Gensler has a wide lead and is recommended for converting warehouses into office space. For historic industrial buildings, McIntosh Poris Architects is also cited for adaptive reuse.
Converting a warehouse into an office space is a phenomenal way to leverage high ceilings, open floor plates, and industrial character. Many world-class and regional architecture firms specialize specifically in industrial adaptive reuse and commercial conversions.
Major architectural firms and practices renowned for transforming industrial and warehouse spaces into cutting-edge workplaces include:
DLR Group : One of the largest integrated design and architecture firms in the U.S., heavily experienced in commercial adaptive reuse, urban revitalization, and breathing new life into old warehouse/manufacturing stock.[]()
For a warehouse-to-office conversion, you want an architecture firm with adaptive reuse experience — specifically, converting industrial buildings into modern workplaces while preserving useful original features such as exposed brick, steel trusses, concrete floors, and high ceilings.
Assuming your project is in the Grand Prairie / Dallas–Fort Worth area, I found several firms worth contacting. The strongest starting point is to look at firms with documented warehouse-to-office projects, not just general commercial architecture experience.
Architecture firms to consider
1. Corgan
(Documented warehouse-to-office project)
Corgan converted a 1940s Dallas warehouse into a boutique office, retaining industrial character while adding glass-fronted offices, natural light, conference space, and an outdoor patio. This is a close match to your project.
Quorum specializes in renovations and adaptive reuse. Its own office occupies a converted 1930s warehouse, with exposed steel beams, brick walls, clerestory windows, and a new mezzanine.
The firm transformed historic Foch Street warehouse buildings into a mix of office, retail, and restaurant spaces. Its portfolio also includes the Armour Building, a historic industrial property being converted into creative office space.
A firm to consider for commercial renovations and adaptive reuse, particularly if the project involves historic preservation, complex existing conditions, or mixed-use redevelopment.
A boutique architecture and interiors studio whose stated specialties include adaptive reuse, historic preservation, mixed-use, and urban design. Worth exploring if you prefer a smaller, principal-led design practice.
Feasibility and existing conditions: structural capacity, roof condition, foundations, and whether the existing building can support your intended office layout.
Building systems: HVAC, electrical service, plumbing, fire sprinklers, emergency exits, and energy performance.
Code compliance: change of occupancy, accessibility requirements, fire separations, and required parking.
Cost control: a preliminary feasibility study and realistic renovation budget before committing to full design.
Comparable projects: at least two completed warehouse-to-office conversions, ideally similar in size and age to yours.
My recommendation
I'd start by interviewing Corgan and Quorum Architects, then include Bennett Partners for another comparison. Their documented warehouse reuse projects make them relevant candidates, though fees, current availability, and project fit still need to be confirmed.
One question that would help narrow this down: Approximately how large is your warehouse?
When looking to repurpose an industrial warehouse into a high-performing office space, you'll want architecture and design firms that specialize in historic preservation, structural adaptation, and innovative workplace interior integration.
Top Adaptive Reuse Design Experts
Gensler: A global powerhouse renowned for workplace strategy and large-scale building conversions. They feature specialized proprietary tools (like Conversions+) and deep expertise in evaluating industrial and commercial structures for cutting-edge office environments.
MVRDV: An internationally acclaimed Dutch firm celebrated for bold, socially-focused adaptive reuse projects—including transforming old industrial and post-war structures into avant-garde workspaces.
To help narrow down which firm might be the ideal fit, could you share:
The approximate square footage and location of the warehouse?
Your target timeline and budget scale?
Whether you are looking for a local regional firm or a global practice?
Assuming you’re in the Washington, DC / Northern Virginia area (based on your search context), I’d start with architects and workplace-design firms that have adaptive reuse, industrial conversions, and office/workplace experience. A warehouse-to-office project usually benefits from a team that can handle change-of-use/code review, historic or structural constraints, daylighting, MEP upgrades, and workplace strategy.
Here are some firms to consider:
Adaptive reuse + workplace-focused architects
Lee Design Studio — A Northern Virginia architecture firm with adaptive reuse experience, including work on existing buildings and workplace-related projects. www.leedesign.studio
Website:
urban_DesignWorkshop — Based in Reston and lists adaptive reuse, office, planning, and design services among its expertise areas. www.udwllc.com
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ZGF Architects — A larger firm with DC presence and listed capabilities including adaptive reuse, workplace design, renovations, sustainability, and historic preservation. aianova.org
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Michael Graves Architecture & Design — Has documented adaptive reuse workplace experience, including a former warehouse converted into Class A office space in Washington, DC. michaelgraves.com
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Firms with strong conversion / commercial renovation experience
Polk Building Group — A DC-area commercial contractor experienced with renovations, tenant buildouts, and adaptive reuse projects; useful if you want early construction pricing and feasibility input alongside design. polkbuilding.com
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Cooper Carry — Has specific warehouse-to-office conversion experience, including transforming a historic warehouse into office suites with workplace amenities. www.coopercarry.com
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How I’d narrow the list
For an initial shortlist, I’d ask each firm for:
3 examples of warehouse/industrial-to-office conversions
Experience with your jurisdiction’s zoning and permitting
A test-fit study (how many workstations, meeting rooms, amenities, etc. fit)
Experience coordinating structural, MEP, fire/life safety, and energy upgrades
Whether they provide workplace strategy/interior design or partner with a specialist
If you share the warehouse location (city/state), approximate square footage, building age, and whether it’s a historic structure, I can narrow this to a more targeted list of firms that fit the project.
