Meet Our Architectural Designer Wade Steely

Originally from Westchester County, Wade was drawn to architecture as a creative and tangible way to make a positive impact on communities. After completing his undergraduate studies in French and Economics, he pursued his Master of Architecture at the Spitzer School of Architecture at City College of New York. One of his most impactful experiences there was a studio that partnered with a community land trust, where students collaborated with local stakeholders to reimagine vacant lots—a process that reinforced the value of architecture with a public focus. He joined ESKW/Architects full time in 2024 after interning with the firm the previous summer.

At ESKW/A, Wade has contributed to Bridge Inwood and the FAC Cluster, taking part in design development, Revit modeling, consultant coordination, and construction administration. He is working toward professional licensure and plans to begin exams in the coming year.

Wade is especially interested in civic and community-focused projects such as schools and libraries, where design can directly enrich daily life. Outside the office, he enjoys songwriting, playing guitar and banjo, crafting crossword puzzles and maps, and running—he is currently training for the NYC Marathon.