Enter project inputs
Use the fields below to test overall scheme size, shared areas, tenant dimensions, and external planning limits.
Example data table
This worked example shows how the calculator can support a medium scale retail planning exercise.
| Input or output | Example value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Gross site area | 20,000 sq ft | Defines the outer development envelope. |
| Building coverage | 55% | Converts land area into floorplate area. |
| Floors | 2 | Expands total built area vertically. |
| Shared allowances | 33% | Captures corridors, service rooms, and reserve space. |
| Target unit area | 850 sq ft | Sets the baseline shop size for planning. |
| Recommended regular units | 23 | Represents the feasible count after constraints. |
Formula used
Building footprint = Site area × Coverage ÷ 100
Gross floor area = Building footprint × Number of floors
Shared deduction area = Gross floor area × (Circulation + Service + Reserve) ÷ 100
Anchor allocation = Anchor count × Area per anchor
Regular unit pool = Gross floor area − Shared deductions − Anchor allocation − Kiosk allocation
Area based count = Floor(Regular unit pool ÷ Target unit area)
Frontage based count = Floor(Available frontage ÷ Frontage per unit)
Recommended regular units = Lowest active limit from area, frontage, parking, and minimum size tests
How to use this calculator
- Enter the gross site area, coverage ratio, and total floor count.
- Add shared space allowances for circulation, service rooms, and reserve space.
- Define your target, minimum, and maximum regular unit areas.
- Enter frontage, parking, anchor, and kiosk assumptions if those constraints apply.
- Submit the form and review the count results displayed above.
- Export the result summary as CSV or PDF for reporting.
FAQs
1. What does this calculator estimate?
It estimates how many regular retail units can fit within a planned scheme after allowing for coverage, floors, shared circulation, service space, anchors, kiosks, frontage, and parking constraints.
2. Why is the recommended count lower than the area based count?
The recommendation uses the tightest active constraint. Frontage length, parking supply, or minimum shop size may reduce the feasible count even when enough area exists on paper.
3. Can I ignore frontage or parking limits?
Yes. Leave either related value at zero to make that limit inactive. The calculator then relies on the remaining active constraints for the final recommendation.
4. Should anchors be included in the regular unit count?
No. Anchor stores are deducted from available area first, then added back into the total tenant count. This keeps the regular shop estimate more realistic.
5. What is the regular unit pool?
It is the remaining leasable area after deducting common circulation, service space, reserve allowance, anchor stores, and kiosks from the gross floor area.
6. Why are minimum and maximum unit areas both needed?
They frame the practical range of layouts. Minimum area shows the highest possible small shop count, while maximum area shows a more spacious large shop scenario.
7. Can I use square metres instead of square feet?
Yes. Select the square metre option in the form. Keep all related area inputs in the same unit so the calculations stay consistent.
8. Is this suitable for final leasing documents?
No. It is best for concept planning, feasibility checks, and quick comparisons. Final leasing, code, and design decisions should still be verified by the project team.