PADZZLE by Anna Domingo

LinKedin As we celebrate  World Elevator Day , I find myself reflecting on a career shaped by vertical transportation. To the general public, an elevator is a utility. To those of us who design, operate, and market world-class observation decks, it is the heartbeat of the entire business model. In the world of "placemaking" at 1,000 feet, the key to success isn't just the view - it’s the journey to get there. From "Painful" Queues to 4.8M Visitors My obsession with vertical transportation started 23 years ago at the  Empire State Building . My "first baby" was a trial by fire. Serving as Marketing Director in a post-9/11 landscape without timed ticketing was, to put it mildly, a logistical mountain. Yet, in that first year, we managed to move  4.8 million visitors  to the top. That experience set the foundation for everything I do today at  PADZZLE . It taught me that quality and time are the two most important variables in observatory management. If y...

  Walking through the streets of New York City, something troubling is happening in plain sight. We’ve all seen them: the iconic green newsstands that once served as the city's information hubs. But look closer at their transformation. Today, these kiosks have quietly evolved into  sugar stands . They are no longer about news; they are walls of candy, towers of soda, and rows of ultra-processed snacks. It is a stark, neon-lit snapshot of what is wrong with nutrition in the U.S. today:  Sugar is everywhere, but nourishment is nowhere. Convenience vs. Care This isn't just a matter of personal choice or "bad habits." This is a structural issue. Sugar in this form is engineered for craving, heavily subsidized, and strategically placed on nearly every high-traffic corner—especially those near our schools, hospitals, and transit hubs. When "convenience" becomes a euphemism for "cheap calories," care for the community falls out of the equation. We are sac...

 Padzzle  Placemaking with Purpose  at Inspire Conference, humanization is the new personalization. How can we humanize and make profit through Placemaking? We had the opportunity to be part of a talented panel moderated by Sonia Santana. Do you want to learn more? 

  For PADZZLE, placemaking isn’t just a buzzword — it’s our mission. We were honored to be the very first guest on  Coffee Convos with Kelsi Cory , where our founder, Anna Domingo , shared how we approach real estate with a unique blend of purpose, people, and profit. “Placemaking, in our case, we do placemaking with purpose. This is pretty much our trademark,” Anna explained. “Our mantra is to provide purpose, profit, people-centered.” Interview link here: https://youtu.be/yVD_KeA5Qds?t=104 Whether we’re breathing new life into an existing building through adaptive reuse or conceptualizing a brand-new mixed-use development from scratch, our goal is always the same: to create spaces that foster connection, belonging, and joy. PADZZLE collaborates with developers, architects, and communities to transform spaces into places people truly love. From vibrant public plazas to reimagined commercial corridors, our projects are rooted in both local identity and global insight. Wit...

  Creating spaces that bring people together, whether through art, architecture, or community development, is at the heart of placemaking. But as technology evolves, the way we experience these spaces is also changing. Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and the metaverse promise to transform the experience, offering accessibility and unique perspectives. However, can these digital tools truly replace the depth and authenticity of real-world experiences? Drawing on my reflections and past work, this blog explores the debate between virtual and real placemaking—when does technology enhance, and when does it fall short? Revisiting Placemaking at Its Best When I think of extraordinary placemaking, my mind always returns to The Gates by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in Central Park, 2005. Standing amidst 7,503 flowing saffron panels, it was impossible not to feel inspired, engaged, and deeply present. This unique installation wasn’t just art—it was an experience, drawing mill...

  Wrapping Up 2024 with Gratitude and Excitement for the Year Ahead As the holiday season draws near and we prepare to step into 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journeys we’ve had this year. At PADZZLE 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it's all thanks to you—our trusted clients. This year, we had the privilege of working on remarkable projects across the globe. From the bustling energy of New York City to the serene landscapes of The Caribbean , the innovative pulse of Los Angeles , the timeless allure of Egypt , and the dynamic future of Riyadh , each project has been a testament to collaboration, innovation, and vision. Here’s what made 2024 truly special: Innovation in Design – We’ve tackled ambitious projects that redefined placemaking with cutting-edge ideas and forward-thinking approaches. New Visions for Placemaking and Entertainment – Together, we’ve created spaces and experiences that inspire joy, community, and connection. ...

  Just recently, I spent a few days in Lloret de Mar—a beautiful Mediterranean destination my family has frequented for decades. Every visit brings a duality of emotions. I return refreshed, basking in the crystal-clear waters and enjoying new spots like the stunning Castell cocktail bar. But I leave upset, frustrated by the town’s stubborn adherence to an obsolete tourism model. Lloret de Mar continues to cling to mass tourism, and it’s a model that no longer makes sense. The numbers back this up. Lloret de Mar offers around 30,000 rooms , a staggering figure for such a small city. To put this into perspective, Barcelona has about 39,000 rooms , and New York, a global behemoth, has around 123,000 rooms, minus 16,000 used for non-hospitality purposes like immigration housing. Why does this matter? Because while Lloret de Mar remains anchored to an outdated concept , it misses opportunities for more sustainable and profitable models. The pre-pandemic tourism data shows little to n...

A few days ago, I was mesmerized by vintage pictures of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) featured in an article by Los Angeles Magazine . The article, written by Jean-Christophe Dick, LAX Airport Historian and President of the Flight Path Museum, showcased the architectural visions proposed in the mid-1950s. These historical renderings evoked a sense of nostalgia and admiration for the foresightedness of the architects who viewed airports as not just transit points but as spaces that could offer memorable experiences beyond travel. This took me back to a pivotal moment in my life as a young traveler at the age of 19.  I found myself stranded at Madrid's airport, waiting for six hours with absolutely nothing to do. It was 1990, and I remember feeling frustrated by the lack of amenities or entertainment options. It struck me then that airports had the potential to be so much more than just places you hurriedly pass through. Fast forward to today, and the landscape of airports ...

My latest article on the power of placemaking has landed a spot in this month's edition of  Retail & Leisure International . 📖 In today's landscape, creating meaningful spaces isn't just about aesthetics; it's about striking a harmonious balance between ROI and nurturing community engagement. I've dived into how businesses and developers can achieve this blend and why it's a crucial consideration for sustainable growth and enriched collective experiences. Join the conversation: What's your experience integrating placemaking into your business strategy? Have you witnessed the transformation it brings? I’d love to hear your insights.

  🌆 Embrace the Power of Placemaking and Roundabouts 🚗 As urban development continues to shape the future of our cities, two concepts stand out: placemaking and roundabouts. Let's explore how these elements contribute to vibrant communities and efficient traffic management. 🏙️ Placemaking: Creating Spaces that Thrive Placemaking goes beyond constructing buildings; it's about creating spaces that foster community, connection, and well-being. By integrating public art, green spaces, and pedestrian-friendly design, placemaking enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. It's a powerful tool for shaping the identity and character of our cities. 🚦 Roundabouts: Efficiency and Safety in Motion Roundabouts are not just traffic circles; they are modern, efficient solutions for managing traffic flow. Compared to traditional intersections, roundabouts reduce congestion, minimize travel delays, and enhance safety by eliminating head-on and high-speed side-impact ...

Luxury Hotel Technology Trends We are thrilled to announce our participation as speakers at the upcoming conference on luxury hotel technology trends. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of technology and its impact on the luxury hotel experience. Allow us to introduce ourselves: Dr. Lisa Cain and I will be sharing our insights and expertise on this exciting topic.

Fue un honor poder participar en el  #ShoppingCentersMetaSummit2023    en Guatemala el mes pasado. Esta primera edición de altísimo nivel en ponencias y organización es seguro la primera de muchas más ediciones en el futuro. Desde #Padzzle aportamos nuestro granito de arena para hablar de lo que sabemos: #PLACEMAKING y en este caso focalizado a #retailexperiences. El  panel moderado por Jorge Lizan, CEO de  Retail Lizan Advisors y con las invitadas , Kelly Kroger, CEO de C&A en México y Anna Domingo de PADZZLE conversó sobre nuevos conceptos, innovación y #placemaking. Deseamos regresar con propuestas de #placemaking y valor para #Guatemala.

Really interesting article from our founder interviewing Ken Shannon, Vp of Architecture, Design & Construction at Playa Hotels & Resorts. @Padzzle we would like to hear more about design, rethinking spaces and dynamics for a better #placemaking options. Reach out to our team at the following link if you are interested to contribute.

As a board member of ILHA USA is an honor to participate as speaker at #Inspireconference2022 #ILHA  This conference is an opportunity to change knowledge, innovation and expand your point of view.

Music, from all forms of arts is for most of us the most important. Music allows us traveling to sensations, emotions, and feelings.    Today, I can select one of my multiple curated playlists and determine what mood or sense of being I’d like to feel.   Last June flying back home listening to music, I selected a playlist which helped me to focus and concentration. I wanted to be relaxed and focus to write after spending 24h in Nashville.   Nashville, what a great destination! I love the city vibe and its genuine authenticity. No wonder it is branded as Nashville music city.     June 2021 and the airport was busy with domestic leisure tourism. However, I observed some business travelers as myself.   Nashville achieved pre-pandemic  16.1M  visitors with $179 average daily spend and 91% rate return.   2021 offered a favorable recovery for Nashville vs other destinations, perhaps for its rooted domestic traveler.   Nashville orchestrat...

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I am honored to be featured alongside such incredible female leaders. Thank you  #womenleaders Un gran honor estar nominada conjuntamente con este grupo de mujeres increíbles listadas en la primera edición de mujeres españolas en el exterior. Muchas gracias!  #mujeresycia   #liderazgofemenino