LandVal

Land Valuation
for NYC Development Sites.

A tool for estimating development site value in New York City. Built for early-stage underwriting — before you commit the time to a full site study.

What LandVal Does

LandVal estimates the development value of NYC sites based on zoning, lot configuration, and market transaction data. The model is built on direct underwriting experience — not retrofitted from a data science framework. It reflects how site value is actually analyzed at the early stages of a deal: start with what the zoning allows, adjust for what the site can realistically deliver, and calibrate against what the market has paid for comparable density.

For Investors
A faster first read on whether a site is worth the time of a full underwrite.
For Developers
An early-stage value check before committing to site-specific due diligence.
For Owners
An independent view of your site's development value, grounded in current zoning and what the market has actually paid.

Market Trends

Sales Volume and Avg. PPZFA by Year

The LandValuator

Enter a property address and zoning parameters. The model returns a preliminary estimated land value with a confidence range and site-specific adjustments — including special district overlays, lot configuration, and inclusionary housing requirements.

Property Details

8 West 45th Street, Manhattan

Manhattan

Midtown

5,000

10.00

MID

Valuation Analysis

Preliminary Estimated Land Value

$41,638,443

Data-driven valuation

Low Range

$37.4M

High Range

$45.8M

Confidence Level: 95% (High)

Valuation Adjustments

  • Special District
  • Zoning Floor Area Coefficient

Feasibility Check

Valuation and feasibility are different questions. LandVal answers both. Once a land value is established, the tool runs a preliminary feasibility check against the estimated development program — giving you a read on deal viability before you've spent time on a full pro forma.

Development Feasibility Snapshot

Using the $41,638,443 estimated land value as the acquisition cost basis.

Preliminary Read: The numbers work at the right basis. Returns are sensitive to construction costs and final land price — the deal warrants a closer look before committing.

Key Return Metrics

Projected Total Development Cost

~$88M

Expected NOI

~$5.5M

Yield on Cost

6.0-6.5%

Levered IRR

14-17%

From Feasibility to Pro Forma

When a quick check isn't enough, the Back of the Envelope calculator is your next step. This interactive pro forma lets you model development scenarios in real-time, bridging the gap between a high-level look and a full underwriting. Adjust costs, pricing, and financing to see exactly how the numbers pencil out.

By FAR
By Units
Condo / For-Sale
Rental

Assumptions

Condo · By FAR — buildable area from floor area ratio

Site & FAR
Lot Square Footage5,000 SF
Allowable FAR12.00
Net Efficiency %85%
Pricing
Market Rate Price / SF$2,450
Selling Costs4.0%
Costs
Hard Cost PSF$550
Soft Cost % of Hard25%
Land Cost$41,750,000

with Off-Site Inclusionary Housing Bonus

Financing & Timeline
Loan-to-TPC65%
Construction Rate7.5%
Total Duration42 mo

Feasibility Verdict: Viable

Pre-Tax Profit

$29.9M

Profit Margin

24.9%

Equity Multiple

1.95x

Revenue
Net Residential$120.0M
Total Net Proceeds$120.0M
Cost Summary
Hard Cost$33.0M
Soft Cost$8.3M
Construction Interest$7.1M
Total Project Cost$90.1M

How It Works

LandVal follows the logic of how site analysis actually happens — establish a baseline from the zoning, then adjust for what the specific site can and cannot deliver.

1. Enter the address and zoning district.
LandVal identifies the applicable FAR and generates a baseline value estimate from recent comparable transactions.
2. Adjust for site conditions.
Lot configuration, inclusionary requirements, special purpose district overlays — the variables that separate a real underwrite from a back-of-envelope estimate.
3. Review the output.
A valuation range with confidence scoring, alongside a preliminary feasibility check: estimated development cost, yield on cost, and levered IRR.