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About 11% of U.S. office buildings could be suitable for green office-to-residential conversions

Office Buildings

About 11% of U.S. office buildings could be suitable for green office-to-residential conversions

Researchers developed model with traits that indicate financial viability for conversion


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor  | August 31, 2023
Photo: Pixels Pixabay - About 11% of U.S. office buildings could be suitable for green office-to-residential conversions
Photo: Pixels Pixabay

A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper from researchers at New York University and Columbia Business School indicates that about 11% of U.S. office buildings may be suitable for conversion to green multifamily properties.

According to a report at Globe St., the researchers created ā€œa set of criteria to identify commercial office properties that are physically suitable for conversion.ā€ The paper also discusses ā€œseveral policy levers available to federal, state, and local governments that could accelerate the conversion.ā€

The researchers identified candidates for conversion according to the following criteria:

  • Locations in a city with the strongest negative valuation pressures and with strong transportation options
  • Buildings constructed before 1990 that tend to be cheaper, have smaller floor plates, and are more charming, increasing conversion appeal
  • Class A, B, and C buildings that are underusedĀ 
  • Buildings at least 25,000 sf in size to ensure enough economies of scaleĀ 
  • Buildings with a distance from windows to core of more than 60 feet were excluded
  • Eliminated buildings with no or few long-term leases left

The researchers showed an example pro-forma for a 212,500 sf office building that would result in post-conversion rent of $8 per square foot as compared to a $3.50 post-pandemic rent if the property remained as an office building.

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