Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.
Such projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.
Some states are trying to make office-to-housing conversions more attractive options for those willing to invest in them. Remedies include waiving development impact fees, introducing tax incentives, and streamlining zoning changes to spur conversions.
With the national office vacancy rate at 17.1%, close to a 30-year high, and much higher in some locations, officials see an opportunity to revitalize downtowns by adding badly needed housing through conversions. That goal is resulting in targeted legislation.
One example: a Democratic legislator in Oregon is proposing a bill that would require local governments to waive most impact fees to reduce the cost of conversions. Impact fees typically go toward water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure. This shows that some lawmakers support office-to-residential conversions strongly enough to sacrifice impact fee income.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Dec 4, 2019
9 tips on creating places of respite and reflection
We talked to six veteran landscape architects about how to incorporate gardens and quiet spaces into multifamily communities.
| Nov 20, 2019
ClosetMaid to celebrate 55 years in business at the 2020 NAHB International Builders Show
Company to celebrate 55 years in storage and organization with a visit by celebrity guest Anthony Carrino.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 20, 2019
Over 400 micro units spread across two communities under development in Austin
Transwestern is developing the projects.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 14, 2019
U.S. multifamily market stays strong into 4th quarter 2019
October performance sets a record amid rising political pressure to cap rent growth, reports Yardi Matrix.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 8, 2019
The Peloton Wars, Part III - More alternatives for apartment building owners
ProForm Studio Bike Pro review.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 7, 2019
Multifamily construction market remains strong heading into 2020
Fewer than one in 10 AEC firms doing multifamily work reported a decrease in proposal activity in Q3 2019, according to a PSMJ report.
| Nov 6, 2019
Solomon Cordwell Buenz opens Seattle office, headed by Nolan Sit
National design firm brings residential high-rise expertise to the Pacific Northwest
| Nov 6, 2019
Passive House senior high-rise uses structural thermal breaks to insulate steel penetrations
Built to International Passive House standards, the Corona Senior Residence in Queens, N.Y., prevents thermal bridging between interior and exterior steel structures by insulating canopies and rooftop supports where they penetrate the building envelope.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 5, 2019
The Collective Paper Factory is the co-living company’s first U.S. location
The building offers a stay model ranging from one night to 29 days.
