Field Guide to Site Selection
(Updated November 2009)
Successful site selection begins with the basics - traffic flow, market analysis, property size, and zoning restrictions, among other factors. But site selection considerations for a restaurant differ widely from those for warehouse properties. Learn the basics, and then venture into site selection for office, retail, restaurant, hotel, and warehouse properties, in this updated Field Guide. (S. Hogan, Information Specialist)
Site Selection Basics
Using a traffic study to select a retail site, (Women’s Enterprise Centre).
How to pick a site for your business, (Inc., Oct. 2009). Q
A step-by-step guide to choosing the right site, (Area Development Online, Nov. 2007).
Site Selection for Office & Retail Properties
Choosing a retail location, (Women’s Enterprise Centre).
Factors in considering a shopping center location, (Women’s Enterprise Centre).
Watch and learn: Commerce and curriculum are a natural match in North Carolina, which tops the business climate rankings yet again, (Site Selection Online, Nov. 2009).
Forced to count every dollar, retailers re-evaluate site selection practices, (Retail Traffic, Sept. 15, 2009).
Site selection’s new look, (Chain Store Age, July 2008). Q
Case study: Site unseen, (Retail Traffic, Jan. 1, 2007).
Site Selection for Restaurants & Hospitality Properties
Site selection: Where good food means most, (Chain Leader, Sept. 1, 2009).
Operators step up hunt for unconventional sites, (Nation’s Restaurant News, Nov. 24, 2008). Q
Location, location, location, (Nation’s Restaurant News, July 14, 2008). Q
Get the site right, (Restaurant Hospitality, Nov. 2007). Q
Site selection: The secret sauce, (National Real Estate Investor, May 1, 2007).
Site Selection for Warehouse Facilities
In search of America's best manufacturing locations, (Industry Week, Oct. 2009). Q
Bio-diesel plant location decision, (Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 2008). Q
A quick guide to strategic siting, (Industry Week, May 2008). Q
Warehouse shopping, (Industrial Engineer, Apr. 2008). Q
eBooks & Other Resources
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
The dynamics of property location (Adobe eReader)
Developing retail entertainment destinations, (Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute, 2001). NAC 1800 Ur1dr
Multifamily housing development handbook, (Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute, 2000). HD 1377 Ur1mh
Resort development handbook, (Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute, 1997). NAC 1800 Ur1rd
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Investing in Real Estate
Field Guide to Retail Property: Development, Leasing, Management
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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