Gensler Middle East is excited to announce the appointment of Todd Pilgreen, Gensler Principal, as the Regional Practice Area Leader for Mixed Use & Retail Centers and Retail & Consumer Experience for the Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) region. With a wealth of experience, Pilgreen recently moved from Shanghai, where he co-managed Gensler’s 250-person office for six years. He is now based in the Dubai office, overseeing projects across the APME region.
During his tenure in Shanghai, Pilgreen’s contributions to managing the Shanghai office have been deeply impactful. In addition, Pilgreen played a pivotal role in advancing Gensler’s Mixed Use & Retail Centers practice in Greater China. His portfolio includes notable projects such as the Fosun Taicang Retail Entertainment Complex, China Merchants Group Zhanjiang Cruise City Development, Shanghai Caolu Garden City Shopping Center, IMS Tianxiaxiu Behai Ithaka, and the iconic Wujiang Road Experience Repositioning in Shanghai.
"Bringing Todd’s global expertise to the Middle East supports our continued focus on the growth of the region’s retail and mixed-use sectors,” said Tim Martin, Co-Managing Director & Principal at Gensler Middle East. “Todd’s appointment marks a significant step in our commitment to expanding Gensler's influence in the rapidly evolving retail and mixed-use sectors across the APME region. His global perspective and proven leadership on large-scale projects will be invaluable as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in the built environment, particularly in dynamic markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE".
Tariq Shaikh, Co-Managing Director & Principal at Gensler Middle East, added, "We are excited to welcome Todd to the Gensler Middle East team. His deep expertise in retail and mixed-use design aligns perfectly with the region’s ambitious growth objectives. With his leadership, we are poised to further elevate our ability to create transformative, people-centered spaces that resonate with the diverse needs of today’s urban environments across the Middle East."
The retail and mixed-use sectors in the GCC are experiencing significant expansion. According to a recent GCC retail report by Alpen Capital, the industry is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% from 2023 to 2028, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the growth at CAGRs of 5.4% and 5.1%, respectively. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives aim to boost the retail sector’s contribution to the economy and create vibrant destinations for shopping, leisure, and entertainment. The UAE is also enhancing its retail landscape with ambitious projects aimed at growing its retail market to $74.7 billion by 2027.
Concerning the move, Pilgreen stated: "The Middle East presents a unique and exciting opportunity to shape the future of retail and mixed-use design. I’m looking forward to bringing my global experience to the region and collaborating on innovative projects that will define the next generation of urban entertainment and mixed-use places".
Pilgreen holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles. He serves as a member of the Executive Committee and the incoming Global Governing Trustee for the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Additionally, Pilgreen is recognized for founding and chairing the American Institute of Architects Shanghai Chapter Design Excellence Awards. He is also LEED BD+C certified, reflecting his dedication to design excellence.