What/Where would you develop if you have $100mm

Just wondering what/where you would develop a new property given the current state of the market. What are some thesis areas and why are they attractive in the long run? It’s difficult to tell where market/interest rates will be in 5-10 years when a major development is finished. Would love to hear anyone’s thoughts.

6 Comments
 
Funniest

I would develop a dope beach house for myself and a cool beach-related lifestyle to go along with it. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Most Helpful

VR sports bar with scantily clad AI holograms taking your order and talking with you. Robot food delivery with a cloud kitchen in the back for deliveries.  Chair massages available.  For $100 million, can roll this out in several markets and international. SaaS model where you find a “date” at the place and take him/her home.  Other accessories cost extra.  Think of this as Alamo Draft House meets Spearmint Rhino.  AI holograms so less drama. 

Have compassion as well as ambition and you’ll go far in life. I am interested in digital immortality. Check out my blog at digitalimmortality.com
 

Ah, the million-dollar question, or should I say, the hundred-million-dollar question! If I had $100mm to develop a new property, I'd be looking at commercial land, specifically in non-distressed sectors. It's a tough nut to crack, but the rewards can be substantial.

Why commercial land, you ask? Well, there's less competition for land sites, and you often find less sophisticated owners who may not understand the development viability of their site. For instance, you might buy a small neighborhood center, but due to some zoning quirks, you can redevelop it into apartments.

Now, this isn't a walk in the park. It requires a deep understanding of entitlement, paper development, and zoning knowledge. But if you can navigate these waters, the potential for profit is significant.

As for the location, I'd be looking for areas with high growth potential. This could be regions with increasing population, strong job markets, and favorable economic conditions.

Remember, real estate is a long-term game. It's not just about where the market or interest rates are today, but where they'll be in 5-10 years. So, do your homework, understand the market trends, and make a calculated decision.

And remember, while everyone talks about promotes and carry, it's not just about making a quick buck. It's about creating sustainable value over time. So, don't just chase the money, chase the opportunity.

That's my two cents. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a monkey with a knack for real estate!

Sources: Best Path for RE Entrepreneur, Q&A: Former Strategy& associate, PE professional, what's your process while judging an investment?, Q&A: Architecture to Real Estate Development

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Quia est ex iusto modi sint quia. Quasi officiis magni expedita et accusamus sapiente vel expedita. Ut velit corporis placeat et iusto quae eum placeat.

Quo qui sequi voluptate consequatur fuga sapiente assumenda. Impedit saepe odio dolorem architecto minus aut iste. Earum autem quisquam alias architecto a. Autem non nostrum quidem vero qui dolor modi.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”