What Is the Best Strip Mall Store Depth?
By LC on Dec 27, 2007 in Ask The Strip Mall Insider
From Oscar in Bonita Springs, FL
Q: Hi, I am a contractor and my clients want me to build a strip center on their land. I told them that it doesn’t cost much more to build a bigger building by making it deeper but the architect says not to. What is the best depth for a strip center?
A: Oscar, the architect is probably right, and so are you. The biggest expense of the building envelope for a strip mall is the frontage because the storefront is largely glass. The rear of the building has lots of framing for the service doors, but the sides (or depth) are simply framing that is cheap and goes fast.
With that said, it’s not as cheap in the long run as you may think, and that’s probably why the architect disagreed with you. You see, the major value to a strip mall is street frontage, and the more frontage, the bigger the signage and the more “windows on the world” you have for the total square footage. We’ve found that we often have to discount the rental for spaces over 65′ in depth, and have found the optimum size to be 60′ deep. You can go 50′ on a tight site, but no less as the retailers need large ADA restrooms and storage areas. If you need any help let me know, Florida is sounding real good right now! ~ LC
