Real options in action : vertical phasing in commercial real estate development

Real estate development is inherently a risky endeavor. Developers encounter varied risks during the different phases of a development project, from permitting to construction and through lease-up and stabilized operations. Flexibility allows a developer to mitigate some of these risks by capitalizing on potential upsides, and reducing the effects from possible downsides. Flexibility, and phasing specifically, enables a developer to manage risk more effectively by allowing a building to grow as market conditions warrant. This thesis investigates the determinants and implementation of vertical phasing, and suggests areas of applicability for vertically phased development. By "vertical phasing", we mean when a building is originally constructed to a certain height, but includes the intentional capacity for it to expand vertically in the future. Vertical phasing is an example of a real option "in" real estate development. A real option embodies a right, but not an obligation to pursue a future course of action. Flexibility, or real options, in real estate is important because it can add value to a project. The significant expansion of tall buildings is a recent phenomenon, though vertical phasing itself is not new. Expanding a one story building to two stories, for example, is a common example of vertical phasing. This thesis examines the decision and development process of major buildings that are constructed with the intentional ability to be expanded vertically in the future without disrupting the occupation and operations of the original building. While the intention is that the vertical expansion will take place at some appropriate time in the future, if such an opportunity never arises, the original building can exist by itself as a complete, fully functioning structure.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Real Estate

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Authors dc:creator

• Pearson, Jason R
• Wittels, Kate S

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Richard de Neufville.

• Urban Studies and Planning.
• Architecture.
• Center for Real Estate.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/59496

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/59496