Navigating the world of commercial real estate requires specialized expertise, especially when it comes to build-to-suit projects. In this Q&A, Commercial Real Estate Agent Travis Voegele shares how being part of Christianson Companies and Property Resources Group provides him and his clients with a unique advantage thanks to access to in-house architectural services, construction teams, and one of the region’s top property development groups.
Travis — First, I would like to say that I am very fortunate to work for a company that makes working on build-to-suit projects a more comprehensive experience for my clients and it is a much easier task for me than it would be for most other agents. Being part of Property Resources Group and Christianson Companies gives my clients a great advantage with in-house architectural and design services, as well as access to one of the region’s largest general contractors and construction departments, and one of the region’s leading property development groups. Property Resources Group and Christianson Companies can really provide a one-stop shop for build-to-suit clients.
I should also mention, that build-to-suit projects can be as comprehensive as buying land, designing a building, and having it built for the client to own, but build-to-suit projects can also include having a developer build a tailormade building for them to lease, or simply taking a blank space within an existing space, and designing and fitting it up to specifically meet their needs. There are many different levels of build-to-suit projects.
Q: Can you walk us through your process for identifying the right location for a build-to-suit project? What key factors do you consider when selecting a site?
A: It all starts with sitting down with the client and really listening to their needs, their wants, what they want to provide for their employees, and what their overall goals as an organization are—from growth to maximizing profitability. After collecting that information, we work with them to assess how much space is needed as well as where their ideal location would be.
Do they need to be in a high-traffic location with high visibility and easy access, or can they be a little more off the beaten path? Obviously, land or even existing buildings in those high-traffic, highly visible areas are more expensive. So selecting the right site directly affects the profitability and viability of the project. With that said, we have always heard the importance of location, location, location. So, if a client’s success depends on exposure and accessibility, we really need to make sure we find them land or a space that will put them front and center. The client’s budget and their desire to own or lease make a big difference. If the client has the desire to own their space, obviously the amount of land needed to build the size and type of building they desire drives the project at first. Next, land cost becomes important. Finally, the size, type of building, and types of amenities are all major factors as well.




