Arcadis Announces New Living Practice Principal
Arcadis has welcomed Anna Abreu as Living Practice Principal. Under Abreu’s leadership, the firm will expand its capabilities to design beautiful and impactful spaces across hospitality, multifamily, and mixed-use developments. Abreu will leverage her decades of design experience to unify efforts across Arcadis’ Boca Raton, Orlando, Miami, and South and Central Florida offices, further enhancing the firm’s collaborative culture.
“Arcadis offers the creative runway I’ve always envisioned—a place where global talent and diverse expertise converge to deliver integrated design solutions,” says Abreu. “I believe that great architecture begins with deep listening and observation, and I’m excited to translate those insights into spaces that impact people’s lives.”
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Abreu was influenced by her mother, an artist and entrepreneur who owned her own advertising firm, and her father, a federal agent. Her early exposure to design's creative and practical aspects led her to pursue a career that balanced both. After earning her master’s degree, she traveled to Hawaii before gaining experience at various firms, including two notable years as a design architect at WATG.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Abreu moved to New Orleans, where she spent four years restoring a historic theatre in collaboration with a local architect. Returning to Miami, she specialized in high-end hotel restoration and exclusive projects on Fisher Island before relocating to St. Petersburg to focus on age-restricted housing and large mixed-use developments.
Throughout her career, Abreu has found passion in merging hospitality and multifamily amenities. "Anna will serve as a conduit between different sectors, connecting the dots between hospitality and multifamily," comments Dan Freed, Principal and Miami Office Leader. "Her experience allows her to merge design philosophies from both realms, resulting in beautifully cohesive projects that drive innovation."
Over the past four years, Abreu has been at the forefront of navigating Florida’s rapidly evolving market, guiding projects through the complexities of value engineering and ensuring financial viability while maintaining design integrity. Her forward-thinking approach aligns with Arcadis’ vision for shaping environments that enhance lives and communities.
Passionate about fostering operational efficiency and team engagement, Abreu’s focus on utilization and effective collaboration has already enhanced the synergy between the firm’s Florida offices, enabling a streamlined approach to project execution. Working closely with Business Development Manager Joy Watson, Abreu will strengthen client relationships further, explore new opportunities, and continue aligning Arcadis’ offerings with market demands.
Abreu’s appointment marks a significant step forward for Arcadis in Florida, reinforcing a commitment to delivering exceptional projects and driving design innovation for the firm’s architecture and urbanism division. Her leadership and expertise will contribute to Arcadis’ regional success and growth.