Development Services

Strategic Guidance for Purposeful, Profitable Projects.

At Studio GWA, we understand that buildings—new or old—carry stories, potential, and financial realities. Whether you're restoring a historic property, adapting a building for new uses, or starting from scratch, our Development Services help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Our team works at the intersection of design, feasibility, and community benefit—so your project isn't just beautiful, it's viable.

Building Use Strategy

Not sure what your building should be? We help clients align real estate opportunities with market needs, zoning, and long-term goals. Our experience with mixed-use, residential, commercial, civic, and community-based projects means we can uncover opportunities others might miss. From apartments above retail to flexible cultural spaces, we explore a range of viable use scenarios tailored to your community or mission.

Feasibility Studioes and Pro Forma Support

Every good project begins with the right questions. What will it cost? What will it earn? Where are the risks? We work closely with clients to develop early pro formas that account for construction costs, soft costs, income potential, phasing, and financing. Whether you’re a private developer, nonprofit, or public agency, we help you map out a realistic path to a return on your investment—financially and socially.

Grants, Incentives, & Tax Credits

We help identify, pursue, and integrate funding strategies that make your project possible—including local, state, and federal tools. Our team has extensive experience with:

  • Historic Tax Credits (state and federal)

  • TIF Districts & Redevelopment Agreements

  • Brownfield & Environmental Incentives

  • Facade & Small Business Grants

  • Low-Interest Financing Programs

We help clients understand the obligations, timelines, and documentation required to maximize these resources.

Why Studio GWA?

We’re not just designers—we’re planners, preservationists, and realists. Our approach to development balances creativity with strategy. We bring experience from successful community and commercial projects across the Midwest, and we know what it takes to get from vision to occupancy.

Whether you're working with a vacant downtown storefront, a beloved community anchor, or an underutilized site, we’re here to help you unlock its potential—one smart decision at a time.