How should we find a good ratio of units for a Mix-Use project.
Hi, just looking for some quick advice. We have a 50 unit mix use project and need to decide how many units will be studio, two bedroom, and so on. How should we find that ratio?

We also need to decide how much of our commercial floor space should be build for restaurant/fast food. What would be a good size for fast food that cannot have a drive through? 

Your thoughts are appreciated.
[{"id": "iazny07", "text": "No idea about commercial floor space, but we do do MF. My advice would be to follow what your market wants and/or lacks. Are you in a big tech start up town? Lots of studios and one bedrooms. Catering more towards families? Put in more 2br2b and 3br2b. Also try to see what there seems to be a lack of. No need to saturate an already saturated market.", "replies": [{"id": "iaztiay", "text": "Great advice, thank you.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iazqpnl", "text": "Also what do you have space for in terms of floor area?  Are your constrained in total density, number of parking stalls, setbacks from property line.   \n\nRun proformas with different scenarios of unit mix and commercial space to see where is the best return.\nAs for restaurant size, depends on shape and orientation, wether ad outdoor patio space is needed, etc.  Speak to a commercial leasing broker in your area to know the trends.  Typically they are going smaller, bur that\u2019s maybe not in all markets.\nNot enough info to help much.\n\nI agree with above poster, look for what is lacking in your market in terms of unit mix.  Study the competition and speak to a realtors. (If for sale product, for rentals it is different)", "replies": [{"id": "iaztqxa", "text": "Thank you for the advice, do you use excel to run your proformas or some other software?", "replies": [{"id": "ib02kwo", "text": "Excel is fine.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iazwjr4", "text": "Ideally you would get a market study for residential that will indicate the demand for each residential unit type.  For 50 units that might not be necessary, but take a look at your competition and see their unit mix and where they have vacancy.  If they have a lot of vacant 2   beds but no vacant studios you know which way the market is currently leaning, but remember market dynamics shift.   I beds are usually safe.\n\nRetail is another supply and demand issue.   Restaurants need both a daytime population (lunch), and a nighttime population (dinner) to be successful.   They also typically need lots of parking (unless you are urban).    If you are planning to use a retail broker to lease the commercial space they might be able to help with the merchandising plan.   If your residential is over the retail spaces then the restaurant spaces will need exhaust shafts which will lock in which spaces will be restaurant going forward, so get that right!", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]