Rendering courtesy of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners LLP
Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, ENR MidAtlantic Design Firm of the Year, helped design the residential conversion of the former Portals I office building in Washington, DC.
For demonstrating revenue growth and success in the region, as well as innovation, creativity and commitment to community investment, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners has been named the ENR MidAtlantic Design Firm of the Year 2026. The international architecture firm will be recognized in the May 11 print edition of ENR East which will also include the ENR East Top Design Firm ranking.
The ENR East ranking, which includes firms doing business in Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, DC, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia, is based on the total regional design services revenue of participating firms, including state revenue and various design specialties and disciplines.
Beyer Blinder Belle attributes its recent success to its diversification across architecture, planning, interiors and preservation, along with expertise in both new construction and adaptive reuse. The company, based in New York City with a workforce of about 190 across four offices, says its management structure and size allow it to take on both large-scale projects and smaller interventions with equal attention. Much of his work comes from repeat clients who value his design process.
In the Mid-Atlantic, the firm is working with DAVID RUBIN Land Collective in Washington to reimagine the future of Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, and with Nelson Byrd Woltz on a comprehensive landscape plan for George Washington’s historic home, Mount Vernon, in Alexandria, Virginia.
The designer is also leading planning and approvals for the proposed expansion of Washington’s Union Station train hub to serve future transportation needs while preserving the historic character of the station.
Beyer Blinder Belle has been active in office-to-residential conversions in the city, including the project at 1250 Maryland Avenue SW, which began construction in June 2025. The firm’s Washington office has also expanded its adaptive reuse expertise to include work at Vizcaya Village in Miami, where former support buildings are being converted into educational and community spaces, and the restoration of a department store in Montreal
The company has also been involved in seniors’ residence projects, including the completion of Inspīr Embassy Row in February 2025, which converted the historic Fairfax Hotel into a seniors’ residence and has received several awards. He continues to do similar work with Maplewood Senior Living, including a project outside of Philadelphia.
One of Beyer Blinder Belle’s most notable efforts was the 16-year implementation of a master plan to revitalize Court Square in Washington, DC, including the restoration, renovation and expansion of the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse. The project received the Justice Facilities Review Award, the highest civic architecture award from the American Institute of Architects. The designer also worked on the new Irish Embassy in Washington, DC
Beyond project work, Beyer Blinder Belle contributes to its communities through volunteerism, charitable giving, pro bono services, and its foundation that provides scholarships and grants. Employees earn paid time off to volunteer annually, and the company maintains partnerships with local organizations, including programs to support architecture, construction and engineering students.
Beyer Blinder Belle has partnered with Washington-based Phelps Architecture, Construction, Engineering High School, where staff participate in student activities, midterm reviews, and final reviews. The company also offers an annual youth education scholarship to students.
It also offers annual scholarships to Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia, as well as paid internships to the Howard University scholarship recipient. The firm has also provided past community grants to local organizations such as the River East Design Center and donates to various outside organizations and committees such as Women in Architecture, Big Green Commute, Urban Land Institute and AIA events.
Beyer Blinder Belle ranks 64th in the 2025 ENR East Design Firm Rankings with $62.71 million in regional revenue in 2024. To find out where it will rank this year and to learn more about the company, check out the May 11 issue of ENR East.
Justin Rice is editor of ENR East.
