Point Grey Design & Build

Thunder Bay, listen up!

The Canadian Federal Government recently announced a new $4 Billion Housing Accelerator Funding ('HAF') program. The City of Thunder Bay has been awarded up to $20.7 Million through this program to fast-track the development of over 600 new housing units locally!

Each new Additional Housing Unit ('ADU') qualifies for a grant of up to $20,000 through COTB's Community Improvement Plan ('CIP'), and up to an additional $10,000 for municipal utility connection upgrades. Eligible costs include design, engineering, and construction.

Point Grey Design can help you take advantage of this funding opportunity, through their full suite of professional design, engineering, and management services.

Whether you're looking to legalize an existing living unit, develop a new living unit within your home, or build a new backyard home, Point Grey can help you make it happen.

Reach out today to [email protected] to learn more about how we can help!

Point Grey is stoked to have designed the first permitted backyard home in Thunder Bay, under the new municipal zoning by-law.



This super cute ~17' x 30' home features roughly 499sf of living space, an open concept kitchen/living room with cathedral ceiling, a medium-sized bedroom with WIC, a 3-piece bath, and separated entryway.

Cathedral Roof Trusses

Milk painted pine wood ceiling going in our lakehouse 😍

Build update on this custom home. Foundation complete, wall and floor framing in progress.

In-floor heat system design+install by .

Reinforced slab-on-grade foundation prep nearing completion. Next, hydronic in-floor heat system to be installed prior to the big pour.

We mentioned big things going on.

Well, Point Grey is building the largest wood-framed structure in Thunder Bay!

This 6-storey apartment building has a footprint of over 7300sf and will supply our local housing market with 29 new dwelling units.

We're stoked to be a part of this development for multiple reasons. Not only does this project help to address a local housing shortage, but this build exercises newer provisions, which allow for taller wood-framed construction.

Fun fact: after decades of lobbying, on January 1, 2015, the was amended to allow wood-framed buildings to be constructed up to 6 storeys tall.

Shallow prep under way. We're stoked to see this custom home build progress.

How we do joist ends.

Spray foaming rim joists is easy to do and provides both R-Value a vapour-seal in this otherwise tricky cavity. 2-lb spray foam provides up to R-7 per inch.

Before you ask, the window headers are in the joist plane. This allows the window top sill to run nice and close to the ceiling to achieve a certain aesthetic and maximize daylight.

Getting ready to turn this plot of land into a dream home.

A lot of big things happening at Point Grey.

Fortunately, our team is far more competent at design + build than at posting online content.

Here we have a beautiful 28' x 30' garage with gable roof and hip return detail.

A couple of high-end kitchens constructed by yours truly.

A couple of high-end kitchens constructed by yours truly.

to this project ✌️

Point Grey designed and built this beautiful commercial washroom for by converting 2 smaller washrooms into a design.

Point Grey is dedicated to providing clients with quality turn-key solutions and is proud to play a small part in making our community more .

Thanks to our partners .plumbing.mechanical, , and .

On January 1st, the Canadian Government introduced the multi- generational home renovation tax credit for up to $7,500 or 15% of a renovation cost up to $50,000.

Although this will not solve the current housing affordability crisis across Canada, it is a small step in the right direction.

This credit is eligible for Canadian home owners who:

1. Are adding a self-contained dwelling unit to their existing home,

and;

2. Are intending for a related family member over 65, or adult with a disability, to be the primary occupant.

Point Grey specializes in designing and building legal secondary dwelling units within existing homes.

It's great to see this 4-plex conversion moving forward - approved under provisions of the new 2022 municipal zoning by-law

Starting the transformation by blowing out a few partition walls to create an open layout and reworking other walls to add a second bedroom. Next is windows, insulation, doors, kitchen, etc.

Designed and constructed by Point Grey.

Permit day is always a good day!

We're helping make our community more with this barrier-free washroom conversion for one of our commercial clients. More to follow!

Designed and built by Point Grey Design and .

Just had 2 new 100 amp sub-panels provisioned for this 4-plex conversion. Splitting utilities between apartments isn't required by code but should always be considered by investors and owners.

More info:
Pic 1 - new 100 amp panels back-fed from OG 200 amp panel. Pic 2 - new dual bases energized and panels cut to new service. All work coordinated with utility power company.

Planning to renovate or build in Spring 2023?

Now is the time to start the design and permitting process!

Point Grey specializes in design and drafting of new homes, additions, and renovations for all building types.

Don't forget to ask about our full scope design+build solution.

Another basement suite made legal ie. compliant with

A number of critical systems were upgraded including plumbing, fire separation, early warning, egress, mechanical, and electrical.

Wrapping up a 4-plex conversion design for a client.

With Thunder Bay's progressive new Zoning By-Law now in effect, legal suite conversion is much more accessible for home owners and investors.

TLDR: duct smoke detectors save lives, here's what they look like.

In certain retrofit situations OBC allows a single furnace to service multiple dwelling units provided an in-duct smoke detector is installed (in addition to a handful of other requirements). These detectors relay to the furnace shut-off switch so that when smoke is detected in the ductwork the furnace ceases operation so that occupants have more time to exit safely.

It looks simple but there's a lot going on behind the slab!
▪︎ Weeping Tile
▪︎ Crushed Rock
▪︎ Plumbing
▪︎ Gas Control
▪︎ Polystyrene Insulation
▪︎ Reinforced Spread Footings
▪︎ Vapour Barrier
▪︎ Welded Wire Fabric
▪︎ Finished Concrete

This is great news for Thunder Bay. Not only does the new zoning by-law attempt to address housing shortage and urban sprawl, it will help owners bring existing non-compliant units to Code instead of decommissioning them.

The Ontario Land Tribunal ordered that the City of Thunder Bay can implement its new Zoning By-law, originally passed by Council on April 11. This means increased density, allowing backyard homes, and new opportunities for properties in Business Zones. More details can be found here: https://bit.ly/3SryURp

Building code requires that basement windows meet life safe (egress) as well as daylight requirements. These installations can be complex but are necessary to create a functional and legal space.