Sector
Retail
Scope
2D CAD Architectural & Structural Drawings
Location
Florida, USA
Deliverables
2D CAD Drawings;
Floor Plans
Elevation Plans
Area Calculation (BOMA)
About The Project
The Bellcrest project in Florida involved producing detailed 2D CAD architectural and structural drawings for a shopping mall spanning 81K square feet (7.5K square meters). Commissioned by a U.S. based property management company, this project aimed to support due diligence and renovation planning for the retail space. The primary goal was due diligence – ensuring the client was paying for the correct square footage before purchasing the property. By verifying the actual measurements, the client aimed to avoid potential financial discrepancies and confirm the deal aligned with their investment expectations.
A secondary objective involved re-planning the retail space to maximize profitability. This included detailed architectural and structural plans for future renovations and reorganization of individual stores within the mall. The work extended to the level of specific tenants, ensuring accurate data on store layouts, square footage per tenant, and potential adjustments to rent or leases. This strategic planning was essential for enhancing future revenue and optimizing space usage.
To achieve these goals, we utilized LIDAR technology and converted the point cloud data into highly accurate elevation drawings, floor plans and detailed area calculations (BOMA). This process ensured highly accurate documentation of the building’s layout, providing the foundation for both property acquisition and future development. The CAD deliverables equipped our client with a clear understanding of the property’s value and potential. With the accurate plans and measurements we provided, the client could proceed confidently, knowing their investment was based on verified and precise data.
Project Challenges & Deliverables
The Bellcrest project posed several challenges that required the expertise and adaptability of our engineering and CAD teams to ensure precise and timely delivery. A primary challenge was the tight turnaround time. The client’s acquisition process hinged on receiving accurate area calculations (BOMA), and CAD drawings promptly, as the deal could not proceed without verifying the exact square footage. Our team prioritized the project, ensuring all deliverables were completed within the required timeframe to support the client's decision-making process.
A significant obstacle arose from large sections of the mall being under active construction during the scanning process. Entire areas were inaccessible, requiring creative solutions to produce a complete as-built model. To overcome this, we integrated design PDFs provided by the client with LIDAR scan data to reconstruct and model the under-construction zones accurately. This meticulous process ensured that the final plans reflected the property’s full layout, capturing both the existing and developing areas. Additionally, restricted access to operational sections of the mall complicated the scanning process.
Our architectural and structural teams leveraged existing data and extensive experience to extrapolate and recreate unscanned spaces, ensuring no part of the property was left undocumented. By addressing these challenges, we successfully delivered detailed CAD drawings, floor plans, and area calculations, enabling our client to proceed confidently with the acquisition and renovation planning.
