Development consulting

Broader Perspective

What differentiates us from a typical architecture firm is that we don’t focus on fee-for-service design work since our wide perspective across the roles of stakeholders in the real estate development process has demonstrated that there is a better way for architects to be of greater service.

Just as individual cogs in a watch perform their specific function without fully understanding the potential or purpose of the timepiece, many architects focus solely on the architecture or design, without proper consideration for the broader financial and operational impact of a project. The same applies to owners that solely focus on the cog of the perceived economics of initial project costs without comprehending the larger aspect of enduring value and design as an intrinsic differentiator for the powerful financial machine being created.

In the analogy of the watch, a watch can be many things—a maintenance challenge requiring constant manual winding or calibration, a simple utilitarian timepiece, a digital powerhouse of computing on a wrist, or a statement of style, a private collector’s item, an icon, or all of these things at once. Likewise, a building is more than just a physical structure; it can be utilitarian, architecture, art, an investment, a tax strategy, a business asset, a financial tool, or all of these things at once. Good design often results as a major competitive differentiator and can create intrinsic value beyond what can be seen in a spreadsheet projection.

We utilize our decades of experience across the full life-cycle of commercial real estate, from project conception, to site selection (undeveloped land without utilities), to building construction, leasing, tenant turnover, long-term maintenance, and eventual disposition. By having personally stepped into the roles of various stakeholders, we don’t just see their perspectives— we actively apply a more comprehensive knowledge & experience base to every project to make the most informed decisions & create optimized outcomes.

Often times we find that there’s no compromise necessary as we find that one hand washes the other and that traditional “limitations” on sites can be seen as design opportunities— refer to our case studies to see this principle in application. Decision-making is easy once there is a clear hierarchy where the architecture comes first, but is still “built on a solid foundation” of sound financials.

consulting Roles

We have operated as external consultants in a variety of roles:

  • site selection consulting

  • pre-development feasibility studies

  • schematic design architect

  • commercial site/master planning for pad site developments

  • large project manager for other architecture/engineering firms

  • architect of record

  • commercial lease negotiations

  • leasing dispute resolution strategies

We will discuss some examples in further case studies, but this is conceptually illustrative of how a more rounded understanding of the real estate spectrum enables us to provide strategic guidance tailored to diverse property needs.

a developer Mindset

Since we have firsthand experience in the role of the developer, we understand the priorities are differentiated from the project design to focus on:

  • Business operations – Ensuring the space meets functional needs

  • Passive income – Supplementing active income through investment

  • Financial rewards– Making strategic decisions now to maximize return on investment

investor profile

This perspective is particularly relevant for licensed professional occupations such as physicians, dentists, attorneys, or other specialists who seek real estate for their business or practice as well as a way to diversify their financial portfolio.

Their profile typically features:

  • Strong financials and planning, driving them to invest for the future

  • A practical mindset, favoring tangible assets over stocks, bonds, or digital currency

  • A strong preference for ownership over renting, seeing leasing as a missed opportunity for financial control

  • A proprietor who desires to secure a space for their business while building equity aside from business operations

  • The owner-occupancy combined with supplemental lease potential enhances the project’s viability and financing advantages

  • A typical project budget in the $500,000 (renovations) -$5,000,000+ (ground-up construction) range.

By understanding both the architectural and investment aspects of real estate, we create places that don’t just work beautifully—they also work financially.