with 56 apartments and four commercial units, right in the heart of Stratford’s downtown. They completed that project in the winter of 2020. In 2021, the City of Stratford awarded Paul Veldman with the’ James Anderson Award’ for contributing to the preservation of the city’s built heritage. “That project was a huge success,” says Hanna, who served as the project coordinator on that job, as she previously worked for the general contractor who built it. She moved to BMI a few years later – she says she was convinced “by all the exciting projects that were happening,” and more importantly, by the impact those projects would make. “I have a background in architecture and planning and urban design,” she explains. “For me, I’m really focused on building communities – not just making beautiful buildings, but contributing to the communities they are in. That’s very much in line with BMI’s strategy of ‘Betterment, Mobilization, and Impact.’” As an ongoing example of that strategy, Hanna cites one of those exciting projects that convinced her to come aboard – The Builders Block, also in Stratford. Again, that project involves conserving and converting the shuttered historic seven-acre Krug factory property into a multi-residential neighbourhood with 361 units, complete with a set of complementary town homes and residential apartments, including a 10-storey feature tower. That new community will cater to young professionals, tradespeople, families, and downsizing retirees from Perth County and beyond. DECEMBER 2024
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