Relocating from a 40,000-SF office in Hollywood, FirstService Residential engaged MKDA to create a modern headquarters that would unify their growing team, support hybrid operations, and embody the organization’s hospitality-focused brand ethos. Before design began, MKDA facilitated strategic workplace sessions with key stakeholders to define goals around flexibility, wellness, and culture. Those insights directly informed programming, adjacencies, and amenity planning.

“We knew this was more than a relocation—it was a transformation,” said Tonya Watts, Studio Project Director, Interiors at MKDA. “This space needed to reflect FirstService’s mission of service, hospitality, and community, while delivering on functionality and flexibility. We designed a workplace that feels elevated, approachable, and deeply rooted in wellness.”

The resulting design is a future-forward environment that blends performance and comfort. Employees are supported by a variety of work settings, including 43 private offices, 314 open workstations, 13 conference rooms, quiet zones, and collaborative lounges. Modular planning and adaptable furniture strategies enable the space to flex with evolving team structures, while tech-enabled meeting areas and video conferencing zones facilitate seamless hybrid collaboration.

Layered throughout the office are hospitality-inspired touchpoints—pantries, a central café, and soft seating zones—that foster spontaneous interaction and reinforce internal culture. MKDA extended the FirstService brand through warm wood finishes, soft textures, and curated materials that mirror the residential experience at the heart of the company’s identity.

“MKDA translated our values into an environment that feels both high-performing and deeply human,” said Robert G. Smith, President, South Region, FirstService Residential. “From the very beginning, they understood that this wasn’t just about space—it was about culture, connection, and creating a place where people genuinely want to be. This headquarters represents a long-term investment in our people, our brand, and our mission, and MKDA was an exceptional partner in bringing that vision to life.”

To align with FirstService Residential’s emphasis on health and well-being, the headquarters was designed to meet WELL Certified™ Gold standards. MKDA incorporated biophilic elements, acoustic control, enhanced air and water filtration, circadian lighting, and ergonomic furnishings to support both physical and cognitive health. Open sightlines and lakefront views create a connection to nature that promotes calm and focus throughout the day.

“Achieving WELL Gold reinforces our belief that prioritizing well-being leads to better outcomes—for our teams and for the communities we serve,” added Smith.

The new headquarters is located within a 120,923-SF, four-story Class A building positioned along I-595 and offering high-visibility signage, renovated common areas, and expansive lakefront views. With this new headquarters, FirstService Residential sets a new benchmark for regional workplaces—healthy, high-performing, and brand-aligned for the future of work.