Summary
Making the Right Start: Key Steps for Launching a Multifamily Development Project
Starting a multifamily development can be the toughest part of the entire journey. To make a confident Go/No-Go decision, developers need a clear understanding of a site’s feasibility.
Additional early steps—like engaging civil engineers, contractors, and property managers—help ensure a well-rounded view of the project’s feasibility.
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by Joshua Hahn
Just starting a new multifamily development project can be the most challenging step in the entire process. Getting off the ground (figuratively – not literally!) requires a clear understanding of the site’s feasibility. With timely and accurate input from project partners, developers can make a confident, well-informed Go/No-Go decision.
1. Site Analysis
A thorough site analysis begins with a review of zoning regulations and the neighborhood context. Key considerations include permitted uses, parking requirements, setbacks, easements, building height, density limits, etc. If the project cannot proceed “by right” (i.e., without seeking special approvals), the team should begin crafting a rezoning strategy that aligns with both community character and project goals.
2. Yield Study
Understanding how many units the site can support influences everything from financial feasibility and construction costs to the scale and vision of the project. At this stage, it’s also important to start defining key amenities and the overall program that will drive market appeal and differentiation.
3. Site Planning
Once the development potential is understood, a preliminary architectural site plan helps shape the vision. This 2D drawing shows the building footprint and integrates elements identified during site analysis—such as parking layout and site access. Offering multiple high-level options at this stage encourages valuable feedback from ownership.
These three steps—site analysis, yield study, and site planning—lay the foundation for a project that aligns with code, ownership vision, and stakeholder expectations. With this foundation, developers can make an informed Go/No-Go decision.
There are other considerations to be had at the start of a multifamily development project that can affect design and impact the project’s feasibility. This includes engaging a civil engineer to survey the site, speaking with a general contractor about pricing, and working with property management to understand operating expenses and issues.
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Need help making your Go/No-Go decision? Our team can help. HDJ, Inc., is a leading national design firm providing architectural and engineering expertise to support the multifamily and affordable housing industry throughout the United States. HDJ’s diverse portfolio includes successful outcomes with adaptive reuse, acquisition rehabs, new construction, and historic preservation. Contact HDJ to learn more about how we can support your design needs.
