03.1 / SectorsAll sectors ↑

Residential & Mixed-Use

Housing at every scale.

Low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise development is central to Jahan Mehr Architects’ practice. We design residential and mixed-use projects across Toronto and the GTA, including purpose-built rental and multiplexes. Planning strategy, architectural design and technical delivery come together from the earliest feasibility questions through approvals and construction.

01

From site potential to a complete building

Residential development begins with a clear understanding of the site. We test zoning, massing, access, programme, unit mix and development potential before major decisions are fixed. As the project advances, we coordinate architectural design with planning, engineering, landscape and other disciplines to create a practical route through municipal approvals and construction.

For mixed-use projects, we also resolve the relationship between residential, commercial and community uses—balancing separate access, servicing, loading, public realm and the experience of the building at street level.

02

Low-rise: density at a neighbourhood scale

Low-rise residential projects begin with the relationship between the building, its neighbours and the street. We study unit arrangements, entrances, daylight, privacy and outdoor space alongside access, servicing and the existing site conditions.

For multiplexes and other multi-unit housing, early feasibility work helps establish a coherent programme before the project moves into detailed design and approvals.

03

Mid-rise: housing and the life of the street

Mid-rise development brings housing, shared amenities and, where appropriate, commercial uses into a compact urban building. We consider the street edge, transitions to adjacent properties, building depth and unit planning together.

The design develops alongside consultant coordination and the approvals strategy, connecting the quality of individual homes with the building’s contribution to its neighbourhood.

04

High-rise: a coordinated approach to complexity

High-rise and larger mixed-use projects require coordinated decisions about massing, podiums, cores, circulation, unit mix, amenities and building systems. We connect these decisions to the development brief, site context and public realm from the outset.

Residential, commercial and service functions each need a clear place in the building. Architectural coordination carries that overall strategy through municipal review, technical documentation and construction-stage services.

For developers and landowners

  • Site acquisition and early feasibility studies
  • Development scenarios and massing options
  • Residential unit mix and commercial programme
  • Consultant scope and coordination strategy
  • Approvals, technical documentation and delivery

Bring to an initial site review

  • Property address and current survey
  • Available planning history and prior studies
  • Ownership, acquisition or financing milestones
  • Target tenure, programme and development objectives
  • Existing drawings and known site constraints

Project types

  • Low-rise residential
  • Mid-rise residential
  • High-rise residential
  • Mixed-use development
  • Purpose-built rental
  • Multiplexes and garden suites

What JMA brings to the process

  • Site feasibility, zoning analysis and due diligence
  • Massing, unit planning and development studies
  • Rezoning and municipal approvals
  • Site plan approval
  • Design development and consultant coordination
  • Building-permit and construction documents
  • Tender and construction administration

For developers and landowners

Before the development brief is fixed.

The questions an architectural feasibility review should answer before a mixed-use or multi-residential project advances.

Read the development feasibility guide

Selected work

Experience in practice.

Start with the site

Considering a residential or mixed-use project?

Discuss the site with JMA