I keep hearing that empty office buildings are an economic time bomb. I keep hearing that housing inventory is low which is why house prices are high. Why can’t we convert offices to homes?

Question

I keep hearing that empty office buildings are an economic time bomb. I keep hearing that housing inventory is low which is why house prices are high. Why can’t we convert offices to homes?

In: 4298

Answer 1

There is a great article about this in the New York Times, but the short answer is “light”.

Modern office buildings are designed to conform to the land they are built on and maximize floor space, knowing that the windows will be unopenable glass and there will be artificial light and HVAC, all of which would have to be changed.

But *old* office buildings are a lot easier to convert. They were designed in a time when the windows had to be opened for airflow and natural light, so all the windows and walls are already placed well for living spaces.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/03/11/upshot/office-conversions.html