For commercial real estate investors, relying solely on traditional two-dimensional renderings of a property to decide whether they want to add it to their portfolio means taking a gamble that what they don’t see won’t hurt them. 

While these renderings can offer a glimpse of the condition of a building, they have their limitations. Instead, investors can get a clearer, more comprehensive picture of what a completed property will look like through computer-generated 3D interactive experiences.

3DUS, a CGI and design studio, leverages technologies such as 3D renderings, 3D animation and virtual reality to create visual experiences that highlight a property’s features in greater detail than standard renderings. 

3DUS Chief Creative Officer Juan Luque said these technologies allow potential owners and investors to better visualize their properties while helping developers design them and make enhancements before breaking ground on construction. 

“This increased visual appeal captures clients’ attention more effectively, leading to higher engagement and greater interest in the property,” Luque said. “Providing a more realistic portrayal of what the completed project will look like also reduces uncertainty and boosts confidence among stakeholders.”

To provide a more enhanced viewing experience, 3DUS created a web-based application called RESA — or Real Estate Sales App. RESA provides a 3D visual representation of what a property and its interior will look like once it’s built and consolidates property information in one place, helping developers and CRE professionals with marketing their properties.

The app offers a 360-degree view into the building’s exterior and interior, allowing investors to virtually tour the unit in 3D as if they are walking through it in person. They can also simultaneously access details about the unit’s square footage, the number of rooms and bathrooms, which amenities are included in the building and the specific units available. 

Luque said the initial idea for RESA came about when 3DUS discovered a challenge that developers were facing: They were putting a lot of money toward creating renderings and animations but lacked a way to present them to clients properly. 

The team started by experimenting with software that compiled the images and information about the property onto one platform, he said. After trying out different models, they decided that creating a web application that could present properties in 3D using HTML code would be the best fit for developers’ needs. 

Luque referred to RESA as a “digital and portable showroom.” 

“RESA streamlines the sales process and effectively engages potential buyers,” Luque said. “Clients benefit from an intuitive interface that allows them to explore properties in-depth, facilitating informed decision-making about their future homes.”

RESA can showcase projects in the multifamily sector as well as offices, branded residences, mixed-use buildings and other CRE assets. It can be accessed on a desktop computer, a smartphone or a tablet, and information can be obtained quickly through the app’s fast loading time. 

Vista Cay at Shell Point, a senior living community offering upscale housing, leveraged RESA to provide CRE professionals and investors with a 3D tour of its Fort Myers, Florida, location. Luque said that after utilizing the app for about half a month, Vista Cay sold 45% of its available units.

“The Vista Cay 3D visualization site has helped Shell Point turn two-dimensional plans into vivid, personalized experiences where future residents can envision the lifestyle they’re investing in, thereby easing their decision-making process," Shell Point Creative Director Rich Cerrina said.

3DUS’s goals include continuing to optimize the app by adding virtual reality features as well as additional resources for marketing.

“RESA organizes projects and improves presentations, helping clients visualize their dream homes down to the last detail,” Luque said. “With smart planning, simple navigation and virtual reality, we aim to deliver an unparalleled experience.”

Developers who are interested in learning more about how RESA can help their next project can connect with the 3DUS team.

This article was produced in collaboration between Studio B and 3DUS. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.