Design and Construction of Commercial Real Estate

In the modern world, commercial real estate has ceased to be just walls for conducting business. Today, it is a powerful tool for generating profit, building brand image, and creating a comfortable environment for clients and employees. The construction of such facilities requires engineering precision, strategic economic thinking, and flawless execution from builders. With years of experience and a reputation as a reliable general contractor, MARASHSTROY outlines the key aspects of commercial real estate construction—a sphere where every square meter must contribute to success.

What is Commercial Real Estate?

Commercial real estate encompasses any property (buildings, structures, premises, land plots) intended for generating profit. This profit can be achieved through various means: leasing, operational activities (retail, production), or capital appreciation.

The key difference from residential real estate lies in its functional purpose. While housing meets a basic human need for shelter, commercial facilities serve economic objectives. Their design, construction, and management are governed by market laws, return on investment, and the competitive environment.

Investment in commercial real estate construction is a cornerstone of the modern economy. It creates jobs, shapes urban infrastructure—from giant shopping malls and logistics hubs to small local offices and stores—and serves as an indicator of business activity in a region.

Classification of Commercial Real Estate

The commercial real estate market is vast and diverse. For analytical convenience, it is typically classified by functional purpose. Each type has its own specifics, target audience, and, consequently, unique construction requirements.

• Office Real Estate. This includes individual office buildings and entire business centers. An international classification (A, B, C, D) is used, where Class «A» represents the most prestigious and technologically advanced buildings in prime locations, with premium finishes and state-of-the-art engineering systems.
• Retail Real Estate. Properties intended for the sale of goods and services.
• Shopping Malls: Large complexes combining shops, food courts, cinemas, and entertainment zones under one roof. Their construction involves creating an entire ecosystem for shopping and leisure.
• Street Retail: Premises on the ground floors of buildings with separate entrances and storefronts facing busy streets.
• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets: Large-format stores requiring specific layout solutions and convenient access routes.
• Warehouse and Logistics Real Estate. The workhorses of the economy, ensuring logistics and storage. Warehouses and logistics centers also have their own classification (A+, A, B, C, D) based on ceiling height, floor quality, temperature regime, etc.
• Flexible-Use Real Estate: Properties that can be adapted for various activities. This often includes hotels, aparthotels, restaurants, cafes, and fitness clubs.

Requirements for Commercial Real Estate

Constructing a commercial facility is a process strictly regulated by dozens of norms and rules. An error at any stage can lead to reduced profitability or, worse, render the building unusable. All requirements can be divided into several key groups:

1. Legal and Urban Planning: The project starts with legal aspects. The land plot must have the appropriate permitted use. The project must pass state expert review and obtain a construction permit, and the completed facility must be commissioned in strict compliance with the law.

   • Safety: This is an absolute priority. Commercial facilities, especially those with high public occupancy (malls, business centers), undergo rigorous control. This includes well-designed escape routes, smoke extraction systems, automatic fire suppression, non-combustible finishing materials. Load calculations account for high traffic and equipment weight, along with uninterruptible power supply systems for critical components.

   • Functionality and Efficiency: The building must be profitable. This is achieved by maximizing usable (leasable) area and minimizing inefficient zones (corridors, lobbies), as well as allowing for easy reconfiguration to meet specific tenant needs.

   • Engineering Systems: The circulatory system of the building. Commercial real estate requires powerful and fail-safe ventilation and air conditioning systems, reliable power supply systems with backup capabilities, etc.

2. Accessibility (Barrier-Free Environment): A modern facility must be convenient for all citizens, including people with disabilities. Ramps, wide doorways, elevators, and specially equipped restrooms are mandatory standards.

Specifics of Design and Construction

The process of constructing a commercial facility is fundamentally different from residential construction. It requires an integrated approach and close collaboration between specialists from various fields.

1. The design of a commercial building begins not with architecture, but with market analysis and ROI calculations. The architect must think like an economist: how will staircase placement affect customer flow in a mall? How to plan office space so a tenant can maximize workstations? This stage lays the foundation for the project's future success.
2. The EPC contract model is highly effective for commercial construction. This means a single general contractor takes responsibility for the entire work cycle: from design and permitting (Engineering) to procuring all materials and equipment (Procurement) and the actual construction (Construction). For the client, this means full control over timelines and budget, along with solid guarantees of the result.
3. Modern commercial facilities are complex engineering systems. They cannot be built using outdated methods. BIM (Building Information Modeling) has become the key technology here.

What Construction Technologies Are Used for Commercial Facilities?

For constructing commercial facilities, MARASHSTROY uses proven and effective technologies, the choice of which is dictated by the building's purpose, project timelines, and budget.

• Frame Construction (LSF and Light Gauge Steel Framing): Using light steel frames—one of the fastest and most cost-effective construction methods. It allows for buildings with large spans without internal columns, which is critical for malls, hypermarkets, exhibition pavilions, and warehouse complexes. This technology ensures high-speed assembly in any season.
• Monolithic Construction: This technology, based on pouring reinforced concrete into formwork on-site, is indispensable for building multi-story business centers, hotels, and parking structures. Monolithic construction allows for buildings with complex architectural forms and provides the highest strength and durability.
• BIM Technology: This is more of a management and design technology than a purely construction one, yet it is essential for any modern complex project. MARASHSTROY uses BIM to create an accurate digital twin of the building. This allows for the identification and resolution of thousands of potential clashes (e.g., between utility routes and load-bearing structures) during the design phase, precise calculation of material quantities, and the creation of a realistic work schedule, ultimately saving the client time and money.
• Aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency are fundamental requirements for any commercial property. To meet these demands, ventilated facades with cladding made of composite panels, porcelain stoneware, or glass are employed. These systems not only give the building a modern appearance but also provide excellent thermal insulation, reducing heat loss. Internally, smart building management systems (BMS) are installed. These systems automatically control climate, lighting, and security, significantly reducing the owner's future operational costs.

Why Choose MARASHSTROY?

Choosing a general contractor is the most critical investment decision, determining the project's ultimate success. MARASHSTROY offers clients more than just construction services; we provide a comprehensive, integrated solution. We assume full responsibility for the entire project lifecycle—from engineering and design to procurement, construction, and commissioning. This guarantees our clients a single point of accountability, complete process transparency, and rigorous control over budget and timelines, all backed by our international ISO 9001 quality certification.

MARASHSTROY possesses extensive experience in delivering commercial projects of any scale and complexity. Our portfolio features landmark developments such as the Stolitza Shopping Center, Nebo Shopping Center, Kuzminki Moll Shopping Mall in Moscow, and the iMALL Esplanada Multifunctional Complex in Perm.

This unique track record in constructing highly complex facilities demonstrates our capability to successfully execute commercial projects of any size and intricacy—whether a large-scale shopping and entertainment center, a Class A office building, or a multifunctional complex. Need a reliable partner for your commercial real estate project? Contact us at +7 996 654-41-30 or email info@msconstr.ru.