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

  • Affordable housing

    The housing shortage is real and rising housing prices impact our entire economy. Let’s discuss; Affordable, affordable, and attainable.

  • Parking

    Always a hot topic and fun to discuss. Maximums or Minimums; Free or Paid; Surface or Structured.

  • ROI AND IRR

    Financial Metrics are paramount. What’s your expectation and what assumptions are you making?

  • 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?

  • BANANA

    Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything. A peer to the NIMBY group: “Not in my backyard” and often a source of project opposition.

  • 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