New York Architecture and Design Market Update 2026

In New York, the sector is steady, driven by demand in education, transport, healthcare, hospitality, luxury residential and commercial office projects. While layoffs have abated, there is still some disruption to workflows and hiring due to projects put on hold. However, the need for project architects with excellent Revit skills is a constant. 

Sector buoyancy 

• Within architecture, the education, transport and healthcare sectors are strong. 

• In interior design, hospitality and luxury residential continue to be in high demand. 

• For both, any concerns about the multi-family sector stalling have not eventuated and there has been strong demand in both areas for the duration of 2025. 

• Commercial office projects focusing on high-end and adaptive reuse are seeing continued interest as is sustainable design and retrofitting existing buildings. 

In demand roles and skills 

• There is high demand for interior designers experienced in hospitality and single-family residential. 

• Project architects with excellent Revit skills are a continued need. 

• For business support there is an increasing need for business development professionals. 

Challenges 

• The wave of layoffs seems to have abated, however projects continue to go on hold which impacts staffing levels.  

• Many clients start the hiring process to only put it on hold when projects are not won. 

• Competition for talent has been high, however clients have not reacted as quickly as the job seeker market has dictated, resulting in offers being declined due to individuals having taken other offers. 

Job seeker priorities 

• Jobseekers are reluctantly increasing their time in office to secure a new role, however hybrid working is still a preference.   

• Job seekers will negotiate on their base salary to secure another WFH day. 

• With little seismic shift in bases, while still motivated by base salary increases, job seekers are focusing more on company benefits and culture.