Data vs. a feasibility answer: RunEnvelope vs. PropertyShark
PropertyShark is the reference database for NYC property records, ownership, sales, comps, permits, and zoning fields on every lot. RunEnvelope is built for the next question: given that data, what can actually be built here?
PropertyShark tells you what a property is. RunEnvelope tells you what it can become, running the zoning to an as-of-right FAR, a 3D massing and per-floor sketch plans, each figure cited to the Zoning Resolution. They’re complements as often as alternatives: many users pull records in PropertyShark and run the feasibility in RunEnvelope.
Feature by feature.
| Capability | RunEnvelope | PropertyShark |
|---|---|---|
| Raw zoning fields (district, FAR limits) | RunEnvelopeYES | PropertySharkYES |
| As-of-right buildable SF calculated | RunEnvelopeYES | PropertySharkNO |
| 3D massing model | RunEnvelopeYES | PropertySharkNO |
| Typical-floor sketch plans & unit mix | RunEnvelopeYES | PropertySharkNO |
| City of Yes programs integrated | RunEnvelopeYES | PropertySharkNO |
| Coverage beyond NYC | RunEnvelopeNYC-focused | PropertySharkMulti-market |
Sources Based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Features change; verify current capabilities with each vendor.
Where each one wins.
Where RunEnvelope wins
- ■Actually computes the answer: as-of-right FAR, buildable square footage, and a compliant massing, not just the raw zoning fields.
- ■3D massing with typical-floor sketch plans and a unit mix an architect can react to.
- ■Every figure cited to the Zoning Resolution section that produced it.
- ■City of Yes and 48+ programs evaluated automatically on every lot.
- ■A single report for $149 instead of a data subscription.
Where PropertyShark is stronger
- ■The deepest, most complete NYC public-records database, with long history and 100% NYC coverage.
- ■Coverage across many U.S. markets, not just NYC.
- ■The go-to for pulling ownership, sales, and permit records fast.
- ■Backed by Yardi, with a large, established professional user base.
Frequently asked.
Is RunEnvelope a PropertyShark alternative?
For development feasibility, yes. PropertyShark is a property-records database; RunEnvelope uses that kind of data to produce an as-of-right feasibility study with FAR, 3D massing and sketch plans. Many users treat them as complements: records in PropertyShark, feasibility in RunEnvelope.
Does PropertyShark calculate buildable square footage?
PropertyShark surfaces zoning fields (district, FAR limits, lot area) but is primarily a records and comps database. RunEnvelope computes the as-of-right buildable floor area, applies bulk and yard rules, and renders the resulting massing.
Which should I use for a NYC development site?
Use PropertyShark to research ownership, sales, and permit history; use RunEnvelope to determine what can be built and how it masses. RunEnvelope’s single-report option ($149, no subscription) makes it easy to run a feasibility check on a specific lot.
Does RunEnvelope cover markets outside NYC?
RunEnvelope is purpose-built for the NYC Zoning Resolution, which is why its feasibility output is architect-grade. PropertyShark covers multiple U.S. markets for records data.
See what RunEnvelope shows on your lot.
An architect-grade zoning study: as-of-right FAR, 3D massing, per-floor sketch plans and a Zoning Resolution citation on every figure. One report from $149, no subscription.