existing department store building, constructed out of mass concrete, presented the project team with unique challenges while trying to implement these designed structural upgrades. Structural steel and a mass concrete shear wall were put in place to support the structure before removing the concrete slabs in the large center atrium area.

Connections of steel beams to the mass concrete existing columns and cylindrical column capitals involved fabrication

DURING

of unique round plates, anchored to the column with up to 40 anchors per column. The atrium extension on the roof— comprised of structural trusses—was prefabricated and hoisted for install.

Before the atrium could be installed, the structure’s existing roof was in disrepair and needed to be replaced. The stone ballast roof system required the removal of 100,000 square feet of stone. To expedite this, a vacuum station onsite removed the stone from the roof, where it was loaded into trucks and recycled for use in other industries. A temporary

Clash detection and GPS layout allowed contractors to install systems without conflict. This also ensured maximum ceiling heights and unrestrictive install for the complex lighting systems throughout.

retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 19

COVER STORY

PHOTOS: JT Magen

The new store features several interactive experiences, such as the Design Studio for materials and furniture selection, as well as displays of fixtures customers can test before purchasing.

roof system was installed to keep the interior buildout on track while a new roof system was installed.

After the roofing was complete, the slab removal began, using pre-engineered scaffold with catch decks to safely remove the very large sections of existing concrete. The mass concrete shear walls were constructed from new

Visitors to the Wayfair store can relax, socialize and extend their stay by visiting The Porch, a full-service café with indoor/outdoor seating.

20 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

foundations all the way to roof level, which counteracted the removal of the large atrium. These shear walls also acted as the elevator hoistway for two new customer elevators. Once the project was out of the ground, cold-formed metal framing enclosed the building, making way for installation of all the unique features.

The construction of Wayfair’s exterior spaces, consisting of a variety of different assemblies, also proved to be a complex coordination effort by the project team. Starting with new foundations and curbs around the building perimeter, the team encountered conflicts with abandoned below-grade structures, existing utilities and unforeseen soil conditions.

Each of the situations encountered were unique and required different solutions. Whether it was relocating the building’s main electrical feed or the existing gas connection, down to removal of existing subgrade foundations and basements, each challenge was successfully overcome because of great partners and precise planning.

The exterior façade consists of a terra-cotta rainscreen panel system in the brand’s signature purple, developed and manufactured in Germany and prefabricated to save time on delivery and install. A powder-coated backlit panel system, attached to supplemental galvanized steel, creates a striking front entrance, especially at night when light breaks through the custom paneling design. A total of 108 custom laser-cut

panels were crafted from 1/4-inch aluminum and finished in White AAMA 2605 powder coat, forming the 70- by 40-foot backlit feature wall and giving the façade a sleek, modern appeal. Additionally, three sets of 33 custom-cut geometric panels finished in Purple Matte AAMA 2605 powder coat were stacked and installed at the entrance.

The existing department store building, constructed out of mass concrete, presented the project team with unique challenges while trying to implement designed structural upgrades.

All store entrances are protected by canopies clad in aluminum composite material (ACM) panels in a range of colors, including the main entrance, which matches Wayfair’s signature Wayfair Oak wood grain. The northeast corner and café entrance are comprised of a storefront system with matching white ACM paneling above, thin brick at the northwest side

and slat wall panels at the west entrance that enclose a power utility transformer. The remainder of the building is finished with a plastering system, alternating in white and gray.

For the interiors, BIM was used to coordinate all the MEP services. Through clash detection and GPS layout, contractors were able to install their respective equipment and materials with little-to-no issues in the field. This ensured maximum ceiling height for Wayfair and a clear unrestrictive install for the complex lighting systems throughout.

A Celebration of Décor Special attention was paid to the materials and finishes throughout the store to create a durable but welcoming environment for customers. An extensive millwork package was installed, especially in the impressive center atrium area, where all structural steel, beam rafters and columns were clad in Wayfair’s signature Wayfair Oak wood grain to provide a soft, welcome environment. The sales floor features polished concrete floors with an inlay brass trim, a design developed especially for Wayfair. The millwork accents also are included on The Porch’s serving areas, bar tops, bench seating, outdoor seating and on its custom-millwork divider walls.

Just as Edens Plaza charted new territory by being one of the first shopping malls in the area during the last century, Wayfair’s first-of-its-kind retail environment already is building upon its success in Wilmette with a recently opened second location in Atlanta and more locations to come—for every style, every home.

Retrofit Team

Materials

Edens Plaza Owner: WS Development, www.wsdevelopment.com Tenant: Wayfair, www.wayfair.com

Exterior Metal Cladding: Laser Cut Panels from Móz Designs, mozdesigns.com

Construction Manager/General Contractor: JT Magen, jtmagen.com

Exterior Terra-cotta Rainscreen: AGROB BUCHTAL, facade.agrob-buchtal.de/en

Architect/Interior Designer: Gensler, www.gensler.com

Exterior Lighting: JEDI COMPACT and JEDI Projector from Targetti, www.targetti.com

Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates, www.mka.com

Polished Concrete Floors: Ardex, www.ardexamericas.com

Civil Engineer: Mackie Consultants, mackieconsult.com

Millwork: Wayfair Oak (Wayfair’s Signature Laminate) from Wayfair, www.wayfair.com

Envelope and Waterproofing Design: Walter P Moore, www.walterpmoore.com

Roof System: Carlisle Syntec Systems, www.carlislesyntec.com Atrium Glass: Bendheim, bendheim.com

Lighting Design: HLB, hlblighting.com

ACM Canopy Paneling: Alucobond, www.alucobondusa.com

Landscape Architect: Studio Outside, www.studiooutside.us

Skylight and Glass Façade: Kawneer System, www.kawneer.com, with Glass from Viracon, viracon.com

MEP Engineer: Henderson Engineers, www.hendersonengineers.com

Slat Wall Panels: Geolam, usa.geolam.com Plaster System: Sto Corp., www.stocorp.com

retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 21

R E TA I L

PHOTOS: William Wright Photography

Metropolitan Market Gig Harbor, Wash.

BEFORE

Retrofit Team Architect, Structural Engineer, MEP Engineer and Refrigeration Designer: Cushing Terrell, cushingterrell.com •

Kara Eberle, project manager

•

Alice Wang, architectural project lead

Interior Designer: KMDesign Company (Design Vision), www. kmdesigncompany.com, and Cushing Terrell (Execution Support), cushingterrell.com Fixture Planning: Metropolitan Market, www.metropolitan-market.com General Contractor: Abbott Construction, www.abbottconstruction.com

22 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

Materials The following is a sampling of materials used in the project: Ceramic Tiles: Daltile, www.daltile.com Porcelain Tile: Arizona Tile, www.arizonatile.com Tin Ceiling: American Tin Ceilings, www.americantinceilings.com Quartz Tile: Caesarstone, www.caesarstoneus.com Custom Wood: Hemlock and Poplar Refrigerated Cases: Hussmann, www.hussmann.com/en

The Retrofit Metropolitan Market, affectionately referred to by patrons as Met Market, is a gourmet grocer in the greater Seattle area offering hand-selected food items from around the world and a focus on local flavors, brands and suppliers. Store shelves are stocked with unique treasures beside everyday essentials you’d expect to find in a grocery store—one of many qualities that makes a trip to Met Market a special shopping experience. The Gig Harbor store is part of a recent brand expansion.

The grocer tapped Cushing Terrell’s team as part of its ongoing work providing on-demand design consultation, as well as full design as the brand rolls out store remodels.

Located in the Harbor Plaza Shopping Center in a former retail store built in 1985, the approximately 33,500-square-foot Met Market is a place to shop and gather. The store’s design leverages a foodas-focus approach, conjuring a dining and restaurant experience centered around encounters with food and flavors. Fresh ingredients are featured alongside a vast array of prepared foods, and an island cooking station enables food demonstrations and inspiration. To

reinforce this intent, the store features three distinct seating areas, including a mezzanine space that overlooks the store’s sales floor.

Each of the seating areas features distinct lighting and furniture and décor to create a variety of dining experiences—from a quick meal or coffee break to longer visits with family and friends.

The interior design uses warm wood complemented by the color blue, materials and colors referencing maritime connections of the Gig Harbor community. To align with the shopping center’s existing character, the design preserves and features existing wood beams and columns to showcase the building’s original structural details. The exterior design highlights elements of the Met Market brand while blending seamlessly with the surrounding buildings and retail shops.

In addition to aesthetic improvements, the building required system updates and modernizations. Met Market opted to invest in a new CO2 refrigeration system to help reduce the global-warming impact of its refrigeration systems, and light fixtures featuring lighting controls were replaced with LEDs to help reduce energy use.

BEFORE

retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 23

R E TA I L

San Francisco Flower Market

PHOTOS: courtesy Kenall Lighting unless otherwise noted

Retrofit Team Architect: Jackson Liles Architecture, www.jacksonliles.com Developer: Kilroy Realty, kilroyrealty.com General Contractor (Tenant Improvements): GCI, gcigc.com General Contractor (Core and Shell): Truebeck Construction, www.truebeck.com Electrical Engineer and Lighting Designer: The Engineering Enterprise, www.engent.com Refrigeration Engineer: Pribuss Engineering Inc., www.pribuss.com Mechanical and Plumbing Engineer: Taylor Engineers, www.taylorengineers.com Acoustics Consultant: Salter, www.salter-inc.com LEED Consultant: Argento/Graham, www.argentograham.com

Materials The following is a sampling of materials used in the project: Garage/Stair Screen: Coda Architectural, codaarchitectural.com Windows: Arcadia, arcadiainc.com Door Hardware: Allegion, www.allegion.com High-speed Doors: Jamison Doors, jamisondoor.com Overhead Coiling Doors: Cornell, www.cornelliron.com Paint/Coatings: Sherwin-Williams, www.sherwin-williams.com Tile: Daltile, www.daltile.com Interior Lighting: EnviroPro Low Bay from Kenall Lighting, kenall.com Parking-structure Lighting: SenScape with TekLink Controls from Kenall Lighting, kenall.com

BEFORE

Facility Lighting Controls: Wattstopper DLM, www.legrand.us

The Retrofit The San Francisco Flower Market (SFFM) is the largest wholesale flower market in Northern California and one of only five growerowned wholesale flower markets in the country. SFFM recently moved to a newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility that includes approximately 100,000 square feet for flower vendors.

The renovated facility, formerly a steel-fabrication factory, includes six different buildings constructed between 1906 and 1940 with various structural systems and ceiling heights. Kilroy Realty, the project’s developer, repurposed the six structures, reducing embodied carbon while preserving key architectural features, such as daylighting and historic structural systems. The market complies with San Francisco’s Green Building Ordinance and is LEED Gold certified.

24 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

BEFORE

BEFORE PHOTOS: Craig Oty, IALD, The Engineering Enterprise

Metal Siding: Morin, morincorp.com

PHOTO: Eric Rorer Photography

The renovation involved an all-encompassing seismic upgrade; the creation of more than 30 individual stalls for flower vendors; and construction of a new partial second story, concrete parking structure and loading dock that doubles as an outdoor marketplace with room for 25 commercial vans.

The interior is designed as a calm, neutral backdrop that allows the color, texture, and natural presence of flowers to provide a strong biophilic connection for occupants and visitors. Daylighting studies informed the design, using clerestory glazing to distribute natural light deep into the market while minimizing glare and reducing reliance on artificial lighting.

The lease required the lighting be a minimum of 50 foot-candles and 90+ CRI. Additionally, because of the structure’s tremendous size and large loading-dock doors, birds often fly into the warehouses, typically looking to roost, including on top of luminaires. The Engineering Enterprise’s Craig Oty, IALD, senior lighting designer, and Britney Caldwell, designer, created a unique lighting solution to address these challenges. Oty and Caldwell wanted to provide SFFM with long-lasting, virtually maintenance-free light fixtures and specified low-bay luminaires. As a bonus, the fixtures’ rounded tops deter birds from roosting.

One-hundred-twenty-three 12-, 16- and 22-inch-diameter low-bay luminaires, which deliver TM-30 color fidelity—Rf of 92 and a saturated Rg of 104, exceeding 90 CRI—were installed. Additionally, the highlumen output provides required light levels, including up to 11 percent uplight, creating a sense of openness and improving visual balance at every surface. The quantity of luminaires also eliminates shadowing and the unpleasant cave effect. retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 25

R E TA I L

PHOTO: courtesy Pulp Studio

Van Cleef & Arpels Bal Harbour, Fla. Retrofit Team Architect: Design Republic, www.designrepublic.us.com Structural Engineer: NV5, formerly Bromley Cook, www.nv5.com/ bromley-cook

Materials The iconic French jewelry brand Van Cleef & Arpels required a bespoke glass façade for its location in the Bal Harbour Shops, which attracts global socialites, fashionistas and celebrities.

The entryway features a stunning gold façade that is adorned with live flowers and greenery. The glass fabricator used a complicated, multi-layer metallic fabric that illuminates the exterior of the building in shimmering gold. Of the 26 pieces of glass used for the project, four featured a black D2G border. The following glass specifications were used to create the exterior: 1/4-inch low-iron heat-strengthened, .060 Clear SGP, .060 Clear SGP, 1/2-inch low-iron tempered, .120 Clear SGP and 1/2-inch low-iron heat-strengthened.

Glass: SLIMPACT by Faour Glass, faourglass.com/slimpact, in partnership with Pulp Studio (Fabricator), www.pulpstudio.com

26 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

Pullman Market

PHOTOS: Casey Dunn

Historic Pearl District, San Antonio Retrofit Team Architect: Clayton Korte, claytonkorte.com •

Sam Manning, AIA, partner

•

Stephen Williams, AIA, architect

•

Amy Smith, AIA, architect (former)

•

Michael Maddox, AIA, architect (former)

General Contractor: Joeris, joeris.com Interior Designer: Joel Mozersky Design, joelmozersky.com Landscape Architect: Word + Carr Design Group, www.wordandcarr.com Structural Engineer: Lundy & Franke Engineering Inc., www.lundyfranke.com MEP and Lighting Engineer: Glumac, glumac.com Civil Engineer: Pape-Dawson, www.pape-dawson.com

Materials Visitors are drawn into the market’s vibrant atmosphere via light-filled patios created by infill between structural elements that connect to the rest of the Pearl District’s bustling pedestrian experience. Inside, a set of uniquely designed spaces showcase the products of more than 150 Texas-based suppliers—all located within 100 miles of the market—resulting in a rich tapestry of distinctly Texan textures, flavors and aromas.

“Collaboration with bakers, butchers, baristas, chefs and fishmongers was at the heart of the design process,” explains Architect Sam Manning. “Each artisan had a hand in shaping the space with the owner’s chefs, department managers and bar managers working closely with the design team to display—front and center—the process each artisan undergoes for their craft. It is truly special to witness and learn from these craftspeople as they create their culinary masterpieces, a testament to the power of collaboration and the art of craftsmanship.”

The newly invigorated building features original clay tile and polished concrete floors while the former loading dock has been transformed into a light-filled courtyard. The roof was upgraded for energy performance, and new low-E insulated windows reduce heat gain.

The building’s unusual shape informed the layout. “It starts to get weird and funky in some places, so we tried to react to that,” Manning notes. “Double-height spaces were created for key entry points, supporting natural wayfinding and wow-factor moments.”

Indoor plants form pockets of greenery that catch the eye and play to the humility of the original materials and grandeur of the place. Varied materials, graphics, lighting, architecture and branding converge to create distinct moments that celebrate Texas.

The Retrofit Set within the historic Samuels Glass building, Pullman Market offers a symphony of sensory delights that invite visitors to embark on a journey of Texas bounty. The design preserves the nearly 54,000-square-foot building’s shell and structure, eliminating tons of waste from local landfills, while revealing the building’s hard-won patina and adding to the historic and cultural fabric of its context.

Pullman Market is the latest building to be reworked by Clayton Korte, who has been working on the Pearl District’s renaissance since 2013. Previous work includes the design and restoration of Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery (read retrofit’s story at bit.ly/ 49qjKGJ) and Stable Hall (read retrofit’s story at retrofitmagazine. com/hospitality-entertainment-projects-2/5). retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 27

R E TA I L

PHOTO: Netflix House

Netflix House King of Prussia, Pa. Retrofit Team Architect and Interior Designer: Gensler, www.gensler.com Construction Manager: JT Magen, jtmagen.com Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates, www.mka.com MEP and Acoustical Engineer: Henderson Engineers, www.hendersonengineers.com Retail Designer: Lumsden Design, lumsdendesign.com Kitchen Consultant: Cinilittle, cinilittle.com

The Retrofit Netflix House, a first-of-its-kind venue, is a permanent, free-to-enter destination where fans can play, eat and shop their favorite Netflix stories beyond the screen, year-round.

Netflix House Philadelphia was built in the more than 100,000-square-foot, 2-story space formerly occupied by a Lord & Taylor department store at the King of Prussia mall.

Named one of TIME magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places 2026”, each Netflix House (there is another in Dallas) features a variety of complimentary and paid activities; games and immersive experiences; as well as a restaurant, shop, photo opps and more. Everything inside is inspired by some of Netflix’s most popular shows and movies,

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including “Wednesday”, “Stranger Things”, “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Bridgerton”. Netflix House will regularly update its offerings based on what’s popular on-screen.

Guests begin their journey at each location through a Red Envelope-inspired entrance, a nod to the company’s DVD-by-mail roots. Each building’s exterior features vibrant murals, created by local artists, that showcase a unique mash-up of favorite Netflix characters. An expansive atrium lets guests explore larger-than-life art installations and photo opportunities inspired by beloved characters and stories.

Visitors can shop the Netflix store with exclusive merchandise and dine at Netflix BITES, a casual, full-service restaurant with elevated comfort food and cocktails but with entertaining twists playing on popular Netflix shows and movies. Ticketed experiences include hourlong immersive offerings and shorter gameplay, as well as a Virtuals VR Studio. Netflix House Philadelphia also includes The TUDUM Theater, which seats 229 guests for screenings, special events, live sports and more.

“Netflix House was unique in that there was coordination with vendors you don’t typically see in standard retail construction—stage crews, scenic vendors, large-scale displays and graphics vendors,” notes Peter Levine, a project manager at JT Magen who oversaw the King of Prussia buildout. “JT Magen collaborated with project vendors on different aspects to meet the Netflix team’s needs. Such a high-level of craftsmanship, talent and imagination went into these spaces, and it was fulfilling to see the final outcome after so much preparation.”

RETROFIT MAGAZINE

METAMORPHOSIS AWARDS The 2026 Metamorphosis Awards Be recognized by retrofit for your outstanding work retrofitting commercial, industrial, institutional and residential buildings!

Submissions now are being accepted to enter our eighth-annual Metamorphosis Awards, honoring architects, designers and contractors for excellence in renovation, retrofits and more.

CATEGORIES • • • • •

Whole Building Historic Exterior Interior Residential

• • • • •

Mixed Use Multifamily Adaptive Reuse Addition WILD CARD: A creative improvement to an existing space/feature that doesn’t fit in the other categories.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: July 17 Learn more at www.retrofitmagazine.com/metamorphosis-awards.

VIEW THE 2025 WINNERS AT

www.retrofitmagazine.com/category/2025-awards.

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

Gathering Place A Grocery and Café Built within a Vintage U.S. Post Office Creates a Beloved Neighborhood Hub

PHOTOS: Likeness Studio unless otherwise noted

By Meredith Morton

I

n Austin, Texas, commercial and residential architecture and design firm Side Angle Side recently transformed a large portion of a long-vacant U.S. Post Office building into a community’s beloved specialty market, Tiny Grocer, and casual dining bistro, Tiny Grocer Café. The 10,000-square-foot shell building conversion was designed by THOUGHTBARN and includes an independent bookstore, pizzeria and a Pilates studio; Tiny Grocer/Tiny Grocer Café is the building’s anchor tenant.

Tiny Grocer Owner and Entrepreneur Steph Steele’s desire for a community hub was an important piece of the concept behind the second iteration of Tiny Grocer—the first of which opened in Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood in 2021. For this second location, Steele wanted a space that could provide ample seating and a location that could foster community,

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providing a neighborhood gathering place. Her requirements were met within the vacant Mid-century post office in Hyde Park, one of Austin’s older, established neighborhoods.

The one-year renovation led by Side Angle Side architects and co-founders Annie-Laurie Grabiel and Arthur Furman reimagined 3,500 square feet of the post office building, circa 1967, into the specialty market, wine bar and café, as well as added 1,500 square feet of outdoor dining.

“The beauty of repurposing a post office is the central location post offices have historically occupied within neighborhoods,” Grabiel notes. “This established neighborhood has so many people walking and riding their bikes that the space became a natural community center. We didn’t want to erase that; just reimagine it.”

What was previously an asphalt loading area for the post office now is an outdoor café and wine garden, featuring an antique red brick patio and cast-in-place concrete banquette, as well as live oak trees, a steel trellis and greenspace.

A Natural Connector

BEFORE

retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 31

BEFORE PHOTOS: courtesy Side Angle Side

The original scope was the grocery store and indoor café but during the schematic-design process, Steele requested adding the dining courtyard. What was previously an unsightly asphalt loading area for the post office now is an outdoor café and wine garden, featuring an antique red brick patio and castin-place concrete banquette, as well as live oak trees, a steel trellis and greenspace.

The architects added a stucco restroom building on one side and a linear steel planter on the other to turn the former loading area into an outdoor room and provide separation from the car park.

Working closely with Steele on the interior, design finishes hint at the building’s Mid-century past. The large, centered bar features terra-cotta tile across the front, topped with gray and white quartz countertops. The architects exposed the original ceiling and open web joists,

adding metal decking and industrial lighting. The team chose to keep and polish the existing concrete floors leaving the weathered imperfections and patched grooves amassed over time. A custom, built-in leather banquette by Undercover Austin Upholstery lines the length of the back wall for bistro dining inside the café. Intricate mercantile shelving and

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

bar millwork cap the space. Meanwhile, the back-of-house includes a thoughtful layout for kitchen, office, storage and bar equipment.

“The Hyde Park U.S. Post Office had been an important neighborhood hub since the 1960s, so we were especially careful to keep the integrity and spirit of the Mid-century utilitarian design. As the anchor tenant in the space, Tiny Grocer continues to be the center of the community, a place to gather, shop, eat and drink,” Furman says.

BEFORE

32 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

The building’s Mid-century past is hinted at with the bar’s terra-cotta tile and gray and white quartz countertops. The team polished the existing concrete floors leaving their weathered imperfections.

PARKING TINY GROCER - HYDE PARK A B C D E F G H J K L M N

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PHOTO: Mackenzie Smith Kelly

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Owner Steph Steele wanted a space that could foster community.

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DELIVERY ENTRY

A Strong Vision For Grabiel and Furman, historic preservation and rehabilitation projects offer more than a vintage canvas, they are also far more sustainable than building from scratch. The notion of reusing materials to reduce the burden on current resources is central to Side Angle Side’s philosophy of sustainable design.

“We think the most sustainable thing an architect can do is to reuse an existing building and give it another life,” Furman says.

Materials pulled from the former post office preserve its character.

Retrofit Team Architect and Interior Designer: Side Angle Side, www.sideangleside.co Structural Engineer: Creative Engineering, www.crea-eng.com Electrical Engineer: ATS, ats-engineers.com Builder: Archive Properties, www.archiveproperties.com Building Shell Architect: THOUGHTBARN, thoughtbarn.com Landscape Designers: Side Angle Side, www.sideangleside.co, and Wild Heart Dirt, www.wildheartdirt.com Custom Cabinet and Banquette Builder: Mike Wallgren, (512) 585-0891 Owner: Steph Steele, tinygrocer.com Materials Industrial Lighting: BellaLuce Industrial Warehouse Pendant from AQLightingGroup, aqlightinggroup.com

Materials pulled from the former post office preserve its character. Reclaimed brick appears on the patio floor and building façade. Inside, the original concrete floors were exposed and polished. The original roof structure is exposed and painted; acoustical plaster ceiling clouds are dropped over the deli and coffee bar. Outside, gray stucco was chosen for the façade to create a subtle backdrop to the courtyard while wood, steel and original brick provide accents.

“We absolutely loved working on this project. When a client has a strong vision, our job is to embrace that dream and usher it into reality,” Grabiel says. “This was very much the case with Steph and Tiny Grocer. We could not be prouder of the results.”

Black Cone Lighting: Johnston 1-light Dimmable Integrated LED Single Pendant from All Modern, www.allmodern.com Track Lighting: Juno, juno.acuitybrands.com Exterior Dining Chairs: Portofino from Isimar, www.isimar.es/en/ portofino-chair Custom Tables: Second Chance Custom, www.secondchancecustom.com Cabinet Paint Color: Dunmore Green from Benjamin Moore, www.benjaminmoore.com Terra-cotta Tile: Monrovia Red from Seneca Tiles, senecatiles.com Subway Tile: Daltile, www.daltile.com Quartz Countertops: Rugged Concrete (Gray) and Fresh Concrete (White) from Caesarstone, www.caesarstoneus.com

retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 33

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

PHOTOS: Gillian Fry/Gensler

Jam Session

An Industrial Icon Is Repositioned into Reverb’s Music-inspired Headquarters

By Shane Mathewson, RA, and Sarah Adams

A

s organizations continue to reevaluate the purpose of the office, many are finding that the most effective workplaces offer something employees cannot replicate remotely: connection, experience and a strong sense of identity. For Reverb, the largest online marketplace dedicated to buying and selling musical instruments, its new Chicago headquarters needed to function as more than an office. It needed to support collaboration, music-making and community while reinforcing the company’s connection to Chicago’s music scene.

That opportunity emerged within The Salt Shed redevelopment, the repositioning of Chicago’s historic Morton Salt complex along the Chicago River. Located inside a former industrial packaging building at the northern edge of the site, Reverb’s headquarters demonstrates how adaptive reuse can transform a legacy warehouse into a workplace that supports operational and cultural goals.

Originally designed for industrial storage and processing, the building presented common adaptive-reuse challenges but also offered strong architectural character and structural

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integrity. Exposed brick, timber ceilings, warehouse wood flooring, and original industrial detailing aligned closely with Reverb’s identity and the broader character of the Morton Salt campus. The design team used these conditions to inform the workplace strategy.

BEFORE

Exposed brick, timber ceilings, warehouse wood flooring and original industrial detailing aligned with Reverb’s identity and was used by the design team to inform the workplace strategy.

Reprogramming the Industrial Framework The project centered on transforming the building from a single-purpose warehouse into a multifunctional environment capable of supporting a modern workplace. Instead of imposing a conventional office layout, the design introduces a layered mix of workspaces, hospitality environments, and music-focused amenities that offer flexibility and connectivity.

The headquarters is organized around a central gathering hub that functions as a coworking café during the workday and transitions into an event and performance venue after hours. Within the building’s primary 2-story volume, a new mezzanine overlooks an indoor stage, recording studio and practice rooms, reinforcing visual connectivity between work and performance spaces.

This flexible approach allows employees to move between focused work areas, informal gathering zones and music-oriented spaces throughout the day.

Circulation and Connectivity The Reverb headquarters spans two of the campus’ four contiguous buildings, creating a unique adaptive-reuse challenge.

Under the 2019 Chicago Building Code, the structures were classified as different construction types, Type IIIA and Type IIIB, with varying fire-resistance requirements and existing masonry fire walls separating the buildings. One structure extended across 2 stories while the adjacent volume was single-story, limiting direct connectivity to the ground floor.

Rather than treating those constraints as obstacles, the design team used them to shape a more intentional circulation strategy. The introduction of a mezzanine allowed the second floor of the larger building to extend into the adjacent double-height volume, creating a stronger visual and physical connection between the two structures. Strategically placed fire-rated openings within the existing brick walls established a continuous circulation path across the upper level while preserving the rhythm and integrity of the original industrial architecture.

Accessibility and movement through the complex were also central to the retrofit strategy. Four ramps were incorporated throughout the project to address varying floor elevations and provide an inclusive experience for employees, artists and visitors moving between spaces.

Reception is positioned adjacent to the building’s primary stair and elevator, creating a clear and intuitive point of arrival.

That stair also serves concert attendees exiting a separate rooftop venue deck, requiring careful coordination between the Assembly occupancy associated with the music venue and the Business occupancy of the office environment. To maintain required separation, the entry walls and doors to Reverb’s office were designed as fire-rated assemblies. Rather than allowing those elements to feel purely utilitarian, the team introduced a series of small portal windows into the rated doors, bringing transparency and visual connection to the entry sequence while maintaining code compliance and cost efficiency. retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 35

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

Retrofit Team Architect: Gensler, www.gensler.com •

Sarah Adams, design director

•

Sarah Leininger, senior designer

•

Shane Mathewson, technical director

•

Randy Roucka, design manager

•

Adam Newman, project architect

•

Em Meurer, brand designer

•

Leticia Murray, design brand manager

•

Hey J Min, brand designer

•

Eric Gannon, principal

Structural Engineer: Forefront Structural Engineers Inc., www.forefrontstructural.com MEP Engineer: IMEG, imegcorp.com General Contractor: Skyline Construction, www.skylineconstruction.build/locations/illinois Audiovisual: Hamilton Robson, hamiltonrobson.com Lighting Designer: Schuler Shook, schulershook.com Acoustical Consultant: Shen Milsom & Wilke Inc., www.smwllc.com Real-estate and Third-party Project Manager: Cushman & Wakefield, www.cushmanwakefield.com Furniture Dealer: Office Revolution, office-revolution.com Food-service Consultant: Jacobs Doland Beer, www.jdb.nyc Materials Acoustic Solutions: METALWORKS from Armstrong World Industries, www.armstrongceilings.com Ceilings: Rulon International, rulonco.com Drapery: Rose Brand, www.rosebrand.com Carpet Tile: Interface, shop.interface.com, and Gleam from Modulyss, www.modulyss.com Wallcovering: AiNO, shopaino.com Glass Film: Solyx from Decorative Film, www.decorativefilm.com Plastic Laminate: Wilsonart, www.wilsonart.com/laminatesurfaces Wood Veneer: Oakwood Veneer Co., oakwoodveneer.com Lighting: Pablo, www.pablodesigns.com; A-N-D, a-n-d.com; and DCW éditions, dcw-editions.com/en-us Glazing System: Infinium, www.infiniumwalls.com Glass Block: Quality Glass Block & Window, www.qualityglassblock.com Furniture: norr11, norr11.com; Sancal, sancal.com/en; Andreu World, andreuworld.com/en; and BluDot, www.bludot.com Perforated Metal: McNichols, www.mcnichols.com Banquette: Emblem, www.emblembuilt.com

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Existing floor conditions were similarly leveraged to support new forms of use. In the reception area, a raised platform along the window line was transformed into a ramped coworking and listening lounge, converting an industrial remnant into an informal gathering space. Together, these interventions improve circulation, visibility and accessibility while preserving the layered character of the original building.

Systems and Acoustic Performance Integrating modern building systems into the historic structure was central to supporting the project’s diverse mix of functions. Office environments, performance spaces, and music production areas each require distinct environmental and acoustic conditions, making systems coordination a defining component of the retrofit strategy.

Acoustic performance was critical given the adjacency of focused workspaces to active music-oriented programming.

Recording studios and practice rooms required high levels of sound isolation while surrounding office areas needed controlled ambient noise levels that could support concentration and collaboration. Acoustic treatments were integrated into partitions, ceilings, and furnishings to manage reverberation and sound transfer without compromising the openness and industrial character of the space. Within the recording studio, a raised-access floor system was introduced to fully isolate the room from adjacent spaces and minimize vibration transfer.

Mechanical systems were similarly designed around flexibility and independence. Zoned HVAC systems allow office environments, recording spaces, hospitality areas, and event venues to operate simultaneously while maintaining occupant comfort and acoustic performance across varying use conditions. This level of systems coordination enables the workplace to transition seamlessly between daily operations and after-hours programming.

The retrofit also included targeted envelope interventions to improve daylight access and strengthen the building’s relationship to the surrounding Salt Shed campus. Four new window openings, each measuring 8-feet wide by 10-feet high, were introduced within the amenity space to bring natural light deep into what was previously a largely windowless interior.

Because the building is designated as a Chicago Landmark, the new assemblies were carefully designed to match the proportions and detailing of the original windows used throughout the broader redevelopment.

Introducing these openings required significant structural coordination. The existing masonry wall did not meet current lateral wind-load requirements under today’s code, so the design team selectively sawcut the concrete masonry

units flanking each opening and infilled them with reinforcing steel and grout. This intervention effectively created a series of reinforced structural columns within the wall assembly, allowing the upgraded façade to satisfy contemporary code requirements while preserving the character and continuity of the historic exterior.

Preserving Structure and Character A defining aspect of the project was the decision to preserve and expose much of the building’s original structure and materiality. Existing warehouse wood flooring, exposed brick, timber ceilings, industrial sliding fire-shutter doors and original salt pipe chutes remain visible throughout the workplace, reinforcing the building’s industrial history.

New interventions were inserted carefully within the existing shell rather than replacing or concealing historic elements. Material selections complement the industrial architecture while introducing a more refined workplace environment. Illuminated glass blocks, mirrored finishes and warm-wood tones create contrast without competing with the original structure.

Rather than relying on overt graphic applications or literal displays of instruments, references to music are embedded more subtly through materiality, lighting and spatial experience. Elements inspired by vintage instruments and audio equipment informed the project’s textures and detailing, helping the workplace feel connected to music culture without becoming overly branded.

Extending the Life of an Industrial Landmark The retrofit of Reverb’s headquarters illustrates how adaptive reuse can transform industrial infrastructure into specialized, future-oriented workplaces. By preserving the building’s historic structure while introducing targeted spatial and systems interventions, the project creates an environment that supports flexibility, cultural engagement and long-term adaptability.

As companies continue to seek workplaces that reflect their identity and encourage meaningful in-person interaction, projects like Reverb’s headquarters demonstrate the value of reuse not only as a sustainability strategy, but also as a way to create workplaces with authenticity, character and a strong connection to place.

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Reflective Architectural Glass Offers Privacy

Stone Palette Embraces the Sea, Sand and Sun With Summer here, Antolini, an Italian natural-stone brand, invites architects, designers, and homeowners to explore a new seasonal palette inspired by the colors of sea, sand and sun. Each slab is selected not only for its aesthetic character, but also for its capacity to become part of an architectural vision. The Antolini Exclusive Collection embodies this approach at its highest level. Born from the company’s continuous exploration of the world’s most extraordinary quarries, the collection brings together rare and distinctive stones chosen for their color, texture, movement and architectural potential. These materials are meant to be defining elements in a project, capable of transforming interiors through presence, depth and natural beauty.

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38 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

Pilkington North America, part of NSG Group, has launched Pilkington Reflite Vista, a new surface No. 1 reflective architectural glass designed to meet the growing demand for privacy, visual comfort and modern aesthetics in commercial building applications.

Engineered with a durable pyrolytic coating positioned on surface No. 1, Pilkington Reflite Vista provides solar control while optimizing exterior reflectance and significantly reducing interior light reflectance when compared to conventional reflective glass configurations. The result is a glass solution that offers enhanced daytime privacy from outside observers while improving the visual experience from the interior. Compatible with Insulating Glass Unit configurations, the product’s low solar heat gain can result in energy cost savings.

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Surface Material Is PVC-free Matter Surfaces has introduced Verlune Arbor, a PVC-free surface collection that marries leading-edge performance with eco-conscious materials and sustainable craftsmanship. The designs feature a Food Grade 5 base layer, made from chalk and food-safe polypropylene, which is used in yogurt cups and baby bottles.

Free of phthalates, plasticizers, solvents, heavy metals and chlorine, the six-piece collection is available in Wide Planks—10 by 51 inches—in Artisan Oak, Golden Canyon Oak, Heritage Autumn Oak, Heritage Spring Oak, Regal Amber Oak and Regal Pearl Oak. The durable surface collection is UV- and scratch-resistant, dimensionally stable, allergy-friendly, waterproof, antibacterial and quiet underfoot.

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Porcelain Raised-access Floor Looks Like Concrete

Wood Surfaces Are Designed for Visual Impact WVH, a global provider of premium wood surfaces, has marked its official entry into the hospitality market. Drawing on a 50-year legacy of elite wood craftsmanship for iconic luxury automotive and marine brands, WVH introduces a high-performance portfolio of spec-ready architectural surfaces and custom capabilities for hospitality environments. Designed for visual impact, warmth and durability, these nature-inspired, multisensory surfaces offer a solution for a wide range of applications—from hotel lobbies and guest suites to restaurants, lounge interiors and more. Among its releases is a collaboration with international artist Alfonso Verduzco, ALMA—meaning “soul” in Spanish.

ALMA offers a dramatic, nature-inspired alternative to traditional wallcoverings. Combining artisan materials, like copper, lava stone and obsidian, with precision manufacturing, the collection introduces striking architectural depth to feature walls, reception areas and dining environments.

www.thewoodveneerhub.com

Tate Access Floors, a provider of raised-access flooring systems, has expanded its finish portfolio with an updated Porcelain line, offering the timeless look of poured concrete with the performance and versatility of porcelain. Designed for high-traffic commercial environments, the Porcelain line delivers visual impact, long-term durability and compatibility with Tate’s modular flooring system.

The Porcelain tiles replicate the texture and effects of the rocks of the Central Alps; marble, quartz and feldspar fragments of different sizes blend within the slab, adding tactile realism and slip-resistance. The result is a floor that captures the look and feel of stone or concrete while improving installation, maintenance and design flexibility.

www.tateglobal.com

Vinyl Is Biodegradable Hyphyn is the first-of-its-kind biodegradable vinyl designed for high-traffic hospitality, health care, education and retail environments. Reinforcing its commitment to environmental responsibility, Hyphyn can share recently published test results confirming its safety for incineration. Dioxin content analysis recorded an overall I-TEQ toxicity level of less than 0.001 ng/g, validating the material’s environmental safety. Innovatively engineered with a patented enzyme system and proprietary resin formulation, Hyphyn biodegrades by more than 90 percent within two years under landfill conditions, leaving no microplastics or toxins behind, nurturing healthy soil in the process. Hyphyn maintains the durability, cleanability and comparable price point of conventional vinyl while meeting today’s eco-conscious standards.

hyphyn.com

Coordinate Washroom Accessories, Create a Modern Aesthetic Bradley Company has expanded its popular Elvari Washroom Accessories Collection with four new accessory models designed to increase restroom design options while supporting greater operational efficiency for facility teams. The new models include a Recessed Combination Unit (paper towel and waste), Recessed Paper Towel Dispenser, Jumbo Toilet Paper Dispenser and Free-Standing Waste Receptacle. Each model features Elvari’s refined modern aesthetic with seamless curves, premium stainless-steel construction and coordinated finish options—Brushed Black, Brushed Brass, Brushed Bronze, Brushed Nickel, Brushed Stainless and Satin Stainless. Elvari’s durable e-coat finishes also support long-term performance in high-traffic facilities by resisting fingerprints, water spots and corrosion, helping accessories stay cleaner-looking and easier to maintain over time.

www.bradleycorp.com/elvari-washroom-accessories

retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 39

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Johnson Controls has made available its TEC4000S Series Thermostat, the only thermostat in its class with a user interface that meets AAA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines compliance, the highest accessibility standard available.

It delivers up to an 80 percent reduction in setup and commissioning time for mid-sized properties, enabling faster and more efficient system deployment for contractors. The TEC4000S Series features a 4-inch color touch display, the largest in its class, and a simplified navigation structure. Its AAA-compliant interface incorporates high-contrast visuals, large text and direct access to frequently used functions.

The optional Johnson Controls Connected Workflow Wireless MS/TP adapter enables wireless commissioning before wall-mounting while proportional control autotuning reduces time and need for specialized expertise in commissioning more complex equipment. The TEC4000S Series targets single-zone commercial applications from 300 to 3,000 square feet.

www.johnsoncontrols.com

Bidet Toilet Seat Adds Luxury to Public Restrooms Brondell gives commercial bathrooms a well-deserved upgrade with its open-front, lidless bidet toilet seat, the Swash Thinline T22 with Open Front Less Cover and Side Arm Control. The seat, which meets Uniform Plumbing Code standards, provides a fresh washing experience to any public restroom space with endless warm water, a heated seat, warm air dryer and more.

Its reinforced internal construction and durable stainless-steel nozzle are built to handle the stress of daily public usage. Maintenance teams will appreciate the self-cleaning feature, which gives the nozzle a sanitary rinse at the touch of a button. Simple, side-arm controls make it easy for users to adjust water pressure and temperature.

It all adds up to a better public-restroom experience that’s good for business—and the planet by reducing the need for toilet paper.

www.brondell.com/swash-thinline-t22-commercial-bidettoilet-seat 40 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

Low-profile Luminaire Saturates a Variety of Project Types in Color

Designers Now Can Shape the Color, Pattern, Spatial Identity of Floors and Walls AHF Products announces Armstrong Flooring Kaleido Color Lab, a breakthrough in luxury vinyl tile (LVT) customization that transforms the role of the designer from specifier to co-creator. The tool empowers interior designers to go beyond selecting SKUs, offering a structured yet playful way to shape color, pattern, and spatial identity through an intuitive, digital-first platform for floors and walls. Kaleido Color Lab offers a system of more than 500 remixable combinations, allowing designers to mix and match base patterns, vibrant accent colors and format sizes in three easy steps. The designs are visualized instantly through a streamlined online experience. Designers also can use LVT as a commercial wallcovering when the correct products, adhesives and installation methods are specified. What began as a creative design workaround has evolved into a legitimate wallcovering strategy for offices, retail spaces, health-care facilities, hospitality environments and mixed-use developments.

www.armstrongflooring.com/ commercial/en-us/products/lvt-luxuryflooring/kaleido.html?size=24

Hydrel has introduced its Ridge luminaire, which offers a low-profile linear form, enhanced beam control and 18 mounting options for a variety of lighting schemes and project types.

The family features RGBW Quad Tech designed with a Power Scaling driver to deliver vibrant color saturation without sacrificing lumen output. Precise resolution can be controlled down to 1 foot, enabling detailed and accurate lighting designs.

Ridge delivers up to 2,100 lumens per foot for static white and 1,700 lumens per foot for RGBW, depending on selected options. Available in 1- (which can be used in non-linear, circular projects), 2-, 3- and 4-foot nominal lengths with a continuous run option, all Ridge luminaires feature robust die-cast aluminum construction that provides an impermeable barrier, backed

by IK10 and IP67 ratings. Certain mounting options are certified to 3G and 5G vibration levels. Ridge is compatible with a wide range of industry-standard control protocols.

hydrel.acuitybrands.com

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retrofitmagazine.com // RETROFIT 41

I N S P I R AT I O N

PHOTO: Nick Mele BEFORE PHOTO: courtesy Spacesmith

BEFORE

A Taste of Paris A Small Retail Shop Is Repurposed into a Maximalist Food-service Operation

A

new storefront for the famed Parisian patisserie Ladurée, located within New York City’s landmark Rockefeller Center complex, delivered on a fast-paced six-month schedule.

Spacesmith (a longtime Ladurée collaborator) was executive architect alongside Paris-based Studio Ravn.

The space sits within Rockefeller Center’s Channel Gardens and was converted from a small retail shop for a leather goods brand into an efficient food-service operation.

The property’s Landmark status required meticulous attention to detail. Spacesmith surveyed existing conditions, revealing previously untapped cavities within the walls, later repurposed as concealed storage to maximize usable space.

42 RETROFIT // July-August 2026

Elevated finishes help tell the story of Ladurée: brushed brass accents, plaster ceiling coffers in the brand’s signature green, and glossy floor tiles. Certain elements, like custom Brunschwig & Fils wallcoverings, were created in partnership with Ladurée specifically for this store’s location. Spacesmith’s team guided Brunschwig & Fils in the selection of PVC-free wallpaper, making the store safer for people and the environment.

Inside the store, mirrored walls and recessed shelving create the illusion of more space. By designing the floor-to-ceiling windows to be virtually unobstructed, the store’s interior feels airy despite its Maximalist palette.

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