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
My company is actually doing just that.
We have 2 30-story buildings, they are over half empty now because of homeworking.
So the buildings are being completely stripped and they are going to make it into a combo condos/offices.
We’re moving out in the next months and it’s going to take about 4 years before it’s done.
So it’s possible, but it’s not easy and it’s very expensive…
Before: [https://images.skyscrapercenter.com/building/belgacomtowers_tom-dhaenens_main_-0.jpg](https://images.skyscrapercenter.com/building/belgacomtowers_tom-dhaenens_main_-0.jpg)
After: https://api.brusselstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/663353cc-anm_225_proximus_tower_1585_ph05_id_05_4-1024×770.jpg
There’s one in MN called cloud 9. Super high HOA costs around $1000/month. Seems like they are always up for sale.
These are more luxury focused so I may be off topic
Literally just listened to a podcast explaining this.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/99-invisible/id394775318?i=1000626136081
Because those stats are bullshit.
Sixteen million homes currently sit vacant across the U.S. In every state across the country, many homes remain empty while hundreds of thousands of Americans face homelessness.
In December of 2022, HUD calculated that 582,462 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States and its territories.
Wanna know what the problem is… The greedy bourgeoisie and the distracted proletariats.
But eventually, we’ll play like it’s May 1, 1886 in Haymarket, and we might get a living wage in the end.
But (*looks around* *shakes head with disgust*) i REALLY fucking doubt it.
Edit: Cause fuckers aren’t only distracted, but lazy … can’t get off their ass to help themselves… well, lEt mE gOoGlE tHaT fOr YoU: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_affair
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
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