Who We Are

Transforming spaces, preserving stories

Our Story

Look, we started Blightvale back in 2012 because we were tired of seeing beautiful old buildings get demolished for yet another glass box. Don't get me wrong - we love modern design, but there's something about preserving the character of a neighborhood that just hits different.

Our founder, Margaret Chen, spent years working on heritage projects across Ontario before deciding it was time to do things her own way. She wanted a studio that could balance respect for history with the urgent need for sustainable, livable urban spaces. That's basically our whole vibe now.

We've grown from a two-person operation in a cramped King West office to a team of twelve working out of Wellington Street. But we've kept that same energy - every project matters, every building has a story, and honestly, we're just really passionate about making Toronto a better place to live.

What Drives Us

We're not gonna feed you some corporate mission statement. Here's the real deal: we believe buildings should work with their environment, not against it. Heritage structures weren't built yesterday, and they shouldn't die tomorrow just because someone wants quick profits.

Sustainability isn't a buzzword for us - it's literally in every design decision we make. Can we salvage those original beams? How do we maximize natural light? What materials make sense for the next hundred years, not just the next ten?

Our team comes from all over - heritage specialists, urban planners, folks who've worked on everything from residential renos to major commercial projects. We argue a lot (in a good way), challenge each other's ideas, and somehow always end up with something better than what we started with.

The Approach

Every site visit feels like detective work. We're looking at old photos, talking to neighbors, understanding how a building fits into its community. Then we start sketching - lots of terrible sketches, honestly, before we land on something that clicks.

We work closely with you throughout the whole process. No disappearing for months and then showing up with some design you've never seen before. Your input matters because, well, you're gonna be living or working in this space.