Michael Kostow is an architect, planner, and design strategist. He is recognized as a leader in the planning and design of media production facilities, performing arts venues, and workplace design for creative entrepreneurs. His extensive portfolio of work includes both new build and adaptive re-use projects.
As the founding principal of Kostow Greenwood Architects, an award-winning, New York based design firm, Kostow leads a team of architects and designers in concept design through construction for developers, corporations, and institutions. Most notably, his experience with strategic planning, programming and concept development promotes the integration of architectural design and strategic business objectives.
A licensed architect with over 30 years of professional experience, he provides overall design direction for the firm as well as team leadership on specific projects. Michael is involved in all project phases from initial site evaluation and programming through concept development, design, and construction.
Kostow Greenwood Architects grew out of our predecessor firm which Michael founded in 1987. His vision, leadership, and expertise have shaped our practice and given it national stature in entertainment, media and performing arts.
Kostow received his Master of Architecture degree from Yale University and a B.A. in Architecture from Lehigh University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and a LEED Accredited Professional. Kostow speaks at industry events and contributes to architecture and design publications.
Notable Projects:
BROADCAST & MEDIA-
Abu Dhabi Media Company
CNN NY Broadcast Center
HBO Studio Productions
Mad River Post
MTV Networks
LIVE ARTS-
Apollo Performing Arts Center
Centennial Memorial Temple
James Earl Jones (formerly Cort) Theatre
Longacre Theatre
Loews Metropolitan Theatre
CREATIVE WORKPLACE-
Fir Tree Partners NY and Miami
Sirius XM Radio
Smart Design Innovation Center NY and San Francisco
Tiger 21 Conference Center
VSP / Marchon Innovation Lab
Lena Dau-Ping Fan is an Architect in NYC and a Principal at Kostow Greenwood Architects since 2023. A talented architect and leader, she quickly rose from a junior designer (in 2012) to a team leader and project manager to her current role at the firm. During her academic career, Lena worked at firms that focused on designing recreational buildings and hospitals to firms specializing in luxury residential and hotels. Her passion for architecture is to provide inclusive, well-designed, and exciting environments.
Key projects completed at KGA include the expansion of The Shubert Organization's historic Broadway James Earl Jones Theatre; the expansion of the iconic Apollo Theater into the Apollo Performing Arts Center, broadcast studios for CNN in NYC and other office interior projects.
Lena deftly orchestrates the full team of professionals required for state of the art performing arts venues; master plans, renovations, and feasibility plans. Within the office, she also focuses her efforts on mentoring team members and helping colleagues gain the necessary experience to pass architectural licensing exams. Outside of the office, Lena is active in her church's mission projects, and sponsors other designers in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Notable Projects:
BROADCAST & MEDIA-
CNN New York Broadcast Center
BronxNet Mercy College
LIVE ARTS-
Apollo Performing Arts Center
James Earl Jones Theatre Annex
Ambassador Theatre Group
Shubert Warehouse
Salvation Army Centennial Memorial Temple
Actor's Equity Association
Northland Center Mall Redevelopment
CREATIVE WORKPLACE-
Credit Sights
Fir Tree Partners NYC and Miami
The Shop East at VSP Global
Gary joined the firm in 2017, became an Associate in 2021, and now a Principal in 2023.
A focus on place-based solutions is the foundation of Gary's design philosophy. His innovative design sensibilities paired with a strong technical foundation of code requirements and detailing allows him to navigate a multitude of project types in the cultural, sustainable development, and creative workplace sectors. He is involved with all phases of the building process from site selection through construction administration. He’s known to be one of the few architects that still believe in the art of sketching!
Gary’s design process is rooted in understanding the clients’ objectives, intricacies of the site, and complexities of the program. He brings his deep passion for learning about new construction techniques and integrating new materials to craft exceptional project-specific solutions.
Gary’s contributions to the design for the award-winning James Earl Jones Theatre Annex on Broadway and Smart Design studio at the Brooklyn Navy Yard demonstrate his passion for innovation, attention to detail and human-centric design. His keen interest in adaptive-reuse and sustainable development are behind the firm’s conceptual designs for the Northland Center Mall Redevelopment and National Philharmonic of Moldova.
Gary received his Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, holds a NCARB Certificate (allowing for reciprocal licensure in other jurisdictions), and is a LEED Green Associate. He is a juror for the international WAN Awards and a volunteer on NCARB’s Examination Committee. His speaking engagements include being invited to present the James Earl Jones Theatre Annex project at the League of Historic American Theatres National Conference.
Prior to joining Kostow Greenwood Architects, Gary worked at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill where he focused on education projects.
Notable Projects:
LIVE ARTS-
Apollo Performing Arts Center
James Earl Jones Theatre Annex
The Shubert Organization Warehouse
Kings Theatre Flexible Auditorium
Theatre Feasibility Studies for The Shubert Organization
DEVELOPMENT-
Northland Center Mall Redevelopment
National Philharmonic of Moldova
Tenuta Terraviva Agriturismo
CREATIVE WORKPLACE-
Smart Design Brooklyn Navy Yard
Tiger 21 Executive Conference Center
Credit Sights
Fir Tree Partners NY
BROADCAST & MEDIA-
Lionsgate Studios
Studio Master Plan for The Related Companies
Studio Feasibility Study for RXR Realty
Mitchell Kurtz has extensive design experience with theaters, performing arts facilities, rehearsal studios, multi-use spaces, and community facilities. As the Principal of his own firm (Mitchell Kurtz Architect PC, founded in 1986), Mr. Kurtz was intimately involved in the design, management, and quality control of all projects in the office. After closing his firm in 2024, Mitchell joined Kostow Greenwood Architects as a Principal. He brings a broad knowledge of design and technical prowess, to the creation and renovation of theaters and performance spaces in existing buildings and new construction. Prior to his architectural training, Mr. Kurtz had a long career in theater production and design for resident theaters and touring companies.
Mr. Kurtz’s architectural projects include Playwrights Horizons with two theaters, rehearsal rooms, offices, and costume shop on Theater Row; a 240-seat theater in an historic building and a 5,000-seat covered amphitheater for the Chautauqua Institution; a 200-seat flexible auditorium at the JCC Manhattan; renovation projects for Lucille Lortel Theater on Christopher Street in the Greenwich Village Historic District and the addition of a new Lortel Studio Theater and offices in a renovated building in the West 18th Street Stables Historic District; New York Theatre Workshop’s 199-seat theater, their 74-seat theater, offices/rehearsal studio building, and scenery/costume workshop building in the East 4th Street Cultural District/East Village Historic District.
With his expertise in production and performance, Mr. Kurtz guides KGA with its collaborations with performing art and museum presenters to assist with making production-specific and site-specific venues, re-arranging flexible spaces and creating performance spaces in non-traditional settings for shows and galas. Producing and presenting clients include Here Lies Love’s immersive redesign of the Broadway Theater and productions for The Public Theater, Signature Theater, Daryl Roth Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, the New Group, Lortel Theater, Lincoln Center, Ars Nova, St. Ann’s Warehouse, the Frick Collection, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Spyscape Museum.
Other clients include the Public Theater, Cherry Lane Theater, Daryl Roth Theater, Barnard College, Pratt Institute, Fordham University, The New School, Stamford Center for the Performing Arts, The Frick Collection, Signature Theater, Dance Theater Workshop, Second Stage, Studio Seaview, El Museo del Barrio, Hartford Stage, HB Studio, Brooklyn Ballet, Jazz at Lincoln Center, La Mama ETC, Park Avenue Armory, Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera, Open Jar Studios, Rattlestick Theater, Streb Dance Company, Spyscape Museum, Pregones Theater, Asphalt Green, 92nd Street Y, and the Westside Y.
Notable Projects:
LIVE ARTS-
Playwrights Horizons Mainstage, Studio Theater, Offices, Costume Shop
New York Theater Workshop Theater, Offices, Theaters, Scenic/Costume Shops
Signature Theater
Cherry Lane Theater and Studio Theater
Lucille Lortel Theater and Studios
Hartford Stage renovations
Bratton Theater at the Chautauqua Institution
The Amp (Amphitheater) at the Chautauqua Institution
“Here Lies Love” at the Public Theater, Seattle Rep, and the Broadway Theater
The Tristan Project with LA Philharmonic, Avery Fisher Hall (Lincoln Center and Park Avenue Armory)
St Matthew Passion with the Berlin Philharmonic (Lincoln Center at the Park Avenue Armory)
PRESERVATION-
New York Theatre Workshop
Chautauqua Amphitheater
Bratton Theater at Chautauqua
Lucille Lortel Theater
LaMama ETC
New York Theater Workshop
Cherry Lane Theater
Daryl Roth Theater
St. Cecilia and Holy Agony Church
Asphalt Green