Douglas Emmett Taps Architectural Titan Andy Cohen for Board Seat

SANTA MONICA, CA – April 10, 2026

Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI), a major owner of prime office and residential real estate in Los Angeles and Honolulu, has signaled a significant strategic move by electing Andy Cohen, Global Co-Chair of the world's largest architecture firm, Gensler, to its Board of Directors. The appointment, announced today, brings a global design and urban planning authority into the boardroom of a REIT known for its high-quality coastal properties, suggesting a deeper commitment to design-led value creation in an evolving real estate market.

A Visionary Architect Joins the REIT Boardroom

Andy Cohen is not just any architect; he is a titan of the industry. Having spent his entire 43-year career at Gensler, he was instrumental in its ascent to a global powerhouse with 6,500 professionals and over $2 billion in annual revenue. His tenure as Co-CEO from 2005 to 2024 saw the firm cement its status as a leader in design innovation. Now, as Global Co-Chair, he helps steer the firm's strategic direction and design excellence initiatives.

Cohen’s influence extends far beyond Gensler. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a registered architect in 41 states, his expertise is sought by leading academic and industry institutions. He serves on advisory boards for the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics at Berkeley, and the architecture schools at both UCLA and USC. This deep integration into the worlds of urban planning, real estate economics, and architectural education provides him with a unique, holistic perspective on the built environment.

His appointment to the Douglas Emmett board, effective April 8, 2026, is more than a prestigious addition. It represents an infusion of specialized knowledge at a critical time. While REIT boards are typically heavy with finance and real estate operations experts, adding a top-tier design leader points to a strategy focused on future-proofing assets and enhancing competitive advantage through superior design and user experience.

Aligning Design Philosophy with Development Strategy

The timing of Cohen's arrival aligns perfectly with Douglas Emmett's current development pipeline, which is heavily focused on ambitious and complex projects, particularly office-to-residential conversions. The REIT is actively transforming office buildings into highly sought-after apartments in both its key markets, responding to post-pandemic shifts in living and working patterns.

In Honolulu, the company is in the midst of converting the 21-story Bishop Place office tower into contemporary apartments. This move was prompted by the stark contrast between their 80% leased office portfolio and their consistently 98-99% leased multifamily properties in the city, highlighting a clear market demand. Similarly, in Los Angeles, Douglas Emmett is converting a 17-story office building at 10900 Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood into 320 new residential units.

These conversions are not simple renovations; they are complete reimaginations of urban space. This is precisely where Cohen's expertise becomes invaluable. A vocal proponent of sustainable and resilient design, Cohen co-authored the book "Design for a Radically Changing World," which explores how design can address global challenges like climate change. His philosophy, deeply embedded in Gensler's work, prioritizes creating dynamic, mixed-use environments that enhance the human experience—a principle directly applicable to turning single-use office towers into vibrant residential communities.

Meeting the Market's 'Flight to Quality'

Cohen's appointment is also a strategic response to a clear market trend: the "flight to quality." In both the office and residential sectors of Los Angeles and Honolulu, tenants and buyers are increasingly gravitating towards premium, well-designed, and amenity-rich properties. Dated buildings with deferred maintenance are struggling, while modern, thoughtfully designed assets command higher rents and occupancy rates.

In the Los Angeles office market, this trend is palpable. Companies are leveraging high-end office space to entice employees back, demanding flexible floor plans, wellness amenities, integrated technology, and biophilic design elements that promote well-being. Gensler’s own Los Angeles office redesign serves as a living case study, transforming a floor into a "vertical creative campus" that fosters collaboration and has reportedly boosted employee attendance.

Douglas Emmett's recent completion of The Landmark Los Angeles, a 34-story luxury apartment tower in Brentwood, demonstrates their participation in this high-end market. The addition of Cohen to the board suggests a desire to embed this principle of excellence across their entire portfolio, from new ground-up constructions to the complex adaptive reuse projects they are undertaking. His deep understanding of tenant preferences and the "experience economy" can provide crucial insights to ensure Douglas Emmett’s properties are not just functional, but aspirational.

A New Blueprint for Industry Collaboration

Beyond the immediate benefits to Douglas Emmett, Cohen's board seat highlights a broader, evolving relationship between the worlds of architecture and real estate development. Historically, architects were often brought in to execute a developer's vision. This appointment suggests a more integrated model, where design thinking is embedded at the highest level of corporate strategy and governance.

By placing a design leader on its board, Douglas Emmett is better positioned to anticipate and shape future trends rather than merely react to them. Cohen’s global perspective from leading projects in over 100 countries can help the REIT identify emerging concepts in urban living and workplace design before they become mainstream. This could influence everything from acquisition strategy—prioritizing properties with unique adaptive reuse potential—to the specific amenities and sustainable technologies incorporated into future projects.

The board, which will revert to eight members following the retirement of veteran director Leslie E. Bider, gains a uniquely qualified and independent voice. This move could set a new precedent for major REITs, demonstrating the increasing value placed on design as a core component of long-term asset value and market leadership in supply-constrained, high-value urban centers. With Cohen’s guidance, Douglas Emmett is poised to write the next chapter of development in some of America’s most desirable coastal markets.