What is Build to Suit?
Build-to-suit is a commercial real estate development where a developer designs and constructs a new facility to meet the specifications and needs of a prospective tenant, who then enters into a long-term lease or purchase agreement for the completed property.
How Build-to-Suit Services Work
The tenant provides specifications for the building's design, size, and features, and the developer handles site selection, financing, and management of the construction process:
- Tenant identifies a need — A company with specific operational or branding needs identifies the requirement for a custom-built facility rather than a pre-existing "one-size-fits-all" property.
- Developer and tenant collaborate — The tenant works with a developer to define their precise needs and specifications for the new building.
- Site selection and financing — The developer finds a suitable location and arranges the necessary financing for the construction project.
- Design and construction — Plans are drawn up and approved, and the facility is built to the agreed-upon specifications.
- Lease agreement — Once construction is complete, the tenant enters into a long-term lease for the new, custom-built property.
Build-to-suit delivery provides a pathway for the tenant to operate in a facility that meets the need of their company’s business plan, without having to expend working capital to design and construct a facility.
Why Choose DBS Group for Build-to-Suit Services?
Partnering with DBS Group for build-to-suit services means gaining more than a landlord. You gain a trusted advisor who understands every phase of the process.
- One partner from start to finish. We provide development, pre-development, design, preconstruction, and construction services under one roof.
- Experience and expertise.
- Financial strength and stability.
- Communication and transparency.
Build-to-Suit Services
- Tenant-focused site selection — identifying and securing locations aligned with your business goals, customer access, and workforce needs.
- Custom facility programming — tailoring building size, layout, and features to your specific operational requirements.
- Owner/tenant collaboration — coordinating with corporate real estate teams, franchise groups, or end users to meet brand and operational standards.
- Single-source accountability — managing everything from land acquisition through design-build delivery under one accountable partner.
- Incentive and financing coordination — connecting you with state, local, or community-based gap financing incentives that strengthen project feasibility.
- Seamless integration with design-build — ensuring your facility is delivered efficiently, cost-effectively, and ready for move-in.
What Integrated Development Means for Your Project
Build-to-suit projects demand careful alignment between your business needs, site potential, and facility design — and with DBS Group, that integration is seamless. Every element is coordinated to align with your organization’s business plan, streamline decision-making, and deliver a facility that’s move-in ready, on time and on budget.
Explore Related Services
Build-to-suit is part of a broader process. Explore our integrated design-build services that support successful build-to-suit delivery:
Affiliations
- NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association