Whether you’re developing a commercial space for a non-profit, a small business or a mid-to-large sized corporation, your successful project begins with a plan. As such, it’s to your advantage to understand the full value of due diligence and viability planning for commercial real estate development.
The due diligence process allows you to determine if your project is truly viable before significant investments are made. This saves you from pursuing commercial development projects that may not be feasible or profitable in the long run.
When done correctly, due diligence includes assessing the site's suitability, understanding the full spectrum of regulatory constraints and evaluating the project's alignment with business goals and local ordinances.
Careful due diligence sets the stage for permit drawings based on site and/or building parameters that are customized to your needs and meet regulatory specifications. And a detailed, viable plan supports construction that proceeds smoothly from start to finish.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta approached Jones Pierce to renovate its Warren Club in Grant Park, specifically to create a separate teen center. Limited by a small exterior courtyard, our design team maximized space by adding a mezzanine and opening up the perimeter, allowing for unrestricted program areas. (Learn more about this non-profit's commercial development project.)
Here’s how our due diligence and viability planning ensures the success of your next commercial project.
Key Steps of Due Diligence and Viability
Here’s how our due diligence and viability planning ensures the success of your next commercial project.
At Atlanta-based Jones Pierce Architects, we employ a comprehensive five-step framework to ensure the success of new-build and commercial renovation projects. From gathering critical information upfront to site analysis to navigating local and historic requirements and more, our process helps our commercial clients avoid expensive delays, needless frustration and unwelcome surprises, minimizing key risks and ensuring optimal outcomes.
1. Project Introduction & Information
Due diligence begins with careful listening and open communication. In this crucial first step, the Jones Pierce team engages with you, your staff and, sometimes, potential users of the commercial building site, to thoroughly understand your desires, needs and functional requirements.
This process goes far beyond the basics of information gathering to establishing a foundation of clear communication and shared understanding for efficient problem solving. By setting clear goals and communication protocols early, you avoid the confusion, delays and increased costs that often result from unclear or changing project requirements.
For example, imagine a tech startup is building a new office space. Through the in-depth discussions held during the project introduction and information step, elements that might have been overlooked in a less thorough initial consultation are uncovered, such as the need for flexible workspaces, advanced technological infrastructure, and common areas that foster real-time interaction and collaboration.
💡Key takeaway: The clear and open communication channels Jones Pierce Architects establishes from day one help facilitate swift resolution of any issues that may arise throughout the project.
2. Site Analysis & Planning
In the second step of the due diligence process, we examine the physical, environmental and contextual conditions of your chosen site. This comprehensive analysis is crucial for understanding project feasibility and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Uncovering potential problems before they become costly surprises helps you avoid the financial strain of wasting resources on potentially non-viable projects.
An early review of zoning and building codes ensures your project aligns with local regulations, so we can create a design that maximizes the site's potential while adhering to constraints.
For example, suppose a non-profit plans to convert a historic building into a community center. Our team’s site analysis reveals accessibility challenges, zoning restrictions and potential renovation costs. This information allows the non-profit to make informed decisions about the project's feasibility and budget before committing significant resources.
💡Key takeaway: identifying and addressing these factors early, you're better positioned to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, so you can move forward with a project that's both compliant and optimized for your needs.
Atlanta-based architectural firm Jones Pierce follows a five-step framework for successful projects, minimizing delays and risks for the best outcomes.
3. Conditional Factors/Zoning + Code Review
Once we know the project is feasible, we can begin navigating the complex landscape of local regulations and policies in depth.
This step involves a thorough analysis of zoning laws, building codes and any historic preservation requirements that may impact your project.
By proactively addressing regulatory requirements, you can avoid costly delays and increase the likelihood of securing necessary approvals and entitlements.
Also, early engagement with city officials, when needed, can expedite the approval process and allows for design adjustments to meet code requirements without compromising project goals.
Here’s an example: A mid-sized company wants to convert an old warehouse into modern office space, but a thorough zoning and code review reveals the building's current zoning doesn't allow for office use. The architects work with city planners to apply for a zoning variance, demonstrating how the project will revitalize the area and bring in new jobs. They also address building code issues like updating the fire suppression system and ensuring ADA compliance for the new office layout.
💡Key takeaway: By successfully navigating conditional factors like zoning and building codes early, your project is positioned for smoother execution and a higher level of success.
Jones Pierce Architects converted a former Atlanta public school into a new business headquarters for the Families First non-profit organization. The project included full site work, construction of a new lobby and rear entry canopy, plus interior modifications including materials, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and room reconfiguration throughout. (Learn more about this non-profit's commercial development project.)
4. Historic & Architectural Review Boards
When your project includes a historic preservation requirement, you’ll need to engage with local history officials and architectural review boards (ARBs) to ensure your project aligns with preservation requirements and community expectations.
In our experience serving commercial developers throughout the Atlanta metro, we found that early engagement leads to better community support for your project. Successful navigation of this step mitigates potential conflicts with local authorities and community groups and helps avoid costly modifications later in the project.
While documenting how your project contributes positively to the area's cultural heritage and demonstrating how you’ll ensure adherence to specific guidelines for historic properties, it’s helpful to remember that a well-executed historic renovation can significantly increase property value and public approval.
Here’s an example: A non-profit plans to convert a historic building into a community center. The architect collaborates closely with the city's historic preservation office and ARB to develop a design that respects the building's historic character while accommodating modern accessibility requirements and the non-profit's programming needs. This proactive approach not only secures necessary approvals in a timely manner but also generates community enthusiasm for the project.
💡Key takeaway: Careful collaboration with historic preservation groups and ARBs ensures your project enhances rather than conflicts with its historic context, potentially leading to a smoother approval process and a more valuable end result.
5. Project Timeline Creation & Viability Assessment
The final step in Jones Pierce Architects’ due diligence process culminates in a comprehensive roadmap for your commercial real estate project. We compile all the information we’ve gathered about your project into a detailed timeline and viability assessment to provide you with a clear path forward.
You’ll receive an invaluable document that offers:
A complete documentation of site conditions, regulatory requirements and project potential
A practical working timeline incorporating all necessary steps, allowing for realistic scheduling and resource allocation and scheduling
Because the timeline and viability assessment assembles all the project requirements in one place, it will reveal any unrealistic expectations or unexpected challenges. And because it provides our well-researched holistic view of your project's viability, it also points to solutions.
When potential challenges are identified and accounted for in the planning, the viability assessment enables you to make confident decisions about project investment and progression.
💡Key takeaway: Once the roadmap is generated, this signifies our completion of our Due Diligence and Viability Planning stage. It signals Jones Pierce Architects’ readiness to move into the next phase of our overall process for commercial project management, which is Preliminary Design.
When the Rome-Floyd E.C.O. Center experienced an increased demand to support a rapidly growing number of visitors, a renovation for a more modern facility became essential. (Learn more about this non-profit's commercial development project.)
Thorough Planning Drives Optimal Outcomes for Commercial Developers
Our thorough planning process produces a dynamic roadmap document that serves as a central reference point for all stakeholders throughout the project and can be adjusted as needed.
With a comprehensive understanding of your project's complexities and any potential challenges, you can develop much more accurate and realistic project expectations and strategies. This allows for better resource allocation, realistic scheduling and improved project management.
Consider Us Your Trusted Partner
When you choose the Jones Pierce Architects team, you get everything you need to move your commercial development project forward confidently. Our experience has been finely tuned over more than 25 years of collaborating with commercial clients in and around the greater Atlanta metropolitan area and other parts of the southeast.
We prioritize making the most efficient decisions for your time and budget while also making creative design choices. At every stage, we’re committed to ensuring you feel comfortable and confident. And our thoughtful, upfront assessments contribute directly to helping you meet your business’ goals.
The bottom line is, we care — about you, your business, your customers and our community.
If you’re envisioning a new commercial project, whether it's for a non-profit or another property type, Jones Pierce Architects will help you enjoy success of the endeavor with fewer headaches. Contact Cooper Pierce at 404.446.3882 or email him to schedule a call.
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