Condo Lobby Refurbishments in Scarborough
Lobby refurbishments for Scarborough condominiums, from established towers in Agincourt and along Kingston Road to newer buildings near Scarborough Town Centre. We design, price and build the work while the entrance stays open.
Request a Consultation
Tell us about your Scarborough building and we will follow up to arrange a lobby review.
Bringing Scarborough Lobbies Up to Date
Many of Scarborough's condominium towers were built between the 1970s and 1990s along Kennedy Road, Sheppard Avenue, Warden Avenue and Kingston Road. Their lobbies often still have original terrazzo or stone, dark panelling, low lighting and a security desk squeezed into a corner. Newer buildings around Scarborough Town Centre and Agincourt have more modern lobbies that are starting to wear under heavy use.
Folio Interiors refurbishes Scarborough lobbies as one design-build package. We work with boards to choose finishes and furniture that hold up in busy buildings, set a budget with clear options and stage the work so residents always have a safe way in and out.
This page covers Scarborough lobbies. Our main condo lobby refurbishment service page explains our work across the GTA, and our corridor refurbishment in Scarborough page covers the hallways.
Scopes for Scarborough Lobby Projects
Most Scarborough lobby projects draw on a few of the scopes below. We size the work to what your entrance actually needs, so the budget goes where residents and visitors will notice it.
- Entrance and vestibule
- Feature walls
- Lighting and ceilings
- Concierge desk
- Lounge furniture
- Mail and parcel rooms
Floors that handle every season
The entrance floor takes more abuse than any other surface in the building. We balance appearance with slip resistance, durability and how easily a damaged tile or plank can be replaced.
Wall finishes and layered lighting
A lobby needs one strong focal point and calm surroundings. We pair a feature wall with refreshed ceilings and lighting that is bright at the desk and warm in the lounge. Read more in our article on common area lighting retrofits.
Concierge, furniture and parcels
We design concierge desks around how staff actually work, select seating that meets flammability requirements for public spaces, and plan parcel storage so the lobby stays clear. Our article on concierge desk design explains the details.
Where something is still in good condition, we say so. Keeping sound millwork, stone or fixtures and spending where wear is worst is often the smartest way to get a lobby that feels completely new.
Furniture and custom millwork usually have the longest lead times in a lobby project, so we finalize selections early and order as soon as the board approves. That keeps the lobby from sitting empty while pieces are on their way.
Lobby Finishes Suited to Scarborough Buildings
The table below summarises the decisions most Scarborough boards make. Each choice is reviewed for safety, maintenance and long-term cost before anything is ordered.
| Area | Common options | What to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | Porcelain tile, stone-look tile, luxury vinyl, walk-off matting | Slip resistance, winter salt, cleaning equipment, replacing damaged tiles |
| Walls | Stone-look porcelain, wood slats, textured wallcovering, paint | Impact from deliveries, feature wall location, acoustics, repairs |
| Lighting | Chandeliers or pendants, cove lighting, sconces, downlights | Light level at the desk, colour temperature, dimming, reaching fixtures for maintenance |
| Concierge desk | Custom millwork with quartz or stone top | Sightlines to doors and elevators, security screens, an accessible counter height |
| Furniture | Contract-grade lounge seating, tables, rugs | Flammability requirements, durability, cleanability, layout for traffic flow |
When a lobby needs attention
- Salt damage at the entrance every spring
- Chipped millwork and worn counter edges at the desk
- Fixtures that are hard to clean or reach for maintenance
- Mismatched repairs to the floor or walls
- Residents waiting outside because the lobby is uncomfortable
- A reserve fund study that already lists lobby finishes as due
If several of these apply, a site review is a sensible next step. We can separate urgent items from those that can wait and group them into a scope the board can approve.
We also review how easily people with mobility devices, strollers or luggage move through the space. Automatic doors, flush transitions between flooring types and a clear path to the elevators often cost little when included in the main project.
Staged Work in Busy Scarborough Lobbies
A lobby project happens in the busiest room in the building, and we plan for that from day one. Work moves zone by zone, with a clear path to the doors, mailroom and elevators at all times.
- The entrance route is fenced off from work areas and kept clear and well lit every day.
- The concierge desk is relocated to a temporary station when its area is being rebuilt.
- Noisy and dusty work such as floor removal is scheduled for agreed hours, sometimes overnight or on weekends.
- Deliveries, move-ins and courier drop-offs are coordinated with management so they are not blocked.
- A single site supervisor is the contact for the board and property manager.
A short pre-construction meeting sets out access, notices and the temporary concierge station. Residents receive the same plan, so they know what will change at the entrance and when.
Residents also get a simple way to raise concerns. Questions go to the site supervisor, who responds quickly and keeps management informed, so small issues are solved the same day.
Our Process for Scarborough Lobbies
Each stage ends with something your board can review and approve, so decisions are made in order and nothing is rushed.
Site review
We inspect the ground floor and document existing conditions and problem areas.
Design
Finish selections, furniture, lighting layouts and renderings for board review.
Budget
A clear scope with options and a schedule tied to your funding.
Phased build
Zoned construction with protection, dust control and a single supervisor.
Handover
Walkthrough, sign-off and spare tiles, fabric and paint stored for the building.
No two lobbies price the same, because size, furniture and existing conditions vary. Our articles on common element refurbishment costs, reserve fund planning and the refurbishment timeline explain what drives the numbers.
We price lobby work in clear line items, so the board can see what flooring, walls, lighting, furniture and the desk each cost, and decide what to do now and what to plan for later.
Ready to Transform Your Scarborough Lobby?
Send us the building address and a few photos of the entrance and lobby. We will walk the space with you, explain the options and give your board a clear plan and budget.
Call +1 (905) 581-1703 or email refurb@foliointeriors.com
Helping Scarborough Boards Prepare
Gathering the following before the first meeting speeds up pricing and avoids a second visit.
- Whether the board wants to keep any existing furniture, stone or millwork.
- Known issues such as slippery tile, salt damage, cracked stone or failing fixtures.
- Your reserve fund study and the budget the board has in mind.
- Any planned security, intercom or access control upgrades.
- A handful of phone photos of the lobby, desk and mailroom.
- The board's priorities: first impression, durability, parcel handling or energy savings.
With this, we can usually return a scope and a budget range quickly, then refine it after a walkthrough. Our cost guide for common elements shows how boards sequence lobby, corridor and amenity work.
What Changes for Residents
Most residents never read the specification, but they notice the result: an entrance that is bright, organised and welcoming from the doors to the elevators.
Boards notice that the space is easier to maintain. Hard-wearing finishes resist salt and scuffs, repairs blend in, and the lobby holds its appearance for years. That consistency supports property values across Scarborough.
Lobbies work best when they connect to the rest of the building. See our guides to elevator cab and lobby refurbishment and accessibility in condo common areas for ideas on extending the upgrade.
Older Towers and Newer Buildings in Scarborough
Large older towers in Scarborough usually have generous lobbies that feel dark and dated rather than small. Brighter LED lighting, lighter wall finishes and new furniture arranged in smaller, comfortable groupings make a dramatic difference. Original terrazzo or stone can often be restored and kept, which saves money and preserves some of the building's character.
Newer buildings near Scarborough Town Centre and in Agincourt usually need targeted work: stronger flooring at the entrance, wall protection near the doors and elevators, and furniture that stands up to daily use. In every case we price the work in options and suggest a staged plan if the reserve fund needs it. Our condo lobby refurbishment guide explains how we set priorities.
Scarborough towers often house a mix of long-term owners, families and tenants, with heavy daily traffic through the lobby. We keep the work predictable: clear notices, a defined route through each work zone, a temporary concierge station when needed and a supervisor on site every day, so residents always know what to expect.
Security is a frequent concern in large buildings. A redesigned concierge desk with clear sightlines to the doors and elevators, better lighting at the entrance and a controlled parcel room all help staff keep an eye on who comes and goes.
Many Scarborough boards pair lobby work with corridor refurbishments, amenity refurbishments or furniture, fixtures and equipment. One design-build team keeps the look consistent.
Featured Lobby Refurbishment Projects
Scarborough Neighbourhoods We Serve
We work with condominium corporations throughout Scarborough, from the Bluffs to Steeles.
- Scarborough City Centre
- Agincourt
- Kennedy and Sheppard
- Malvern
- L'Amoreaux
- Woburn
- Bendale
- Dorset Park
- Guildwood
- Scarborough Bluffs
- Birch Cliff
- Cliffside
Not sure whether your building is in our area? Ask us. We travel between projects across the region, and a first walkthrough can often be paired with a nearby visit.
Scarborough Lobby Refurbishment FAQs
Can you refurbish the lobby of a large older Scarborough tower?
Yes. We stage the work in zones, keep the entrance and elevators accessible and coordinate closely with building staff throughout.
Can our original terrazzo or stone floor be kept?
Often, yes. Sound terrazzo and stone can be repaired, honed and polished, then combined with new finishes for a much lower cost than replacement.
How can our lobby feel more secure?
A desk with clear sightlines, better entrance lighting, controlled parcel storage and well-placed cameras all help staff monitor the lobby.
How can our Scarborough building keep costs down?
Focus on lighting, furniture and a feature wall, restore sound flooring where possible and stage the work over more than one budget year.
Will new lighting lower energy costs?
Replacing older fixtures with LED lighting typically reduces energy use and maintenance. We provide fixture details so management can estimate savings.
Can you update our elevator cabs at the same time?
Yes. Updating cab interiors and landings alongside the lobby carries the new design through the building.
Which parts of Scarborough do you serve?
All of Scarborough, including City Centre, Agincourt, Malvern, Guildwood and the Bluffs. Call +1 (905) 581-1703.
What does a lobby refurbishment cost for a Scarborough condo?
Pricing depends on the size of the lobby, the finishes and furniture chosen, the concierge desk and the condition of existing floors, walls and ceilings. We price from a site review and give options so the scope fits your reserve fund.
How long does a condo lobby renovation take?
Many lobby projects take a few weeks to a few months on site, plus design and ordering time beforehand. Custom furniture and desk millwork usually set the schedule, so we order them early. The board receives a written schedule before work starts.
Is owner approval required for a lobby refurbishment in Ontario?
It depends on the scope and on your declaration and by-laws. Like-for-like replacement of common elements is often treated differently from a substantial change, so boards should confirm with their condominium lawyer. We supply drawings, samples and pricing for any notice or owners' meeting.
Does lobby furniture have to meet fire safety requirements?
Furniture and finishes in common areas must suit a public, exit-route space. We select contract-grade products with appropriate flammability testing and confirm requirements with your consultant. Our guide to fire-rated furniture in Ontario explains more.