Transforming Office Spaces into Multifunctional Spaces: Rethinking Commercial Real Estate in Québec
What should we do with office spaces when companies no longer use them the way they used to? In this episode of Décloisonner, our podcast exploring changing business models, we discuss how these buildings can be transformed into multifunctional spaces that combine different functions—workspace, living areas, community activities, and even co-working zones.
Our guest, Savannah Caya-Trottier, a project manager at Société de développement Angus, shares insights on turning vacant offices into multi-purpose spaces and the operational complexity that comes with such projects.
Why Convert Offices into Multi-Purpose Spaces?
Over the past few years, lifestyle and professional habits have shifted dramatically. Many companies have reduced their office space and embraced remote work or hybrid schedules. This trend has left many buildings partly or completely vacant.
Creating multi-purpose rooms and adaptable spaces is a unique opportunity to:
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Develop living spaces in prime urban locations
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Combine storage solutions, home office zones, guest rooms, and dining areas within small spaces
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Offer versatile shared services to meet different functions
How to Design a Multifunctional Space That Works?
Transforming an office space into a multi-purpose room or a compact apartment requires careful planning of the floor plan, materials, and interior design choices. Here are a few essentials:
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Use natural light and neutral finishes to create a sense of openness in any living area
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Include a dedicated home office or workspace that’s comfortable and functional
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Plan for a guest bedroom or playroom that can double as storage thanks to Murphy beds and multifunctional furniture
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Incorporate adaptable dining tables, partitions, and modular pieces of furniture to define zones without closing the open space
These design ideas help maximize square footage while maintaining comfort and well-being.
The Keys to a Successful Renovation or Remodel
According to Savannah Caya-Trottier, several factors make these transformations sustainable:
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A flexible room design that can evolve with new uses over time
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Strong partnerships to deliver high-quality renovations
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A focus on well-being and the lifestyle of residents, whether families, freelancers, or people looking for a versatile living space
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Smart connections between indoor and outdoor areas to encourage play areas, social gatherings, and relaxation
These projects require a clear vision and solid planning but can significantly increase the value of commercial properties.
Design Ideas to Inspire Your Multi-Purpose Room
If you’re considering creating a multifunctional space, here are a few ideas to get started:
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Choose multifunctional furniture, like a dining table that can also serve as a desk or a countertop for meal prep
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Integrate hidden storage solutions to keep your living room tidy
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Use neutral colors and clever partitions to organize small spaces
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Install Murphy beds to convert a guest room or playroom into a home office or a co-working zone
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Keep the nook by the window for reading or as an extra workspace
Conclusion
Converting old offices into multifunctional spaces reflects the transformation of commercial real estate across Québec—and beyond. These projects help meet the growing need for adaptable, versatile, and human-centered spaces.
Want to learn more? Listen to the full episode of Décloisonner and subscribe to our newsletter to discover more design ideas, renovation tips, and inspiring examples of successful conversions.
Frequently asked questions
In the traditional model, you sign separate contracts with the architect, engineers and contractor, each defending their own interests. With integrated project delivery, a single team designs and builds your space under one contract, with a shared target budget and open-book transparency. You make the decisions; we coordinate execution from start to handover.
Coordinating the architect, engineers and trades yourself means juggling multiple contracts, multiple invoices and shared blame when something goes wrong. With one contract, you have a single point of contact accountable for budget, schedule and outcome. The expertise is already aligned and used to working together, which removes the coordination errors that drive most delays.
We set a target budget at the drawing stage using real data from comparable projects, then design within that budget instead of discovering the price at the end. The agreed price does not change unless you request modifications or different materials. Any hidden condition we uncover along the way is on us.
No. The total cost is usually lower and, above all, more predictable. Bringing design and construction under one contract removes stacked margins, the change orders that come from conflicting drawings, and rework. Open-book transparency shows you where every dollar goes. You pay the real cost of the work, not a chain of middlemen.
Timelines depend on size and complexity, but the integrated approach shortens them because design and construction advance in parallel rather than in sequence. As an example, we delivered the 14 Red Bull Music Academy studios in 18 days. By the second meeting you already have a preliminary budget and drawings to plan around.
Far less than with several vendors to coordinate. You have one point of contact who manages the architect, engineers and trades for you. You keep the important decisions; we handle the daily coordination, follow-ups and on-site surprises. In practice, your role comes down to approving key milestones on an agreed communication routine.
We fit out commercial spaces of every kind: offices, medical clinics, restaurants, retail and industrial spaces, across Greater Montreal and up to roughly 90 minutes from the surrounding region. Our projects run from about 2,000 to 60,000 square feet. Our work includes studios, clinics, factories and pre-built suites for landlords and brokers.
The budget agreed at the drawing stage is guaranteed: any overrun that does not come from a change you requested is on us, not you. Hidden conditions uncovered on site are our responsibility too. For schedule, phased planning and one integrated team cut delays at the source. We deliver turnkey, so your teams can move in the next day.
