flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
Currently Reading

Converting office buildings to apartments is cheaper, greener than building new

Converting office buildings to apartments is cheaper, greener than building new

Trend evident in Dallas, Houston, New York, and Salt Lake City.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | September 2, 2022
Converting office buildings
Courtesy Pexels.

Converting office buildings to apartments is cheaper and greener than tearing down old office properties and building new residential buildings.

That may explain why several developers in some large cities have acquired office properties to convert to residential use. It’s a trend that could gain momentum in a post-pandemic environment where vacancies in office towers are on the rise and the prospects for leasing them are not good.

Office towers have advantages for residential conversions. Among them: adequate electricity  and plumbing infrastructure, and comfortable ceiling heights for apartments.

Developers in cities including Dallas, Houston, New York, and Salt Lake City have announced office-to-apartment conversions. Most office properties can be converted for residential use, developers say.

Related Stories

Legislation | Mar 24, 2023

New York lawmakers set sights on unsafe lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters

Lawmakers in New York City and statewide have moved to quell the growing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters.

Government Buildings | Mar 24, 2023

19 federal buildings named GSA Design Awards winners

After a six-year hiatus, the U.S. General Services Administration late last year resumed its esteemed GSA Design Awards program. In all, 19 federal building projects nationwide were honored with 2022 GSA Design Awards, eight with Honor Awards and 11 with Citations.

Office Buildings | Mar 20, 2023

Untraditional ‘Back To Work’ survey results for designers' insights

SMMA shares the results of its "Back To Work" survey, with respondents from multiple industries weighing in on return-to-office pros and cons. 

Mass Timber | Mar 19, 2023

A 100% mass timber construction project is under way in North Carolina

An office building 100% made from mass timber has started construction within the Live Oak Bank campus in Wilmington, N.C. The 67,000-sf structure, a joint building venture between the GCs Swinerton and Wilmington-headquartered Monteith Construction, is scheduled for completion in early 2024.

Urban Planning | Mar 16, 2023

Three interconnected solutions for 'saving' urban centers

Gensler Co-CEO Andy Cohen explores how the global pandemic affected city life, and gives three solutions for revitalizing these urban centers.

Sponsored | Cladding and Facade Systems | Mar 15, 2023

Metal cladding trends and innovations

Metal cladding is on a growth trajectory globally. This is reflected in rising demand for rainscreen cladding and architectural metal coatings. This course covers the latest trends and innovations in the metal cladding market. 

Mixed-Use | Mar 11, 2023

Austin mixed-use development will provide two million sf of office, retail, and residential space 

In Austin, Texas, the seven-building East Riverside Gateway complex will provide a mixed-use community next to the city’s planned Blue Line light rail, which will connect the Austin Bergstrom International Airport with downtown Austin. Planned and designed by Steinberg Hart, the development will include over 2 million sf of office, retail, and residential space, as well as amenities, such as a large park, that are intended to draw tech workers and young families. 

Architects | Mar 8, 2023

Is Zoom zapping your zip? Here are two strategies to help creative teams do their best work

Collaborating virtually requires a person to filter out the periphery of their field of vision and focus on the glow of the screen. Zoom fatigue is a well-documented result of our over-reliance on one method of communication to work. We need time for focus work but working in isolation limits creative outcomes and innovations that come from in-person collaboration, write GBBN's Eric Puryear, AIA, and Mandy Woltjer.

Green Renovation | Mar 5, 2023

Dept. of Energy offers $22 million for energy efficiency and building electrification upgrades

The Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy is offering more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to teams across America. Prize recipients will be selected based on their ideas to accelerate widespread, equitable energy efficiency and building electrification upgrades.

Sustainability | Mar 2, 2023

The next steps for a sustainable, decarbonized future

For building owners and developers, the push to net zero energy and carbon neutrality is no longer an academic discussion.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021

 



Magazine Subscription
Subscribe

Get our Newsletters

Each day, our editors assemble the latest breaking industry news, hottest trends, and most relevant research, delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe

Follow BD+C: