As record-high office vacancies persist in U.S. urban areas, cities are rethinking zoning policy.
More cities are modifying single-use downtown zoning to encourage office conversions to multifamily and mixed-use developments. And with good reason, as mixed-use neighborhoods on average have weathered pandemic shutdowns better than single-use business districts.
With most downtown-based workers embracing work-from-home options, the conception of office-only city districts that go vacant at night may be outmoded. In Washington D.C., for example, a record office vacancy rate of more than 18% has fueled a trend of office-to-apartment conversions.
Officials in D.C. and New York City are debating zoning changes to spur more of these conversions. New York officials are particularly focused on the mid-town Manhattan office district, though many towers targeted for conversion in that area were built in the 1960s. These buildings, with most of the square footage configured on large floor plates inside windowless building cores, make for a significant design challenge to convert them to residential use.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Aug 7, 2018
International Fire Safety Standards (IFSS) Coalition created
Professional associations and building standards organizations join forces.
Codes and Standards | Jul 31, 2018
Workers allegedly held in captivity by construction subcontractor in San Jose pay theft case
Contractor pays $250,000 in back wages in Dept. of Labor enforcement action.
Codes and Standards | Jul 17, 2018
Heat island effect can turn deadly in extreme conditions
Of all the impacts of global climate change, it’s extreme heat that kills more Americans each year than any other weather-related event.
Codes and Standards | Jul 17, 2018
NIMBYism, generational divide threaten plan for net-zero village in St. Paul, Minn.
The ambitious redevelopment proposal for a former Ford automotive plant creates tension.
Codes and Standards | Jul 17, 2018
In many markets, green features are more of a requirement for apartment renters
Renters in many U.S. cities have come to expect green features in apartments that they rent, with an eye toward energy efficiency and healthy indoor air.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2018
Length of North American construction disputes continues to increase
They already far exceed global average.
Codes and Standards | Jul 12, 2018
Developer says net zero Salt Lake City apartment high-rise built at standard cost
Off-site solar, and mechanical/electrical system savings aid the achievement.
Codes and Standards | Jul 11, 2018
D.C. local worker requirement not being met
Government doing little to verify self-reported project data.
Codes and Standards | Jul 10, 2018
Carbon emissions in cement production threaten GHG reduction goals
Cement is essential to many infrastructure projects that address climate change.
Codes and Standards | Jul 10, 2018
DOE’s Better Buildings Summit to be held in Cleveland, August 21-23
Agenda includes technical training and networking opportunities.