The Importance of Landscape in Real Estate Development
Landscape in real estate development is far too much an afterthought given the immense contribution it can make to the overall appeal of any real estate project. In our development model landscape sits at the forefront.
We see good design as absolutely critical to the customer appeal and success of any development project. In a bit of a departure, however, we take the standard ranking of important design elements, which typically gives building architecture first priority, and invert the ranking to place landscape and landscape design at the top of our list.
To our way of thinking what makes landscape so important?
- On a pure dollar for dollar basis, we feel that extraordinary, fascinating and spectacular landscape settings can be created at a fraction of the cost of building architecture that occupies a similar area and accommodates a similar number of people. It's cost efficient.
- We believe that the human desire to be in a safe, welcoming, active and well-defined outdoor setting holds far more attractive power than nearly any building we could build. Because people have a strong desire to be outdoors in an active setting, landscape can serve as an effective and inexpensive development anchor.
- People are content to stay longer and spend more money on goods and services in a mature, shaded outdoor setting. Commercially speaking, it's dollar-wise.
- Nearly all research has shown that people make a higher quality association between inviting landscape environments and the things they find in them whether it be retail shops, offices, restaurants, residences or parks. It raises the perceived value of everything around it.
- Whether or not people realize or appreciate these benefits, good outdoor landscape promotes human physical activity and better health, is better for the environment, and effectively reduces the heat island effect which is a byproduct of most hardscape commercial developments. It's healthy and good for the environment.