real estate expertise
De-risk, Design, and Develop your real estate strategy.
philosophy:
By guiding you through a set of comprehensive questions, Surface Area explores your real estate story. You have an idea; let’s talk.
Whether you need help realizing your large-scale development vision or simply navigating the complicated zoning codes, you have a supportive partner to solve problems and accomplish your goal.
To have a great first meeting, be prepared to talk about you and your project. Our conversation’s purpose is to define your goal, understand your vision, and explore concepts.
The next conversation is designed to introduce constraints. By marrying your ideal with the reality of budgets, construction methods, and municipal regulations, you’ll learn about the project’s real potential. If your vision matches the potential, it’s time to move forward and create a sound implementation strategy.
approach:
Create a clear vision and document non-negotiables
Deliver financial results
Involve the community to minimize NIMBY and BANANA opposition
Balance stakeholder interests for the short, medium, and long-term simultaneously
Design for the best experience of the end user and customer
Get it right. Real Estate is durable, while not permanent, it’s still important to build for today and create flexibility beyond
Be a good neighbor. Make a positive impact on the area by delivering investments in housing, employment, education, services, and infrastructure to support a strong foundation for the future
Understand market conditions and apply basic economic theory
create
A clear vision is key to success. Without a vision, the path forward is uncertain. Surface Area explores your needs and uncovers your constraints.
communicate
Pictures are worth a thousand words. Investing in graphics and renderings will pay dividends. Paired with a comprehensive marketing campaign for digital, print, and PR, your project can get ahead of negative rumors, opposition, and misinformation.
TRANSLATE
The language of real estate is vast and can be intimidating. Surface Area prides itself in translating concepts and specifications between groups to ensure everyone understands the message clearly.
navigate
Real estate development is fascinating. There’s always a surprise along the way. By anticipating challenges, your custom project plan effectively navigates the process and create contingencies.
let’s start a conversation
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Affordable housing
The housing shortage is real and rising housing prices impact our entire economy. Let’s discuss; Affordable, affordable, and attainable.
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Parking
Always a hot topic and fun to discuss. Maximums or Minimums; Free or Paid; Surface or Structured.
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ROI AND IRR
Financial Metrics are paramount. What’s your expectation and what assumptions are you making?
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Public Realm & Placemaking
Areas open to the general public often filled with sidewalks, open space, and landscaping that creates a sense of place. Who pays for it and who benefits?
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BANANA
Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything. A peer to the NIMBY group: “Not in my backyard” and often a source of project opposition.
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Accessory Dwelling Units
Granny flats, carriage house apartments, extra living spaces. The ADU conversation draws debate.
additional offerings:
housing advocacy
lihtc (4%-TEB & 9% Credit) financing and advising
engagement with local leaders and influencers
renderings, maps, and presentations
reputation management and response
social media monitoring and awareness