Housing
We are architects, engineers, designers and urbanists.
Placemaking for a Modern World
We design at every scale and every stage in the process of placemaking, from visioning to briefing, design, delivery and operation. The places we create are distinct; social, natural, valuable and beautiful – a reflection of humanity.
The practice has grown to over 1,300 people operating from a collaborative network of global studios, all creative hubs connected to the cities and regions they serve.
Developing new communities to match the rapid pace of global urbanization, we have extensive experience delivering award-winning residential projects for public and private sector clients.
We combine expertise across disciplines, locations, sectors and all major building types to deliver a truly integrated way of working – resulting in high-quality, practical and inspiring built spaces.
BDP’s residential work is at the forefront of design for many diverse mixed-use and standalone residential projects.
Sustainable Homes
True sustainability lies in meeting the ‘triple bottom line’ of environmental, social, and economic conditions; we help clients meet these aims through our collaborative design process. We work with our clients to build a bespoke sustainability strategy aligned with their development goals. Through this process, goals are set for material selection, operational and embodied carbon, energy performance, indoor air quality, access to nature, daylight and views,
complete communities and social value.
We start from passive design principles, looking for opportunities to optimize the building form, solar exposure, window and wall performance. From here we work with our engineers to select quality systems, smart controls and opportunities to tie into renewable or district energy systems.
The greenest building is the one already built. Where possible, we identify opportunities for reuse, refurbishment, re-purposing of materials/buildings, saving raw materials and embodied carbon.
Our sustainable design expertise has assisted clients with achieving internationally recognized standards and accreditations for their projects, from large-scale urban environments to the specification of an individual building.
Adaptive Reuse and Intensification
A major first step in creating environmentally and socially sustainable development is to maximize the utilization of our existing hard and soft infrastructure. Intensification of existing sites is a natural step that follows in this approach, and we believe adapting existing buildings should always be considered before building new.
Adaptive reuse of existing buildings is a low embodied carbon approach to site intensification. We have long-established experience in creatively re-imagining the program of existing structures of varying typologies, including older buildings with historic and cultural significance.
130 Bloor (Before) | Toronto, Canadaon Richmond | Toronto, Canada
StudioUrban Densification
Cities are evolving into densely populated, green, mixed-use centers linked by pedestrian and transportation. By 2050, nearly two-thirds of the global population will be urban dwellers. Our multi-disciplinary design practice is well-equipped to address the ensuing challenges.
Central to this transformation is the urgent need for urban densification, which entails creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods near essential services and open spaces. This approach emphasizes transit-oriented expansion, reimagining the potential for mid-rise and tall structures.
Great Places to Live
Neighborhoods and communities that are great places to live deliver many measurable benefits, such as social integration, improved health and well-being, and increased productivity.
Our aim is always to design high-quality residential buildings and mixed-use developments with the right mix of elements and density that will successfully navigate the complexities of the planning process while safeguarding the project’s placemaking aims and long-term value.
Gallery Square | Markham, CanadaLocation
Toronto, Canada
Client
KingSett Capital Inc.
Size
620,000 sf
Completion 2020
An addition and renovation to a mixed-use building from the 1970s, 99 Gerrard provides density and growth by creating 274 purpose-built rental residential units. The new building features a refined design with a transparent, inviting podium visible from the street. Improved amenities and an expanded range of housing options give new life to this older structure. 99 Gerrard has received the LEED Platinum certification and winner of CTBUH Repositioning Award.
307 Lake Shore Boulevard East
Location Toronto, Canada
Client
Plaza Partners
Cost
Undisclosed
Completion
Ongoing
Situated on Toronto’s waterfront, 307 Lake Shore Boulevard East is a key site at the foot of Parliament Street that will create a dramatic introduction to the lake front. A generous pedestrian promenade will extend along the north side of the building, animated by the community space and the residential lobby. Adding to the memorable character of the flat iron-shaped tower is a lattice of offset triangular balconies wrapping the building. Designed to Passive Haus standards as part of a progressive, sustainable design will also be embedded into the structure with an aspiration to a net zero carbon future. Winner of CTBUH Future Project Award.
Ar SuArmada Housing, Paleiskwartier, Den Bosch
Ar Location ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands Client Credo Integrale Planontwikkeling BV Completion 2003
Longhouses and Tallhouses are set along a watercourse, creating a striking centerpiece at the heart of a new urban quarter in one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful historic towns. The orientation and shaping of the buildings are determined by the local micro-climatic character and are designed to maximize light to the apartments and reduce wind turbulence.
130 Bloor Street West
Ar
Location Toronto, Canada
Client KingSett Capital Inc
Completion 2009
A unique collection of luxury condominium units were built on top of an existing commercial tower on the busiest and most desirable stretch of Toronto’s “Mink Mile.”
130 Bloor is an innovative approach to heritage and intensification, preserving a 1960s office tower and a famous penthouse while adding luxurious apartments above a busy, occupied urban structure. Winner of RAIC Innovation in Architecture Award.
1181 Queen Street West
Location Toronto, Canada
Client Skale Developments
Completion 2023
As a gateway into the West Queen West neighborhood, the mainstreet responds to its context with a proportional street wall along Queen Street and a series of terraces stepping to the south, framing the historic Gladstone Hotel. Irregular floorplates create unique, large end-user units with adjoining terraces, providing the neighborhood with an alternative to the single-family home.
Ar
Location
Toronto, Canada
Client
Urban Capital
Property Group
Completion
Ongoing
Reina, a mid-rise residential building in Toronto, is designed, developed, engineered, and constructed by an all-woman-led team. Featuring an incredibly robust set of amenities 25% larger than the City requires, the design considers feedback from a year-long consultation process with a range of users including multi-generational families, parents with young or adolescent children, and singles. The result is a contemporary mid-rise with atypically large, flexible floor plans, generous outdoor spaces, a forward-thinking amenity program geared towards fostering community and familiarity between residents, and a family-friendly addition to the community.
ReinaRUSH
Location
Toronto, Canada
Client Alterra Group of Companies
Size 94,300 sf
Completion 2022
RUSH is a contextual response to surrounding developments and the neighborhood, located within the King-Spadina - a Heritage Conservation District and a designated “Regeneration Area.” The introduction of controlled graffiti along the exterior ground level of the 15-story condominium embraces the influence of Rush Lane (“Graffiti Alley”). It harmoniously integrates with the neighborhood’s fabric while providing density.
DUKE Condominiums
Ar
Location Toronto, Canada
Client TAS DesignBuild
Completion
2017
DUKE is a seven-story condominium in the heart of Toronto’s Junction neighborhood that adds a diverse mix of apartments, live/ work units, and retail to a vibrant and growing community. Retail facing the main streets engages the public, while a laneway of live/ work units draws pedestrians and diverse, unique businesses. Winner of Toronto Urban Design Award with an Award of Merit.
Landsea Eco-Housing
Location
Nanjing, China
Client Landsea
Completion 2012
A medium-density development in the suburbs of Nanjing provides several hundred units with parkland and recreational facilities. Full-height louvered triple glazing on the southeast balconies offers a changeable and dynamic passive design, with advanced measures such as super-insulation, low air leakage, and eliminating thermal bridging to maximize energy savings at a minimal cost.
Ar Ac Li SuAbito Apartments
Location
Salford, UK
Client
ASK Property
Developments
Completion
2009
The Abito development features 290 high quality modular apartments designed to a tight budget; achieved by re-evaluating live/ work patterns, overlapping functional areas and taking advantage of the economies of scale derived from using repeatable service pods containing a bathroom, utility cupboard, kitchen and wardrobe. The apartments are arranged on the site in a manner that creates an internal and weather protected courtyard. The large-scale industrial design aesthetic informs much of Abito’s structure and appearance, with ‘clipped-on’ steel balconies as an extension to each studio apartment.
36 Hazelton
Location Toronto, Canada
Client Alterra Group of Companies
Size
54,000 sf
Completion 2015
A luxury condominium built on top of a heritage schoolhouse in Toronto’s landmark Yorkville district, 36 Hazelton features a restored three-story brick and stone façade with a seven-story zinc and glass structure behind. This 20-unit condominium expresses luxury and heritage, showcasing Yorkville’s history while addressing its present.
Bata Shoe Factory
Ar
Location
Toronto, Canada
Client Batawa Development Corporation
Completion
2019
The adaptive reuse of Bata’s former shoe factory in the Town of Batawa is the centerpiece of a vision to transform the former industrial town into a new model for rural sustainable development. Residential apartments, retail, and community uses occupy the original structure, now enhanced with large windows, new balconies, and a welcoming lobby, reestablishing what was once the center of Batawa as a destination.
Toy Factory Lofts
Location Toronto, Canada
Completion 2007 Ar
Client The Toy Factory of Hanna Developments Inc.
Size 2.23 acres
A former industrial building in Toronto’s Liberty Village, The Toy Factory Lofts was converted into a mix of commercial offices, residences, and work/live spaces. The Toy Factory Lofts project involved a strategic combination of renovations, additions, demolition, and new construction that integrated components of the historic building design with innovative contemporary features. Toy Factory Lofts was honored with an Honorable Mention at the 2009 Toronto Urban Design Awards.
Candy
Factory Lofts
Location Toronto, Canada
Client Norford Investments
Limited / The Metrontario Group / CMIC Computer Methods
Size 229,000 sf Completion 1998
A vacant century-old heavy timber and masonry factory building was restored and thoughtfully transformed into 120 residential lofts in downtown Toronto’s Queen West neighborhood. The restoration of this underused site demonstrates the power of renewal, signaling change for an entire urban neighborhood’s contemporary reinvention.
Ar IDLocation Stockport, UK Client
Development plans to bring Weir Mill, a Grade II listed former mill in Stockport, back to life. The reimagined Weir Mill will feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as 24,000 sq ft of commercial space across the multiple buildings.
Weir MillGallery Square (HS1)
Location Downtown Markham, Canada
Client The Remington Group Size
750,000 sf
Completion
Ongoing
The first of three ambitious, upscale residential towers in the emerging Downtown Markham community, Gallery Square will have its focal point built around a central public courtyard, with a grand three-story staircase and seating along an outdoor promenade.
Ar IDGallery Square (HS2)
Ar ID
Location
Downtown Markham, Canada
Client The Remington Group Size
610,000 sf
Completion
Ongoing
Completing the mega-block development begun by Gallery Square, Gallery Towers defines the perimeter streets with a seven-story podium building and marks two important intersections with towers of 25 and 30 stories. The towers are differentiated by cladding, color, and integration with the podium, with the taller of the two lifted above curtain wall glazing to reveal extensive amenity space. A fully integrated architectural and interior design approach allows for a seamless blend of interior and exterior elements.
Indigenous Hub
Location
Toronto, Canada
Client
Dream Kilmer Tricon, Anishnawbe Health
Toronto Size
440,000 sf
Completion
Ongoing
This new mixed-use development in the Canary District aims to articulate Indigenous values and principles through its design. The program includes a new four-story health center; a four-story education, employment, and training center with a municipallyoperated child care facility; restoration of the historic Canary Restaurant building for commercial use; a 13-story condominium; and an 11-story rental building. Winner of WAFX Award and shortlisted for WAF Future Projects category.
St George Developments, Grand Union Phase I
Location
Alperton, UK
Client St George
Developments Ltd
Cost
Confidential
Completion 2024
Canalside housing development comprises four buildings varying in height from five to 14 stories. It will accommodate 400 apartments, residents’ facilities, a community center, a nursery, a food store, a restaurant, a café, a bowling alley, residents’ car parking, and a high-quality public realm. A mix of tenures is provided, including affordable rent, shared ownership, and market housing for sale.
St George Developments, Grand Union Phase II
Location
London, UK
Client
St George Developments Ltd
Cost
Confidential
Completion
Ongoing
The second phase of this canal-side housing development comprises four separate buildings accommodating 525 apartments, residents’ car parking, and a high-quality public realm. A mix of tenures is provided, including affordable rentals, shared ownership, and market housing for sale.
Ar IDPlumstead West Thamesmead
Location London, UK
Client
St George
Developments Ltd
Cost
Confidential
Completion
Ongoing
Design and delivery of significant new development at the gateway to Thamesmead. The project, a joint venture between Berkeley Homes and Peabody, transforms a vacant 17-acre industrial site into a dynamic new neighborhood with housing, local retail, and a new town park. The project will deliver 1,750 new homes (40% affordable) and features a biodiverse landscape with active play spaces to encourage healthy living.
Expo 5 - CG Tower
Location
Vaughan, Canada
Client
Cortel Group
Size
604,000 sf
Completion
Ongoing
At 60 stories, CG Tower is a landmark residential building in the Vaughan Metropolitan Center that infuses art with the public realm and which will connect Highway 7 to the new Edgeley Park. The progressive step-backs of the form and distinctive brick cladding will rise above the nearby emerging cluster of towers with a unique and eye-catching expression. With a larger wall to window ratio and better envelope performance than industry standards, the schedule is greatly improved by developing an innovative pre-glazed precast cladding construction technology.
The Quay
Location
Toronto, Canada
Client Coal Harbour Properties Size 522,000 sf
Completion 2016
These older twin buildings located on Toronto’s waterfront required a complete refresh to be brought up to date. The purpose was to build rental units and refresh the building envelope. New windows were included, and the significant changes helped revitalize the units and reinvigorate the community.
101 Roehampton
Location Toronto, Canada
Client Arcanos Property Management Corp.
Size
300,400 sf
Completion
Fall 2023
The Hampton is located at 101 Roehampton Avenue in the burgeoning Yonge and Eglinton community of midtown Toronto, near the confluence of two major subway lines. The development consists of a new purpose-built 38-story residential rental tower constructed adjacent to and integrated with a 19-story 1970s vintage apartment building. The project will add 255 new rental units to the 128 existing apartments. The design features a disciplined window grid inserted into a solid brick and precast concrete panel exterior and advanced mechanical features that offer both energy efficiency and a high degree of resident comfort.
Pivot - Yonge & Sheppard Center
Location Toronto, Canada
Client
RioCan and KingSett
Capital Size
1,297,858 sf
Completion
2020
The residential tower of the Yonge Sheppard Center borrows on the materiality of the overall project with clean, contemporary lines and the granite at the tower’s podium tied into the black granite curve of the mall. The tower remains distinctive in its massing details with crisp and clean lines that highlight its durability as a sustainable rental property close to transit and flush with nearby amenities. Winner of Toronto Urban Design Award with an Award of Merit.
Gorton Street
Location Salford, UK
Ongoing Ar
Client Progressive Living Size 15,500 sf
Completion
Gorton Street is a 38-story co-living project in the Greengate regeneration area of Salford on the boundary with Manchester’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter. The physical constraints of the site, bounded by the River Irwell, the railway viaduct and adjacent buildings has created an opportunity to explore ideas and develop a design concept around a tall, slender tower with a lower level plinth. The plan is organized around an internal slender core that enables open aspects and views around all elevations. The concept allows the communal amenities to have panoramic views.
Selected Awards
BDP has won over 1,000 awards for design quality –a selection of our awards is listed below.
RIBA Award
• Abito Apartments, Salford, UK
Civic Trust Commendation
• Abito Apartments, Salford, UK
RICS Regional Award
• Abito Apartments, Salford, UK
MIPIM Award
• Armada Housing, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Holland (Finalist – Best Residential Development category)
Mixology Awards
• 99 Gerrard, Toronto (Finalist –Project of the Year – Living Interiors)
Architect of the Year Award
• 2007 BDP (Winner – Private Housing Architect of the Year)
Regeneration Award
• Armada Housing, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Holland (International Regeneration Award)
Insider Property Award (North West)
• Abito Apartments, Greengate, Salford (Residential Developer of the Year)
Daily Mail UK Property Award
• Witham Wharf, Lincolnshire (architecture and development categories)
• Abito Apartments, Greengate, Salford (Winner – Interior Design)
Architectural Society of China
National Renju Award
• Landsea Eco Housing, Nanjing, China
• Jinchen Villas, Shanghai, China
Publieksprijs (Best-Loved Building Award)
• Armada Housing, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Holland
BEX (Building Exchange) Award
• Armada Housing, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Holland (Regeneration Achiever)
North of England Property Executive Development Award for Excellence
• Abito Apartments, Greengate, Salford (Resitial Award for Excellence)
Roses Design Award
• Abito Apartments, Greengate, Salford (Gold Award – Residential category)
Manchester Society Of Architects
Design Award
• Abito Apartments, Salford Quays (Commendation – Large Scale Residential)
• Abito Apartments, Greengate, Salford (Large Residential Category)
What House Award
• Parkway, Newbury (Silver – Best Mixed -Use Development)
• Abito Apartments, Salford Quays (Gold – Best Apartment Scheme)
National Homebuilder Design Award
• Round Foundry, Holbeck, Leeds (Commendation – Best Mixed Use Development)
Concept for Living Award
• Abito Apartments, Greengate, Salford (Best New Build Apartment – North West Region)
York Design Awards
• Lowfield York (Lord Mayor’s Award and Multiple dwelling – Residential Award)
CTBUH - 2023 - Best Tall Building Awards
• 99 Gerrard - Repositioning
• 307 Lake Shore - Future Project
BILD Awards
• Biblio - Best Mid-Rise Building
Active House
• Bata Shoe Factory - Transforming Active Spaces
ARIDO Awards
• 99 Gerrard
• York Condos
WAF 2022
• Indigenous Hub
Architizer A+ Awards
• Yonge Sheppard - Commercial
• Bata Shoe Factory - Architecture + Adaptive Reuse
Toronto Urban Design Awards
• Yonge Sheppard - Award of Merit
• DUKE- Award of Merit
Markham Urban Design Awards
• Markham Downtown - Master Plan
Top 100: Interior Design Rising Giants 2021
• BDP Quadrangle
RichardWitt
Principal richard.witt@bdp.com
RosalindTsang
Studio Director, NYC rosalind.tsang@bdp.com
MichelleXuereb Director of Innovation michelle.xuereb@bdp.com
OssieAirewele
Senior Associate, Residential + Mixed-Use Lead, North America ossie.airewele@bdp.com bdp.com
Cover: 307 Lake Shore Boulevard East
Photography: Adrien Williams, Scott Norsworthy, Michael Muraz, Riley Snelling, Nick Caville, Ben Rahn, Bob Gundu, Tom Arban, Robert Burley, Tom Ridout, Simon Tanenbaum
Key to professions:
Ar Architecture
Ac Acoustics
BSE Building Services Engineering
C&S Civil and Structural Engineering
DM Design Management
GD Graphic Design
InD Inclusive Design
ID Interior Design
La Landscape Architecture
Li Lighting
Ma Masterplanning
Pl Planning
Su Sustainability
UD Urban Design
“Exceptional residential and mixed-use architecture harmonizes functionality and aesthetics, blending thoughtful design, sustainable materials, and community integration. It’s a symphony of spaces that enrich lives, balance urban and human needs, and inspire a sense of belonging.”
Richard Witt Principal, NYC + TorontoWe are architects, engineers, designers and urbanists.