<p>The construction industry lacks sophisticated decision-support systems for comparing digital, physical, and hybrid space alternatives within unified circular economy (CE) evaluation criteria. This study introduces the Circular Development Score (CDS), a novel quantitative assessment framework for evaluating space solution circularity during Inception and Feasibility &amp; Planning stages. CDS integrates eight CE R-principles (Refuse, Rethink, Reuse, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Reduce, Renew, Replace) through sixteen quantitative indicators using hesitant fuzzy multi-criteria decision analysis. Expert weights were derived from ten professionals across construction, sustainability, and real estate sectors. Application to three science park case studies demonstrates significant discriminatory power: No-building solutions achieved highest circularity (CDS = 93), followed by Old-building solutions (CDS = 65), and New-building solutions (CDS = 27). Digital solutions achieve 244% higher circularity scores than conventional new construction, challenging traditional building-centric approaches. CDS addresses three critical gaps: systematic digital-physical space comparison, early-stage assessment during optimal decision-making windows, and comprehensive CE principles integration. The framework provides construction industry practitioners with the first quantitative tool for early-stage CE decision support, enabling evidence-based transitions from linear to circular space provision strategies.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>