These Cities Could Be Good Candidates for Adaptive Reuse

Policy makers are exploring the renovation of empty office buildings into affordable housing to address the housing shortage and revitalize downtown areas. However, every city’s policies are different, making some areas better candidates for adaptive reuse than others. According to Route Fifty, adaptive reuse is most feasible in Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco, San Mateo, Calif., and Seattle. While many other areas of California could also benefit from adaptive reuse, actual activity in the state remains limited.

That’s because housing development in California faces a whole host of rules and regulations that stymie progress, a challenge that rings true for other U.S. cities too. There are currently an estimated 58,000 housing units being developed from former office buildings across the country, but the growing number of conversions could face unnecessary burdens without legislative action that encourages adaptive reuse. 

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