An expanding church’s goal is to create a fully functioning church facility at the lowest possible cost that will succeed in retaining existing members and capturing new attendees. By “fully functioning” we mean all project costs including formulating a strategic planning document, acquiring real property, retaining professionals for engineering, designing, fund raising, financing, construction, installation of audio, visual, lighting, security and outfitting with furniture, fixtures and equipment—all costs from A to Z.
Over the years, Development Advisor has been involved with every kind of church facility project—from renovating an existing church or retail box, to acquiring land and developing ground-up. The total project costs for these projects can vary widely.
Here is the spectrum:
Existing Church. Acquisition: $60-120/SF; Renovation Costs: $20-100/SF for same use. Total Costs: $80-$220/SF
Existing Big Box Retail. Acquisition: $60-100/SF; Renovation Costs: $80-$140/SF for adaptive reuse. Total Costs: $140-240/SF
Ground-Up Development. Total Costs: $265-$295/SF for a fully functioning church facility.
Renovation of Existing Building—Minor Interior Renovations (2012)
Crossroads Community Church (Parker, Colorado) purchased the former Burt Chrysler, Jeep property that was originally constructed in 2006 and in excellent condition. Advisors coordinated minor renovations to convert this into a fully functioning church facility. Here are the details of the project:
Building Size. 45,000 SF on 8.7 acres.
Seating. 550 in Phase 1 up to 1,000 in later phases.
Total Project Costs. Maximum budget was $6,900,000 ($230/SF) for 30,000 SF (67% of building being renovated) including acquisition cost ($4,500,000) of the existing 45,000 SF automobile dealership building. Here are the details of the project:
- Renovation Costs: Fransen Pittman contract including all change orders – $950,000
- AVL, Acoustic treatments – $336K
- Furniture – $90K of furniture
- Cabling, Phone, Security – $50K
- Theming – ‘Wow’ factor and interior signage – $20K
- Exterior Signage – $12K
- Design, Project Management – $215K
- Due Diligence – $22K
Renovation of Existing Shell—Complete Interior Improvements (2011)
Stapleton Fellowship Church (Denver, Colorado) purchased a historic building (former aircraft hangar) that had all horizontal in-place and a renovated shell finished. Advisors coordinated all the renovations from this condition. The cost per SF was quite high for so much already in place because it’s amortized over a very small area. Here are the details of the project:
Building Size. 8,723 SF plus installed new mezzanine for additional 4,373 SF on second floor (with elevator). Total = 13,098 SF
Seating. 300-350 in auditorium. Christmas Eve (2012) had 400+ attendees.
Total Project Costs. $4,173,000 ($319/SF) as follows:
- Building Acquisition: purchase of existing renovated core & shell – $1,825,000
- Renovation Costs: Fransen Pittman GC contract including all change orders – $1,412,000
- AVL, Acoustic treatments – $350K
- Furniture – $55K
- Cabling, Phone System, Security – $32K
- Theming – ‘Wow’ factor and interior signage – $66K
- Exterior Signage – $12K
- Window treatments – $30K
- Building permit including increasing size of water tap – $42K
- Design, Project Management – $300K
- Due Diligence – $20K
Ground-Up Development—Development of a New Church Facility (2007)
Living Way Fellowship (Highlands Ranch, Colorado) purchased a 5 acre land parcel in Highlands Ranch at the corner of Broadway and Wildcat. Advisors represented the church through project planning, site acquisition, design, engineering, construction and outfitting of the building with audio, visual, lighting, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Here are the details of the project:
Building Size. 28,000 SF
Seating. 500 seats
Total Project Costs. $7,674,000 ($274/SF) as follows:
· Land Acquisition: 5 acres for $1.34 million
- Construction Costs: Waner Construction GC contract including all change orders – $4.63 million
- AVL/Acoustic treatments – $150,000
- Finance Fees/construction interest/bonds costs – $315,000
- Building permit/ water taps/testing – $300,000
- Professional Services (design, engineering, project management – $615,000
- Cabling, phone, security, window coverings – $75,000
- FF&E – $105,000
- Playground – $50,000
Ground-Up Development—Development of a New Church Facility (2009)
Mission Hills Church (Littleton, Colorado) purchased a vacant land parcel in SouthPark. Advisors was successful in changing the zoning to allow for a church use. Advisors then acted as the representative for the church through the design, engineering, construction and outfitting of the building with audio, visual, lighting, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Here are the details of the project:
Building Size. 100,000 SF
Seating. 1,100 expandable to 1,700
Total Project Costs. $28,372,000 ($284/SF) as follows:
· Land Acquisition: 20 acres for $5.88 million
- Construction Costs: Fransen Pittman GC contract including all change orders – $16.1 million
- AVL, Acoustic treatments – $1,800,000
- Finance Fees, construction interest, bonds costs – $1,100,000
- Building permit, water taps, materials testing – $1,065,000
- Design, Project Management – $1,722,000
- FF&E – $720,000 – included $55,000 of Theming
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at info@developco.com.