About Us - Halrion Quest Architecture

How We Got Here

Look, we didn't start out wanting to revolutionize anything. Back in 2008, our founder Marcus Halrion was working for one of those big corporate firms that treated every project like a cookie-cutter operation. Heritage building that's been standing since 1892? Just slap some glass on it. Community space that people actually use? Turn it into luxury condos.

That didn't sit right with him. So he left, borrowed money from his parents (yeah, really), and started what became Halrion Quest. The name? His grandmother's maiden name was Quest, and she always told him, "Architecture should be a journey, not a destination."

Fast forward seventeen years, and we're still here in Toronto, doing work that actually matters. We've grown from Marcus working out of his apartment to a team of 23 talented folks who genuinely care about what they're designing.

Marcus Halrion, Founding Principal

What We're Actually About

Here's the thing - we don't believe new buildings need to erase history. Toronto's got this incredible architectural heritage, and watching it get demolished for glass boxes? That hurts. But we're also not about preserving everything in amber and calling it a day.

Our approach is pretty straightforward: listen more than you talk, respect what came before, and design for actual people who'll be using these spaces. Not for awards, not for magazine covers (though those are nice), but for real life.

Our Core Belief

"Every building tells a story. Our job isn't to write over it - it's to add the next chapter in a way that honors what came before while serving what comes next."

The Journey So Far

2008 - The Beginning

Started in a 600 sq ft apartment with more ambition than equipment. First project was restoring Mrs. Chen's century-old home on Brunswick Avenue. She paid us in homemade dumplings and became our biggest advocate.

2012 - Finding Our Voice

Hired our first three team members. Won a preservation award for the Distillery District loft conversion that everyone said was impossible. Started getting calls from people who actually got what we were trying to do.

2016 - Expanding Horizons

Opened our Bay Street office. Started focusing heavily on sustainable practices - not because it was trendy, but because climate change isn't waiting around. Brought on Sarah Chen as our sustainability director.

2020 - Pivoting & Growing

Pandemic hit, but we adapted. Realized remote work meant people cared even more about their spaces. Completed 14 projects that year, all focused on making buildings healthier and more livable.

2025 - Where We Are Now

Team of 23 passionate professionals. Over 150 completed projects across Ontario. Still headquartered in Toronto, still obsessed with doing right by our city's architectural heritage, and still learning with every project we take on.

Meet Some of the Team

We're lucky to work with some incredibly talented people who bring different perspectives and skills to every project. From our junior designers fresh out of school to our senior architects with decades of experience, everyone here has a voice that matters.

What binds us? We all genuinely love this city and want to see it grow in ways that respect its past while embracing its future.

Sarah Chen

Sustainability Director

James Rodriguez

Senior Heritage Specialist

Aisha Patel

Urban Planning Lead

David Kim

Design Principal

How We Work

No two projects are the same, but our process pretty much follows the same path: lots of listening, thoughtful research, collaborative design, and careful execution. We're not gonna pretend we have all the answers from day one - good architecture comes from understanding context, constraints, and the people who'll actually live with our decisions.

1

Listen

We start by shutting up and hearing what you actually need, not what we think you need.

2

Research

Dive deep into the site history, neighborhood context, and building codes that'll shape the project.

3

Design

Create solutions that balance aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and budget. It's a juggling act.

4

Execute

Stay involved through construction because that's when the real challenges show up.

Why Toronto?

Simple - this city's got soul. Yeah, it's getting more expensive and crowded, but there's something special about Toronto's mix of old and new, diverse neighborhoods, and people from everywhere bringing their own perspectives on what makes a great building.

We've been based here since the beginning, and honestly can't imagine being anywhere else. From the Victorian homes in Cabbagetown to the modernist towers downtown, from the brick warehouses being reimagined to new sustainable builds pushing boundaries - this city keeps us inspired and challenged.

Plus, the coffee's pretty good.

Ready to Start a Conversation?

We're always up for discussing new projects, challenges, or just talking architecture over coffee.

Let's Talk

Our Story