Tenant Improvement & Commercial Renovation in Vancouver

Ark & Mason plans, permits and builds tenant improvements and commercial renovations in Vancouver. Office renovations, clinic fit-outs and retail units are designed and constructed by one team, from the first site visit to handover.

If you are moving into a new unit, renewing a lease or renovating the space you already occupy, this page explains what a tenant improvement involves and how we deliver it.

What a tenant improvement covers

A tenant improvement is the work that turns a base-building unit into a space your business can operate from: partitions, ceilings, lighting, power and data, plumbing, millwork, flooring and finishes. A commercial renovation does the same in a space that is already occupied, often in phases so the business can keep running.

Both need drawings the city and the landlord will approve, and a contractor who builds to them. As a commercial design-build team, we do the commercial interior design, the permit and the construction under one contract.

Tenant improvements and renovations we deliver

Office renovation and fit-out

New offices and renovations of occupied floors, including meeting rooms, open work areas, kitchens and reception. Completed offices include Major Tom (10,000 sq ft, Beatty Street), LNG Studio (4,500 sq ft, Smithe Street), Motus Engineering and John Ross Insurance. See our office interior design in Vancouver.

Clinic and wellness tenant improvements

Treatment rooms, plumbing, millwork and the layouts healthcare uses require. Projects include Physiolab Little Mountain and Polygon Health.

Retail and food-service units

Storefront units fitted out for opening, such as Oakberry Acai in Richmond (475 sq ft) and Yuen Spa on West Pender (3,800 sq ft).

Our tenant improvement process

  1. Site visit and lease review. We check the base building, the landlord’s requirements and any tenant improvement allowance.
  2. Layout and design. Space plan, finishes and 3D renderings for your approval.
  3. Budget and schedule. A construction budget and timeline are set before drawings are finalized.
  4. Drawings, engineering and permit. We coordinate consultants and submit the building permit application.
  5. Landlord approval. We work with the landlord and building manager on their review.
  6. Construction. Our project managers run the trades, the site and the inspections.
  7. Millwork, furniture and handover. Fit-out is completed, deficiencies are closed and the space is handed over ready to occupy.
Commercial Interior Design in Vancouver - Ark and Mason

Why businesses choose Ark & Mason for tenant improvements

  • One contract for design, permit and construction. No gap between the designer’s drawings and the contractor’s price.
  • Budget tested during design. Costs are checked as decisions are made, not discovered on site.
  • Landlord and city experience. We handle landlord approvals and permit reviews.
  • Range of sizes. Completed spaces from under 500 sq ft to more than 10,000 sq ft.
  • Trust. Ark & Mason holds a 5.0 rating across 36 Google reviews.

What Our Customers Say

Frequently asked questions

A tenant improvement is the construction work that fits out a leased commercial unit for a specific tenant, such as partitions, lighting, power, plumbing, millwork and finishes.

Most tenant improvements and commercial renovations need a building permit, and trades permits where electrical, plumbing or mechanical work is involved. We prepare and submit the application.

Often, yes. Work can be phased or scheduled around your operating hours. We plan this with you before construction starts.

Both. Our interior designers and construction managers work as one team, so you do not need to hire them separately.

Before you sign the lease if you can. An early look at the unit helps you negotiate the allowance and the possession date.

Tell us about your space and your move-in date. Call (604) 307-9669 or book a meeting to talk about your tenant improvement in Vancouver.

Starting a New Business or Looking to Upgrade your Current One?