What PBDW Architects does

PBDW Architects (legal entity Platt Byard Dovell White Architects LLP) is a New York City-based architecture firm founded circa 1964-1965 as a limited liability partnership, specializing in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and complex institutional projects. The firm serves cultural institutions, independent schools, hospitality and commercial developers, nonprofit organizations, and high-end residential clients across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and select out-of-state projects in Michigan. Notable projects include the 300,000 SF Cooper Union Foundation Building restoration, the 370,000 SF 20 Times Square mixed-use tower, 170,000 SF Powerhouse Arts facility, Park Avenue Armory, and the award-winning restoration of 462 Broadway (largest fully-clad cast iron structure in SoHo).

The firm's core expertise spans full-service architectural design from strategic planning through construction administration, with particular differentiation in landmark preservation (cast iron restoration, original paint scheme analysis, restoration-by-excavation methodology), phased construction enabling operations to continue during renovations, and architect-of-record roles on high-prestige projects alongside design consultants such as Herzog & de Meuron. Proprietary methodology areas include salvaging and restoring complex historic cast iron elements, detailed architectural paint scheme analysis, and innovative structural excavation techniques for severely deteriorated historic structures.

The business model is project-based professional services. Revenue is generated through architectural design fees negotiated project-by-project based on scope, complexity, building type, and square footage. There is no public pricing; the firm does not disclose revenue or accept external investment. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven by reputation, repeat institutional clients (Green-Wood Cemetery engagement spans 30+ years; multiple projects for schools including Saint David's, Spence, Riverdale), professional network referrals, and industry recognition through awards and publications in Architectural Record, The New York Times, and Metropolis. Projects are quote-based and lumpy in cadence. Customer concentration is moderate, anchored by a relatively small set of long-term institutional and cultural clients given the firm's 11-50 employee scale.

Name

PBDW Architects

Legal name

Platt Byard Dovell White Architects LLP

Website

https://pbdw.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PBDW Architects is a 60+ year-old New York City-based architecture firm specializing in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and complex institutional projects. It serves cultural institutions, independent schools, hospitality developers, and nonprofit clients across education, culture, preservation, and residential sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural design for new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and renovation projects across commercial, hospitality, educational, cultural, and residential sectors. Revenue generated through professional fees for design, project management, and construction administration services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

PBDW Architects is a full-service architectural design firm providing comprehensive architectural services across new construction, renovation, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation. The firm specializes in contextually sensitive design for educational, cultural, hospitality, commercial, and high-end residential projects, with deep expertise in New York City landmark restoration and regulatory approval processes.

Product overview

PBDW Architects is a full-service architectural firm offering architectural services as a unified practice. The firm provides services across multiple project types including new construction, historic preservation, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Projects span commercial, educational, hospitality, residential, cultural, and institutional sectors. The firm does not operate a software product or platform — all offerings are professional architectural services delivered through project-based engagements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Herzog & de MeuroncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign consultant and collaboration partner on major projects including Sotheby's Breuer Building (executive and preservation architect partnership) and Powerhouse Arts (adaptive reuse of Brooklyn power station). Herzog & de Meuron serves as design consultant while PBDW serves as architect of record.
• Roman & WilliamsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant designer for the Marcel restaurant at Sotheby's Breuer Building, with PBDW serving as architect of record.
• Powerhouse Environmental Arts FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot-for-profit organization that acquired the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Power Station and retained PBDW and Herzog & de Meuron for the adaptive reuse project to create Powerhouse Arts fabrication facility.
• NYC Landmarks Preservation CommissioncoreOthersRegulatory body whose approval is required for all landmark designation projects. PBDW maintains deep working relationships with the Commission for successful project approvals.
• Green-Wood CemeterycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing client relationship spanning since 1995, with PBDW completing multiple projects including Gothic Revival Entry Gate, Modern Chapel Addition, Hillside Mausoleum, Tranquility Garden Columbarium, and Fort Hamilton Gatehouse.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pbdwarchitects
• Facebookfacebook.com/pbdwarchitects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pbdw-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PBDW Architects