Service 03
Commercial to residential conversions
Change-of-use construction: fire separations, egress, services and finishes for new apartments.
Converting commercial space
We convert storefronts, small offices and upper floors into self-contained apartments.
A change of use from commercial to residential brings a different set of Building Code requirements. We price those items up front, and build them to the drawings and the inspector’s sign-off.
Buildings we work on
01
Main-street retail
Upper floors above shops converted to apartments, often while the store stays open.
02
Small offices
Low-rise office buildings stripped back and fitted out as apartments.
03
Mixed use
Retail kept at grade, with new residential floors above.
04
Light commercial
Service and workshop buildings, where zoning permits residential use.
Construction scope
- Strip-out and demolition
- Structural alterations
- Fire separations and fire protection
- Exits and egress for each unit
- Sound separation between units and floors
- New plumbing, venting and ventilation
- Windows, insulation and envelope upgrades
- Electrical service and separate metering
- Interior finishes
- City inspections through to occupancy
Building new on a major street
Some sites are better suited to a new mid-rise building than a conversion. We build those too.
Don Valley Village
Henry Farm
Renderings shown for projects in pre-construction. Unit counts subject to final approvals.
Questions
Can the ground-floor business stay open during construction?
Often, yes. We phase the work, separate the site from the store and plan noisy work and deliveries around business hours where we can.
Do you handle the change-of-use permit?
If you have drawings, we build to the permit. If not, we coordinate the design and the permit application with our architects and engineers.
Is a conversion cheaper than building new?
It can be, because the structure is reused, but fire, egress and mechanical upgrades can be significant. Where it is close, we price both.
Services
Other services
01
Multiplex conversions and new builds
New multiplexes from the ground up, plus conversions and additions that create new units.
02
Laneway and garden suites
Detached suites built from foundations to finishes, including servicing and site access.
04
Renovations
Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, additions and whole-house renovations, built to code.