Commercial Building Design & Permit Services
Design and planning support for commercial construction, including new builds, renovations, additions, redevelopments, and pre-engineered building projects.
Commercial Design for New Builds, Expansions, and Redevelopment Projects
We provide design and drafting services for a wide range of commercial projects, including new construction, renovations, additions, tenant fit-ups, and redevelopment of existing buildings. Whether you are updating a commercial property, expanding an existing structure, or planning a new site-specific building, we prepare practical drawing packages tailored to your project and permit requirements.
GET A FREE QUOTECommercial Design That Balances Form and Function, Compliance, and Buildability
Commercial projects often involve more than just layout and appearance. Whether you are renovating an existing property, expanding a building, redeveloping a site, or planning a new commercial structure, the drawings need to respond to the realities of the property, the project scope, and the approval process.
At Nauta Home Designs, we prepare practical drawing packages for commercial projects with a strong focus on clarity, code compliance, and real-world construction needs. Our goal is to help move your project toward permit and construction with a design process that is organized, responsive, and tailored to the job at hand.
Featured Project: The Gatehouse Hotel & Spa, NOTL
before
Nauta Home Designs was retained to transform the historic Gate House Hotel in Niagara on the Lake with a fitting addition and interior renovation which would allow it to better function as a restaurant and event venue
design phase
This project involved numerous heritage approvals and committee meetings. After the design was completed, we utilized 3D technology to show the Heritage Committee the design and colours which were approved.
completed project
The Gate House Hotel and Spa is now a premiere wedding venue, spa, restaurant, and hotel. It is a cornerstone in downtown Niagara on the Lake's tourism district.
Who We Work With
We work with a variety of clients involved in commercial construction and redevelopment, including:
- Commercial property owners
- Business owners
- Builders and contractors
- Developers and investors
- Clients expanding or renovating an existing commercial building
- Clients planning a new commercial building or site-specific permit package
Commercial Projects We Design
Our commercial design services can support a wide range of project types, including:
- New commercial buildings
- Commercial building additions
- Commercial renovations
- Interior tenant fit-ups and alterations
- Commercial redevelopments
- Building expansions
- Vertical additions where feasible
- Office and professional spaces
- Retail and service-based spaces
- Hospitality-related commercial projects
- Small buildings and accessory commercial structures
- Pre-engineered commercial building permit packages
Commercial Redevelopment & Expansion
Not every commercial project starts from the ground up. We also work with property owners, developers, and builders who are rethinking, upgrading, or expanding existing buildings.
This can include commercial additions, redevelopment of aging properties, reconfiguration of existing spaces, and larger-scale expansion projects such as adding area or additional storeys where feasible. These projects often require a careful look at the existing building, intended use, site conditions, and applicable code requirements early in the design process.
Whether the goal is to modernize a property, increase usable space, improve function, or reposition a site for future use, we help prepare the drawings needed to move the project forward.
Featured Project: Bridgewater Brewery, Welland
before
This downtown Welland building has had many uses. Most recently a family bakery and then a fitness space. Nauta Home Designs was hired to transform the space into a restaurant and brewery, including outdoor dining areas and a brewing area.
design phase
This project involved numerous site specific challenges including fire separations, public occupancy requirements and more. In collaboration with a local Architect, we were able to have this large scale commercial renovation approved.
completed project
Bridgewater Brewery is now a Welland favourite. Always bustling with good food, live music, and craft beer brewed right in the heart of Welland. Stay tuned for the next part of the Bridgewater Brewery project!
Pre-Engineered Commercial Building Permit Design
If you are purchasing a pre-engineered commercial building package, additional drawings and site-specific information may still be needed for permit approval. Supplier or engineered package drawings do not always cover the full requirements for your property, intended use, or municipal submission.
We help prepare permit-ready drawing packages that work alongside pre-engineered building specifications, addressing the project from a site-specific and Ontario code-compliance perspective.
This may include:
- Site plan information
- Layout coordination
- Review of intended use and project scope
- Ontario Building Code compliant drafting
- Permit drawing preparation based on supplier and engineered documents
- Documentation tailored to municipal submission requirements
What's included?
Depending on the project, our commercial design services may include:
- Initial consultation and project review
- Review of existing building conditions where required
- Existing measurements and as-built information where applicable
- Concept layouts and design development
- Addition and expansion planning
- Exterior elevations where required
- Site-specific drawing preparation
- Ontario Building Code compliant drafting
- Permit-ready drawing packages
- Revisions and design refinement
- Coordination with client-provided engineering and supplier documents where applicable
Featured Project: Restaurant pearl Morissette
exterior
Nauta Home Designs was retained by Claymore Construction to assist in creating permit drawings for the interior renovation which would create the second floor restaurant space
design phase
This project required a well functioning layout to allow for proper occupancy calculations, septic calculations, egress requirements, fire separation, and more. With the lower level wine storage, safe separations for public use upstairs were tantamount.
completed interior
Restaurant Pearl Morisette is rated as the best restaurant in Canada and has been awarded two Michelin stars.
Why Choose Nauta for Commercial Design
Clients choose Nauta because we provide a practical and responsive approach to design, with a strong focus on permit-ready documentation and real-world project needs.
- BCIN licensed design services
- Practical, buildable design approach
- Experience with renovations, additions, and new construction
- Clear communication throughout the design process
- Permit-focused drawing packages
- Coordination with builder, consultant, and supplier information where required
- Design that considers function, compliance, and constructability from the start
Serving Niagara and Surrounding Areas
We provide commercial design services for clients across Niagara and surrounding Ontario communities, including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Niagara on the Lake, Thorold, Pelham, Lincoln, Grimsby, Hamilton, Burlington, and nearby areas.
We also work on projects in other Ontario locations depending on scope.
Planning a Commercial Renovation, Addition, Redevelopment, or New Build?
Whether you are updating an existing building, expanding a property, or planning a new commercial project, we can help you move forward with practical, site-specific design and permit drawings.
