Jeffrey Beers International

Jeffrey Beers is an architect, a designer, and an artist whose distinctive work brings emotion to modernism.  He studied architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design while learning glassblowing from the renowned artist Dale Chihuly.

He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and traveled to Brazil to study with the legendary Oscar Niemeyer. When he returned to New York he went to work for I.M. Pei. These masters define his vision: the dynamic use of space, subtle materiality, and tailored elegance.

In 1986 he established Jeffrey Beers International bringing his signature sensibility to some of New York’s most vibrant restaurants. He quickly expanded into hotels, resorts, and residences.

When he’s not brainstorming design ideas with his studio, you can find Jeffrey sculpting with molten glass, sailing off the coast of the Atlantic, or cooking a meal for family and friends.

Jennifer Costello, Executive Vice-President, has played a key role in the management of Jeffrey Beers International since 1997. With extensive experience in the hospitality industry and a lifelong passion for design, Jennifer works directly with clients to create viable roadmaps for transforming their projects into reality. During her time at JBI, Jennifer has overseen the exponential growth of the firm and also helped steer it through turbulent periods of the global economy. Today, JBI has evolved into a truly international studio, with projects in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Jennifer built the firm’s current studio system, and she currently directs all business and outreach efforts, including marketing, communications, and business development.

As Executive Director, John joined Jeffrey Beers International with an impressive background of design leadership spanning more than 30 years. He is an award-winning architect and design director with expertise in high-profile hospitality, residential, corporate, institutional, and commercial fields. Most recently, John held the position of Managing Director at Morris Adjmi Architects, where he successfully expanded the firm’s interior design practice. He also served as the Director of Interiors at SHoP, Studio Director at Clodagh, and Associate Principal at Studios Architecture in New York. John holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and is a registered architect in New York State.

Principal & Design Director Nora Kanter’s work marries technical precision and creative inspiration. Nora Kanter holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design degree from Tainan College in Taiwan. Nora’s experience ranges from large-scale retail environments to private residences and restaurants.

Prior to joining Jeffrey Beers International in 2002, she was a Project Designer at the Rockwell Group. Some of Nora’s notable projects include The Plaza Food Hall in New York, The Cove at Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas, Vida restaurant at the Fontainebleau in Miami, restaurants for Daniel Boulud, the high-end residential tower One57 in New York, One&Only resorts in Palmilla and The Bahamas, and Atlantis Sanya in China. Currently, she is working on the Boston Seaport commercial and residential development, a yacht club resort in Florida, and a One&Only resort in Costa Rica.

Michael Pandolfi, Design Director and Principal, earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the New York Institute of Technology and brings over 25 years of professional experience to Jeffrey Beers International.

Since joining JBI in 2000, Michael has worked on a range of projects including the LEED-certified InterContinental Hotel in Times Square, Platos Lounge at Atlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas, Waterside District in Virginia, Marriott Renaissance Hotel in New York, Gotham Market at The Ashland in Brooklyn, Firepoint Grill in Pennsylvania, Texas Live! in Dallas, and Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen in Las Vegas. Current projects include several restaurant concepts for Princess Cruises and Omni hotels.

The ever-effervescent Tim is known for overseeing several JBI’s iconic projects from the Fontainebleau Miami Beach to Roc Nation and to The Newbury Boston. He is also one of the studio’s role models offering unwavering support and mentorship to maturing designers.

With a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Detroit, Tim brings a meticulous eye to every stage of his projects that range from hospitality, to residential, and corporate. Clients admire him not only for his work ethic, but also for his positive nature and enthusiasm.

When not in the office or flying internationally to oversee project across the Caribbean, Middle East and Asia, Tim can be found on regular “foodie crawls” exploring restaurants around the Five Boroughs.   He owes this culinary prowess to being a line cook in his formative years—a worthy first career for a hospitality designer!

Ira brings a wealth of knowledge and international experience to JBI. He has overseen the interior design for a number of prestigious projects, designing luxury hotels, high-end restaurants, corporate offices, residential interiors, and golf clubs. His most memorable projects include the St Regis resort in Abu Dhabi and the Peninsula Branded Apartments in Myanmar.

The son of a famous Georgian set designer, Ira graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi, Georgia and began his career designing sets and costumes for premiere opera and theatrical performances. His talent was quickly recognized and he was invited to design uniforms for the Georgian national team for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA. A few years later he graduated from Georgia State University with a Masters degree in Fine Arts,
interior architecture and design.

Clients admire his design style and value his project management skills. Throughout the years he has also mentored a number of designers who respect him for
his unique team building and managing skills. His number one design tip is always try to simplify and refine.

Pierre Josselin, Studio Leader, has over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality and residential design. Pierre graduated with a degree in Interior Design from L’Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués in Paris and lived in London for 8 years before moving to the USA.

During his decade-long tenure with HBA as Associate, and as Senior Designer with Wimberly Interiors, he collaborated on many high-profile projects including Fairmont Washington D.C., The Ritz‐Carlton Panama, and the Fairmont Flame Towers in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pierre is currently working on the extensive renovation of multiple Fairmont properties, Four Seasons properties in Vail Colorado and Dallas Texas, and a private residence in the Middle East.

Nikoletta Stagias AIA, Interior Design Associate, received her Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University and her Master of Architecture from University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining JBI, Nikoletta worked as Project Manager and Interiors Associate for Stonehill Taylor in New York. Notable projects include Raffles Boston, InterContinental Barclay Hotel New York, Park Terrace Bryant Park and Nomad Hotel (NYC). While at JBI, she led the design of projects for Hilton and Omni Hotels.

Jennifer brings to JBI extensive knowledge in Architecture, Interiors, Hospitality and Retail Environments, as well as in Branding Strategy and Product Design. For over 20 years, she has practiced in the Design Industry leading teams at Ralph Lauren, Gucci and for Celebrity Designers. Working all over the world, she has created bespoke experiences in London, Rome, Paris, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Jennifer provides clients with well-conceived projects, which achieve the highest level of design for the budget/timeline, ensuring personalized environments that have room to evolve and adapt to a changing Lifestyle, or the needs of a Commercial Brand.

Inspired by Localized Culture, the Decorative Arts and Storytelling; Jennifer selects projects that push the boundaries of Design and Brand Identity. She loves the Wiener Werkstätte, Rossana Orlandi, a Classic Ramos Gin Fizz, Nouvelle Vague Cinema and Omakase.

Hee Seung Lee AIA NCARB, is a Senior Project Manager and Architectural Designer, who holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute School of Architecture. With over 20 years of professional experience, Hee Seung has worked with notable design firms including Champalimaud Design and Tihany Design. Prior to joining Jeffrey Beers International, Hee Seung oversaw the interior design development and construction of Four Seasons Jakarta hotel project in Indonesia which opened in 2016. Other notable hospitality projects in his experience include Hotel Bel-Air, Waldorf Astoria New York, and Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

At JBI, Hee Seung led award winning projects such as 277 Fifth Avenue, a high-end residential tower in Manhattan designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, and Sequoia Washington DC, an American cuisine restaurant w/ site-specific collaborative art installations. His latest project under construction is a large-scale integrated entertainment resort complex in Incheon, South Korea.

Robert is the lead on several of JBI’s hotel and restaurant projects and counts nightclubs and bar design as his favorite typology.  One of his most memorable JBI projects was TOY, a pop-up restaurant in New York’s trendy meatpacking district where he worked with local makers and was one of the first designers to use the now-ubiquitous projection mapping.

Robert holds a Master of Architecture and Urban Design and a Fullbright Scholarship.  He has lived and worked in locations as diverse as Brazil, Japan and Malaysia and held leadership positions at leading New York design firms ICrave and Rockwell Group.

Although he is a native New Yorker, Robert values the time he spent living around the world and learning about the art forms of other cultures.  An avid craftsman, you’ll often find Robert re-purposing vintage furniture in his basement.

Ayesha has been the lead or a number of projects and cruise ships at JBI, preferring to work in locations as far-flung as Saudi Arabia, Italy and Finland.

Ayesha Khan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Interior Design.  The daughter of a nomadic diplomat, she has lived and worked extensively in the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Ayesha is also an accomplished travel and design writer, having contributed to the likes of the Wall Street Journal and Architectural Digest.  When not in the office or on a work trip, you’ll find her scouring the globe for that next big story.

Jodel brings 23 years of experience to JBI as an architect and senior project manager having received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Miami. Prior to joining JBI, Jodel spent years with Rockwell Group and Tsao McKown where he completed entertainment and hospitality projects around the world.

For JBI, Jodel has been an instrumental team member in some of the firm’s largest and most complex projects managing CAD deliverables and coordination among large teams of consultants.

Recent projects include Hard Rock Atlantic City, INSPIRE entertainment resort in South Korea, and a 1.5 billion dollar cruise ship for a prominent entertainment company.

Victoria Hood oversees all outward-facing communications on behalf of the studio, including public relations, social media, award submissions, collaborations, and events.  She holds a Master’s degree in Communications and has over a decade of international experience in Europe, Asia and North America, undertaking assignments for a variety of hospitality, food & wine, and home décor companies.  Victoria has launched several prestigious JBI projects and counts Roc Nation as her most memorable.

Born in London and raised between Europe, New York and Sao Paulo, Victoria is proud of her nuanced international understanding which helps her promote JBI’s global work.  She is an avid chef and loves spending time with her dog Otis, who is a regular visitor at JBI’s office.