Melvin | 46 Unit Alteration

Hamilton

Property Type: Existing 45-Unit Apartment Building
Final Target: 46 Legal Residential Units + Building Upgrades

Project Overview:
We work with many investors who want the highest rate of return from their properties—and often, that means looking beyond the obvious. In this case, the owner of a 45-unit apartment building assumed they had maxed out the building’s potential. But after working with our architectural design team, a creative opportunity surfaced: converting an underused common area into a legal 46th unit.

In addition to the unit conversion, the building is also undergoing interior and exterior upgrades, including a new front porch addition—enhancing both curb appeal and long-term tenant satisfaction.

Scope & Strategy:

• Identified and redesigned a common area into a fully functional residential unit, increasing unit count

• Ensured the new suite complies with OBC fire separations, egress, ventilation, and livability standards

• Coordinated additional interior cosmetic improvements to existing common areas and shared corridors

• Designed a new front porch addition to improve exterior aesthetics and tenant experience

Challenges Solved:

• Found new revenue potential in what was previously considered “dead” space

• Balanced construction strategy to add a unit without disrupting existing tenants

• Improved market positioning and valuation through both density and design enhancements

Investor Benefits:

• Increased unit count from 45 to 46, immediately boosting rental income and long-term building value

• Enhanced tenant satisfaction with interior and curb appeal upgrades

• Proof that even stabilized assets can be optimized further through creative design thinking

Current Status:
Building Permit Approved. Unit and exterior improvements are completed.