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In a significant development for the urban landscape architecture sector, Ferris + Associates Inc., a company renowned for its contributions to Toronto's streetscapes and skyline, has announced its merger with NAK Design Strategies, a prominent North American landscape and urban design firm. With Ferris + Associates Inc. joining the NAK DS family, this strategic merger aims to invigorate the Greater Toronto Area's real estate sector, signalling a commitment to expansive growth and enhanced service delivery in high-density developments.
Founded in 1987, NAK Design Strategies has made a name for itself by crafting public spaces and master plans that elevate the aesthetic and functional aspects of urban areas while contributing to community well-being. Their notable projects include Lakeview Village, Palermo Village, and Caledon Station, each acting as separate showcases of their sustainability and innovative urban solutions.
Ferris + Associates Inc. brings over three decades of excellence in shaping Toronto's notable landscapes, including the National Trade Centre and the Rogers Centre. Their expertise in large-scale private developments and high-rise projects like the public park at M2M Condos and Main Square at 2575 Danforth Avenue has positioned them as leaders in landscape architecture.
Silvano Tardella, founding Principal of NAK Design Strategies, established the firm with a clear vision to disrupt the industry by prioritizing the needs and well-being of clients and staff over self-promotion or a distinct stylistic identity. This client-centric approach has propelled NAK to become the largest landscape architecture firm in Canada.
NAK's vision of treating their team as family and their focus on people-first values resonated deeply with Ferris + Associates, making the merger a natural and promising progression. This partnership particularly aligns with the shifting market trends toward higher-density developments, an area where Ferris has excelled and which represents a significant growth trajectory in urban design.
Paul Ferris, Principal of Ferris + Associates, views the merger with NAK as a pivotal opportunity for his team to expand their service offerings, enhance their capabilities, and extend their regional impact. The shared leadership philosophies and mutual respect between the two firms have set a solid foundation for a merger, building enthusiasm for a combined future. Ferris is particularly excited about the possibilities this partnership holds for advancing its influence and expertise in the landscape architecture sector.
The synergistic potential of this merger is vast, with both NAK Design Strategies and Ferris + Associates coming together with a rich portfolio of projects.
For NAK Design Strategies, Lakeview Village is poised to revitalize Mississauga’s waterfront by blending residential, commercial, and cultural spaces into a sustainable community. This project aims to reconnect the city with Lake Ontario through innovative design and diverse programming. Another village-inspired project, Palermo Village in Oakville is envisioned as a transit-oriented development that integrates a variety of housing types with retail, office space, and public amenities.
There is also the Caledon Station Transit-Oriented Community, a master-planned development in Bolton area of the Town of Caledon, integrating residential and commercial spaces with a proposed GO train service. Additionally, at 128 Grovewood Common in the picturesque Preserve neighbourhood of Oakville, Bower Condominiums exemplifies NAK Design Strategies' commitment to diversifying that town's residential offerings.
Ferris + Associates are also making notable contributions with projects like M2M Condos, under construction in North York, set to feature a new 6,000m² public park on the former Newtonbrook Plaza site. In Toronto's East End, a transformative redevelopment of Main Square at 2575 Danforth Avenue will densify the area with five buildings up to 55 storeys. Ferris is contributing to the site's layout, designing roads, walkways, and a central plaza area. Meanwhile, 7700 Keele is an ambitious mixed-use development poised to transform a key intersection in Vaughan, including an ensemble of eight buildings ranging from 6 to 60 storeys, with 3,000 units planned.
With shared values and mutual respect for one another’s leadership and design philosophies, NAK Design Strategies and Ferris + Associates Inc. are poised to make a significant impact on the urban landscape of the GTA and beyond. The two offices will continue to operate under their existing names.
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