For 35+ years, Conn Architects has been the firm Tallahassee developers, restaurateurs, and business owners call when a commercial project has to perform — financially, functionally, and architecturally. Our work isn’t in portfolios; it’s in the places people actually meet, eat, work, and do business: The Edison, Proof Brewing Co., The Monroe, Push Pilates, and dozens more.

We’re a full-service commercial architecture firm, not a residential studio that occasionally takes on commercial work. Every member of our team has spent their career on commercial projects — office buildings, retail, hospitality, mixed-use, healthcare, and adaptive reuse of older structures. With our recent expansion into the South Florida market, we now bring that same commercial-first practice to Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Broward County clients.

What We Design

Our commercial architecture services cover the full spectrum of business and institutional buildings:

Office Buildings — Class A office towers, professional services buildings, and corporate campuses. Whether a single-tenant headquarters or a multi-tenant lease building, we design to maximize functional efficiency and long-term flexibility.

Retail & Storefront — Shopping centers, freestanding retail, and storefront design. We work with national tenants, regional chains, and local brands.

Restaurants, Breweries & Hospitality — One of our strongest practice areas. From concept and brand-fit programming through construction administration, our portfolio includes The Edison, Proof Brewing Co., The Monroe, Earley’s Kitchen, HTeaO, Mom and Dad’s, and Vale Food Co.

Mixed-Use Development — Urban infill projects that blend commercial, residential, and retail. SoMo Walls and similar developments demonstrate our experience integrating multiple uses on complex urban sites.

Tenant Improvements & Build-Outs — White-box buildouts, fit-outs, and adaptive reuse for new tenants moving into existing commercial spaces.

Adaptive Reuse & Historic Renovation — A specialty. The Edison (former Cascades Park electric plant) and Proof Brewing Co. are recognized examples of preserving older commercial buildings while meeting modern code, accessibility, and use requirements.

Healthcare & Medical Office — Medical office buildings, clinics, dental practices, and specialty care facilities serving the Tallahassee and North Florida medical community.

Where We Work

Tallahassee & North Florida (founding office): Tallahassee is where Conn Architects has shaped the commercial built environment for over 35 years. Our portfolio anchors Midtown, Downtown, Cascades Park, the FSU/FAMU corridor, and Southwood. We also work throughout Leon County, the Florida Panhandle, and into South Georgia.

South Florida (expanding): With our new Fort Lauderdale presence, we’re bringing the same commercial-first practice to Broward County, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and the broader South Florida market. The commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use opportunities in South Florida are well-suited to our experience.

Why Developers and Business Owners Choose Conn for Commercial Work

  • Commercial-first practice. Most architecture firms balance residential and commercial work; we’re predominantly commercial, with the depth that comes from doing it for 35+ years.
  • Local portfolio you can actually visit. Walk into The Edison, Proof Brewing, or The Monroe and see the work in operation. Talk to the owners. The buildings are working hard for their businesses.
  • In-house full service. Programming through construction administration in one firm — no handoffs to a separate construction admin team midway through the project.
  • Adaptive reuse expertise. One of the few Florida firms with repeat success converting older commercial buildings into modern commercial spaces.
  • Two-market reach. Whether your project is in Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, or anywhere between, we serve both markets from purpose-built offices.
  • Licensed Florida architecture firm — License No. AA C001662, AIA-member architects.

Where We Offer Commercial Architecture

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of commercial projects does Conn Architects design?

Office buildings, retail, restaurants, breweries, hotels, multi-tenant buildings, mixed-use developments, medical office buildings, tenant improvements, and adaptive reuse of historic or older commercial structures.

Do you work on projects outside Tallahassee?

Yes. Beyond Tallahassee and Leon County, we work throughout the Florida Panhandle, North Florida, and South Georgia. With our recent Fort Lauderdale presence, we also serve the Broward County, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach markets.

How does your fee structure work?

Commercial architectural fees are typically a percentage of total construction cost, with the percentage depending on project complexity, scope, and size. We provide a detailed proposal after an initial consultation. Smaller tenant improvements are often quoted as fixed fees.

How long does a commercial project take?

From initial programming through construction completion, typical commercial projects range from 9 months (small tenant improvement) to 24-36 months (ground-up larger commercial or mixed-use). Design-only timelines are usually 4-9 months depending on scope.

Do you handle adaptive reuse of historic commercial buildings?

Yes — it’s a specialty of ours. The Edison and Proof Brewing Co. are both adaptive reuse projects. We’re experienced with the additional code analysis, structural assessment, and preservation considerations these projects require.

Can you serve as our architect of record on a national rollout?

Yes for projects in Florida. We’ve supported multi-location retail and restaurant clients with location-by-location design and permitting in Tallahassee and surrounding markets.

How do I start a commercial project with Conn Architects?

Call our Tallahassee office at (850) 878-8784, email design@connarchitects.com, or visit the contact page. We’ll schedule an initial consultation to discuss your site, program, budget, and timeline.

Have a commercial project in Tallahassee or South Florida?

Whether you’re developing a new office building, opening a restaurant, repositioning a retail center, or converting an older property to a new use, we’d like to hear about it.

Start a project →