Phase 4: Detailed Design, Tender & Financing
(6–9 months)
This is the critical phase where ambition meets execution.
Activities include:
Full technical design and detailing
Tender process with selected contractors
Final construction pricing and contingency setting
Finalisation of financing structure
At this point:
Construction costs are fixed or capped
Financing is secured (equity and, where relevant, debt)
Amenity spaces are fully integrated into the cost plan
Operational standards and service levels are confirmed
The project only proceeds to construction once cost, financing, and design are fully aligned.
Capital exposure: committed
Output: investment-ready project with defined risk profile
Phase 5: Construction
(18–24 months)
Construction is executed with emphasis on:
Build quality and material integrity
Coordination between architecture, interiors, and building systems
Delivery of both private homes and shared spaces to the same standard
Amenities are delivered as integral parts of the building, not add-ons. Their cost is embedded in the financial model and reflected in long-term rental economics and asset valuation.
Leasing preparations typically run in parallel with construction, with unit mix, finishes, and operational standards aligned early to support efficient lease-up and long-term tenant satisfaction.
Phase 6: Completion, Handover & Stabilisation
(6–12 months post-completion)
Following completion:
Tenants are onboarded in a phased, controlled manner as part of a structured lease-up process
Concierge and building services are fully operational from day one
Shared spaces are activated gradually rather than all at once
Stabilisation for EUI projects is measured not in speed, but in:
Low friction at handover
High resident satisfaction
A building that settles quickly into everyday use
Long-Term Operation & Value
Once stabilised, the building operates as a low-turnover, high-quality residential asset. Amenities and services are funded through a transparent operational model aligned with long-term ownership and tenant expectations, not subsidised through unrealistic assumptions.
This structured timeline ensures:
Planning and cost risk is addressed early
Design ambition is protected through execution
Amenities are financially justified and sustainable
Capital is deployed progressively and responsibly
PROJECT TIMELINE, DEVELOPMENT MODEL & STRATEGIC ENTRY
The development of a SUITE 01 building for Established Urban Independents follows a disciplined, stage-gated process, where design ambition, capital deployment, and planning risk are aligned step by step. Each phase has a clear objective, decision point, and cost framework.
Phase 1: Site Identification & Initial Feasibility
(0–3 months)
The process begins with identifying a site that meets the fundamental criteria of the concept: appropriate scale, parking potential, residential zoning, and long-term suitability for high-quality, long-term rental homes for independent urban residents.
At this stage we undertake:
High-level zoning and planning review
Initial massing and capacity studies
Early assessment of parking feasibility (including underground solutions)
Preliminary cost benchmarks based on comparable builds
Capital exposure: limited
Output: go / no-go decision on site pursuit
Phase 2: Site Control & Concept Design
(3–6 months)
Once a site is selected, control is secured through acquisition or option structure, depending on ownership and risk profile.
During this phase:
Concept-level architectural design is developed
Unit mix, apartment sizes, and gross-to-net ratios are defined
Initial amenity programme is fixed (library, dining room, fitness, guest units, etc.)
First-order construction cost estimate is prepared with advisors
Financial model is built, including cost of amenities and shared spaces
Amenities at this stage are not aspirational — they are costed, prioritised, and tested against rental economics, operating assumptions, and long-term asset performance.
Capital exposure: moderate
Output: validated concept, cost envelope, and investment case
Phase 3: Planning & Permitting
(6–12 months, depending on municipality)
With concept design in place, the project enters the formal planning process.
Key actions:
Detailed architectural drawings for planning submission
Ongoing dialogue with municipality and planning authorities
Refinement of façade, height, access, and parking solutions
Adjustment of design where required without diluting core DNA
During this phase, the design is locked at a level sufficient to give cost certainty, while still allowing refinement at detail level later.
Capital exposure: controlled
Risk reduced: planning and zoning risk materially reduced
Independent Cost, Programme & Risk Control (QS & PM Framework)
A core differentiator in the SUITE 01 delivery model is the use of independent Quantity Surveying (QS) and Project Management (PM) — a discipline refined through SUITE 07’s development work in the UK and now embedded into the Scandinavian execution model.
From early feasibility through completion, an independent QS is responsible for:
Establishing and maintaining the project cost plan
Providing phased cost certainty as design develops
Advising on procurement strategy and contract structure
Managing tender evaluation and contractor selection
Monitoring cash flow, interim valuations, variations, and final account
In parallel, an independent Project Manager oversees programme, coordination, and delivery discipline:
Structuring and maintaining the master programme
Coordinating consultants, authorities, and contractors
Managing planning approvals and statutory processes
Monitoring progress, risk, and decision gates
Ensuring alignment between design intent, cost control, and delivery
This dual structure — QS and PM operating alongside the design team but independent of it — ensures that cost, time, and quality are treated as equal and transparent variables, not competing interests. For institutional and pension-backed capital, this provides a familiar and robust governance framework, reducing execution risk and protecting capital throughout the lifecycle of the project.