Phasing: The Design Strategy That Shapes Every Large Site Project

Large-site developments aren’t built overnight and they’re rarely built all at once. The phasing strategy you choose can determine whether a project moves forward smoothly or becomes mired in disruption.

That’s why phasing isn’t just a construction plan. It’s a design strategy. Done well, it safeguards the long-term vision while making sure every interim step is livable, functional, and worth building.

On a recent Meltzer/Mandl project, a 6-acre site with 12 existing buildings, phasing is key to balancing resident needs, construction logistics, and long-term vision.

• Over 200 residents will need housing or temporary relocation during construction

• Roads, access, and egress must remain fully operational, including fire department access

• Infrastructure will need to support both current and future phases, while making efficient use of parking

• Sequencing must maximize efficiency and momentum, with clear staging areas for construction

Our approach: a carefully designed phasing plan that balances resident needs, operational continuity, and long-term project goals. Each phase is structured to be self-sufficient while moving the site closer to its ultimate vision:

Phase 1: Relocate residents into up to 150 available surplus units on-site

Phase 2: Complete critical infrastructure work to support ongoing and future phases

Phase 3: Finish remaining construction and transition the site to its final configuration

A three-phase strategy: Relocate residents, build infrastructure, complete the vision

By planning phasing this way, we ensure that residents remain in their community, construction proceeds efficiently, and every stage of the project supports the ultimate vision.

Why it matters:

Without the right phasing plan, even the best-designed project can stumble. With it, you not only protect residents and maintain operations, you also build confidence among stakeholders, create visible progress, and keep the long-term vision intact.

At Meltzer/Mandl, we bring phasing to the forefront of design, ensuring that every stage of a large-site project works in the present while building toward the future.