Are plans the same as promises? Are goals guarantees? And when it matters most, who do you trust to deliver the closest thing to a sure thing?
After 35 years of success, it would be easy to credit experience alone. However, experience without understanding is expensive. Knowledge can be learned, but wisdom is earned in the arena through real-world challenges and the decisions that follow. Knowing what to do is one thing. Knowing when and how to do it is what sets leaders apart.
In 2025, we celebrated award-winning work, a growing, dynamic, diverse team, and expanded our portfolio of services. In 2026 we will flex strong resolve to continue that evolution and growth, fueling our client’s transformations, expansions and performance.
Without further ado, we say to you Happy New Year!
With gratitude,
Your team at api(+)
Restaurant
OLIVIA
RESTAURANT DESIGN
Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida
5,550 square feet
Renowned Chef Chris Ponte, a James Beard Foundation Award nominee, has brought his modern Italian eatery to the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. He opened this 5,550-square-foot culinary destination, located on the ground floor of the striking 36-story Ascent tower, in January 2025.
services: space planning | interior design | architecture | construction administration
RETAIL CENTER
CASTO CENTER POINT AT WATERSIDE
GROUND UP LIFESTYLE CENTER
Lakewood Ranch, Florida
71,200 square feet
CASTO’s Center Point at Waterside is a dynamic 50-acre mixed-use development. Serving as the project designer and architect of record for its 71,200-square-foot retail component, api(+) created a modern retail landscape that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding community. The design emphasizes health and wellness tenants across four multi-level buildings, enhancing the center’s vibrancy and functionality. api(+) worked in close partnership with Brett Hutchens and the CASTO team.
services: placemaking | architecture | tenant development | tenant criteria manual | construction administration
RESTAURANT
CHICKEN GUY!
FLAGSHIP
Wesley Chapel, Florida
3,870 square feet
api(+) designed the original Chicken Guy! prototype alongside Robert Earl of Earl Enterprises and restaurant namesake Guy Fieri. Since then api(+) has rolled out many locations nationwide and most recently designed the 3,870-square-foot Wesley Chapel ground up flagship location featuring outdoor seating and dual drive-thru service lanes with franchisee Suhail Al-Rifaie.
services: brand strategy | store planning | interior design | décor | graphic design | architecture | construction administration
RETAIL CENTER
Regency Centers Avenida Biscayne
GROUND UP LIFESTYLE CENTER
Aventura, Florida
28,000 square feet
Avenida Biscayne is an upscale, outdoor oriented destination that celebrates the region’s weather and hospitality. Spanning 28,000 square feet, the center features exclusive retail and restaurant tenants. This year api(+) celebrated completion with Paula Henrique and the Regency team.
services: brand strategy | master planning | placemaking | architecture | graphic design | tenant criteria manual | tenant development | construction administration
SPECIALTY RETAIL
SURF STYLE
FLAGSHIP
Marathon, The Florida Keys
55,000 square feet
Surf Style, a beloved destination retailer with deep Florida roots, took its experiential retail concept to the next level with its new flagship location in Marathon, Florida. api(+) collaborated with Gilad Ovaknin and the Surf Style team to design this ground-up store spanning 55,000 square feet to serve as a premier destination for both locals and tourists. A standout feature is the FlowRider surf simulator, adding a dynamic entertainment element.
services: brand strategy | store planning | interior design | décor | graphic design | architecture | construction administration
RESTAURANT
PLANET HOLLYWOOD
EATERTAINMENT
Times Square, New York City, New York
17,500 square feet
Forget everything you know about Planet Hollywood. The new 17,500-square-foot Planet Hollywood, designed by api(+), debuted January 2025 in Times Square. This immersive, three-story experience surrounds guests with the sights, sounds, aromas, and culture of Hollywood, bringing “eat’ertainment” to the next level. api(+) also played a key role in the design of the co-located Chicken Guy!. api(+) partnered with Robert Earl and John Thall of Earl Enterprises to bring this exciting vision to life.
services: brand strategy | space planning | interior design | decor | graphic design | design control documents | construction administration
WAYFINDING + PLACEMAKING
CITY OF TAMPA WAYFINDING
COMMUNITY PLACEMAKING
Tampa, Florida
Supporting over 40 destinations, 15 parks, 5 garages, and the Riverwalk
api(+) is currently working with Cedric McRay and Courtney Orr of the City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency to develop a cohesive and branded wayfinding system for Downtown Tampa. The comprehensive citywide program addresses vehicular, bike and pedestrian traffic, and encourages motorists to park and take other modalities to their destinations. The program incorporates the neighborhood branding that api(+) developed for the Tampa Downtown Partnership, artfully distinguishing each of the 7 neighborhoods.
services: strategic imaging | analysis | concept development | programming | wayfinding
RESTAURANT
SKINS PAR & GRILL
EATERTAINEMENT
Ybor City, Florida
13,000 square feet
At Skins Par & Grill, golf goes beyond the green and dining exceeds expectations. api(+) partnered with Jason Barrett, Skins Par & Grill founder, to shape a new kind of hospitality environment that blends premium sports tech with refined design details, bold branding and a socially-forward layout. Guests will enjoy 8 state-of-the-art golf simulators, a lively bar and chef-crafted takes on American classics all – under one roof.
services: brand strategy | prototype design | interior design | space planning | decor | graphic design
RETAIL CENTER
SEAFLOWER
GROUND UP LIFESTYLE CENTER
Bradenton, Florida
20 acres
SeaFlower is a brand-new master planned community in Bradenton, Florida. api(+) collaborated with developers Redstone and CASTO Southeast to design the 20-acre mixed-use open-air coastal-inspired village center that will serve Seaflower residents. It features 50,000-square-foot Publix with a drive-thru pharmacy and attached liquor store. Additionally, api(+) developed a comprehensive signage, wayfinding, and environmental graphics package to brand the community, enhance its sense of place, and guide both residents and visitors. Construction began in 2025.
services: brand strategy | placemaking | graphic design | architecture | tenant development | construction administration
RESTAURANT
TAMPA WATERFRONT
GROUND UP RESTUARANT
Tampa, Florida
7,500 square feet
api(+) is thrilled to again partner with Chef Chris Ponte of OLIVIA, Ponte and On Swann, and with Bob Basham, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse and MVP Holdings, to bring a new waterfront restaurant concept to Tampa. The brand new concept, part of the MAA Breakwater multifamily development, will offer coastal fare, gorgeous waterfront views, and an unforgettable environment designed by api(+)! Construction began in early 2026.
services: brand strategy | space planning | architecture | interior design | construction administration
FOOD RETAIL
The wandering fork
URBAN GROCERY
Toronto, Canada
4,000 square feet
Alongside Adrian Gianello and Anna Belahov, api(+) is leading the rebrand and remodel of a 4,000-square-foot specialty grocer in downtown Toronto’s Entertainment District. Following a strategic assessment of customer feedback, demographics and competition, api(+) developed a repositioning strategy to transform the store into a modern culinary market. With a new brand identity and refreshed interior, the store will be the neighborhood destination for convenient freshly prepared culinary options.
services: repositioning strategy | branding | decor | graphic design | store planning | interior design
RESTAURANT
Valentino Pizzeria Trattoria
CASUAL DINING REFRESH
Sarasota, Florida
2,200 square feet
Founded in 2006, Valentino Pizzeria Trattoria is a beloved casual dining staple for the Sarasota community with three locations. Ready for a modern refresh, passionate restauranteur Michael Valentino has partnered with api(+) to bring new life to the original location. api(+) is honored to help usher in the next chapter of this cherished Sarasota staple.
services: brand strategy | store planning | interior design | decor | graphic design
RETAIL CENTER
publix
GROUND UP GROCERY
Middleton, Florida
50,000 square feet
Working with Brian Sellers of The Villages, api(+) is developing a new Publix to be built in Middleton. The store will feature Publix’s 50,000-square-foot prototype design, including a convenient drive-thru pharmacy, tailored to meet the needs of this vibrant and growing community.
services: brand strategy | placemaking | architecture | construction administration
WELLNESS
Balfour Clubhouse
COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER
Ocala, Florida
8,000 square feet
Designed for the On Top of the World master-planned community, the 8,000-square-foot Balfour Clubhouse center caters to modern, active retirees with a serene coastal-inspired aesthetic. Featuring neutral tones, soft woven textures, and floral biophilic wallpaper, the design harmonizes with the surrounding natural beauty. Amenities include an open exercise room, spinroom, offices, locker rooms, and restrooms, opening to a covered patio with a pool deck and cabanas. This project, designed by api(+) in collaboration with Eric Main and Linda Massarella-Aiosa, embodies refined relaxation and will open in 2026.
services: brand strategy | space planning | architecture | interior design | decor | graphic design | construction administration
RETAIL CENTER
Elevation Point
GROUND UP RETAIL CENTER
St. Augustine, Florida
110 acres
Elevation Point is a 110-acre mixed-use project that includes a diverse array of components and api(+) is providing multidisciplinary design services to create a cohesive and market-driven development. We are working with Cornerstone Collard to design a Publix with a drive-thru pharmacy and attached liquor store, attached shops, outparcels and placemaking to establish a unique sense of place for the development.
services: brand strategy | placemaking | architecture | construction administration
Specialty Retail
Shoprite Wine & Spirits
PROTOTYPE
Medford, New Jersey
12,000 square feet
Anticipated to open in late 2026 in Medford, New Jersey, this 12,000-square-foot store was designed by api(+) for David Zallie to blend tradition with modernity. The design highlights the craftsmanship of winemaking and distilling through three zones: the Vintage Reserve wine room, Icebox beer cooler, and a central area featuring spirits, charcuterie, and hosting essentials. This inviting space elevates the shopper experience, encouraging customers to explore fine wines, beer and spirits.
services: branding | store planning | architectural design | interior design | decor | graphic design
Convenience Store
Fresh Stop
UPSCALE CONVENIENCE PROTOTYPE
5,000 square feet
Working with Ryan Hanks of Madison Capital Group, api(+) is designing a 5,000-square-foot prototype for a new upscale convenience and fuel concept intentionally crafted for rollout, as Madison Capital Group seeks sites across the Southeast. Emphasizing first-class customer service, quality, and community, the design concept embodies its brand identity.
services: brand strategy | store planning | architecture | interior design | decor | graphic design | construction administration
RETAIL CENTER
Mariana Acres
GROUND UP CENTER
Auburndale, Florida
9 acres
api(+) partnered with Cornerstone Collard to design a ground up Publix with a drive-thru pharmacy and attached liquor store, attached shops, outparcels and placemaking to establish a unique sense of place for the development. Ground broke in early 2025 and Publix completion is expected in early 2026.
services: brand strategy | placemaking | architecture | construction administration
Professional Stewardship
We take pride in actively shaping and supporting the industries and communities we serve. This year, our team is honored to have been involved with the organizations listed below.
api(+) In the News
The team behind the work
api(+) Team Milestones
We are grateful for our many team members that have been with us for many years. Congratulations to those who have celebrated 5 or more years with our company!
Judy • 26 | Li • 21 | John • 20 | Juliette • 13 | Carrie • 10 | Joan • 9 | Jeff • 7 | Rachel • 6
New Team Members
In 2024, we grew our diverse and creative team with the addition of Renee, Ed, Deighton + Luke. Welcome to the team. We’re so happy you’re here!
Tiger Award Winners
Each year api(+) recognizes employees who have consistently distinguished themselves for their resolve, agility, tenacity, accountability, effectiveness, pride and can-do attitude with the api(+) Tiger Award. Congratulations to our 2025 Tigers: Lisa, Courtney + Renee!
