Pop-ups and experiential builds have acquired a reputation for being throwaway work largely because most general contractors treat them that way, but the brands we find ourselves most often working with want the opposite — they want a temporary location finished to the same standard as their permanent stores, on a compressed thirty-to-ninety-day schedule, with the option to convert directly into a permanent lease at the same address if the operating numbers come in strong enough to justify it.
What we deliver against the contract.
- 30–90 day activations with permanent-grade finish levels
- Experiential build coordination — AV, programmable lighting, interactive fixtures
- Pop-up-to-permanent transition planning
- Compressed-schedule permit strategy where the lease allows
- Rapid teardown and landlord turnover
Three phases. Same on every program.
Compressed-schedule design
Brand kickoff to opening typically 30–60 days. Design, permitting and construction overlap. Site decisions are made on a 48-hour cycle.
Permit-light delivery
Where the scope qualifies (no MEP, no structural, low occupancy load), we use minor-work filings or interior decoration filings to compress the permit window.
Conversion planning
Where the brand intends to convert to permanent, the pop-up is built with the permanent permit application running in parallel.
What pop-up programs typically cost and take
The questions buyers ask in the first call.
Can you build a pop-up that converts to permanent?
Yes — and it's the conversation we'd rather have. Building a pop-up with the permanent permit application running in parallel means a successful test can roll directly into a 5- or 10-year lease without rework.
Do landlords allow permit-light filings?
It depends on the AHJ and the scope. NYC and LA generally allow it for very limited-scope interior decoration. Most other markets require a full TI filing even for short-lease scope.
What's the smallest pop-up you'll take?
We typically don't take below ~$80K total build value. The fixed program management cost dominates below that — a local installer is a better match.
Want a defensible read on what this looks like for your program?
Tell us about the program. We'll come back with a one-page scoping memo inside two business days.