The pandemic was been a key driver for reimagining our relationship with the built environment and is presenting new opportunities across portfolios and sectors.
With a surplus of office space resulting from evolving workplace strategies, owners in conjunction with teams of developers, city planners, architects and engineers are actively managing a variety of complex conversions of these commercial building types into viable living spaces.
But not all office buildings are candidates for conversion. A feasibility study is required to assess the economic, aesthetic, environmental, structural, engineering and market viability for a successful conversion. Consideration must also be given to livable residential uses that range from apartment rentals and condos to affordable housing and hotels.
In this Insight Article, we provide our perspective on key drivers and considerations that are shaping the transformation of commercial office buildings to livable spaces based on our experience leading more than 20 completed, under construction and in-design projects in Canada, the US and UK.
1. Economic viability
The staying power of hybrid and remote work is presenting a real challenge for commercial office owners and developers. While the industry is managing a post-pandemic era, the reality remains that a percentage of existing office buildings are finding economic renewal in converting to livable or mixed-use spaces.
Eroding tax bases due to vacant office buildings can be a lightning rod for adaptive reuse in downtown cores. City planners and local municipalities often greenlight office conversions far faster than new builds to secure a stable tax base. Tax incentives for market-rate and affordable housing also contribute to the benefits of repurposing commercial space and offer developers more avenues to realize economic viability.
These measures help municipalities realize their ultimate goals of returning residents to the city’s most vibrant places. Activating dormant commercial neighbourhoods and reigniting downtown cores only happens with urban regeneration strategies and densification. Existing office buildings are often near transit hubs and retail centres, making them an attractive option for livable uses. Location is key and walkability is high on the list to command desirable units for future tenants.
While each region and municipality has planning approvals and guidelines for such conversions, most cities in North America, including Toronto and Calgary, are offering incentive programs to drive economic recovery in the core. These incentive programs vary based on specific goals.
The UK announced a provision through Class O Permitted Development Rights. This provision removes the requirement to make a formal planning application as development is automatically deemed approved, with the exception of listed buildings of historic interest. These projects are provided with a certificate of lawfulness, usually prior to development, which enables them to be funded or mortgaged, and work can progress in very short timeframes.
2. Environmental and carbon considerations
Converting existing office space to residential-type units often requires adapting existing plumbing, electrical, mechanical and building systems – and in some cases, an entirely new building envelope. Not only do these enhancements improve the energy performance of the existing building, but they help to lower the operational carbon over time, therefore reducing the carbon footprint of the building.
The carbon-reduction effect on the environment by repurposing rather than demolishing or rebuilding cannot be overstated. As architects and engineers, we have a great responsibility for a sustainable future. With aligned interests, a carbon emission analysis at the start of a project informs decisions to reduce both embodied and operational carbon. As energy costs increase in response to climate change the repurposing of existing structures begins to make greater economic sense.
3. Location, characteristics and structural integrity
The location of the target building will have a dramatic effect on its suitability for conversion. The neighboring infrastructure is critical to the initial selection of a suitable conversion.
Many office buildings are simply not suited for residential adaptation. Large commercial office floor plates (10,000 SF2 / 1000 SM2 or greater) result in lightless cores, outdated electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems – all contributing to a costly and exhaustive undertaking. These buildings may be suitable for other adaptive uses with more open floor plan characteristics. However, if development proformas pencil-out, creative solutions are available for most repositioning challenges. Often, smaller and older buildings offer more manageable space for conversions and come equipped with features like higher ceilings and larger windows that are highly desirable for residential use. Hotels are arguably even more appropriate for conversion to senior residences or affordable housing models.
Historically significant buildings may also be able to take advantage of preservation funding which will assist the economics of the conversion and add to the urban fabric of older neighborhoods.
Preparation and pre-analysis of the existing structure is imperative. Once the basics are understood it is a matter of building flexibility into the design layout, ensuring minimal shifts to the core to avoid compromising the structural integrity. Post tension structures can be particularly challenging as are several other systems including clay tile slabs and other older structures. An integrated design approach with a deep knowledge of the systems and understanding of the market conditions of residential planning metrics is paramount to a repositioning success.
Modern technologies like laser scanning and 3D point-cloud modeling mean a faster, less intrusive way to work with existing structures. As we continue to find new ways to repurpose buildings for multiple sectors, the lessons learned are transferable from each conversion project.
4. Market trends and social impact
Residential design excellence provides personalization and pride of place, and the flexibility for different living patterns and household demographics. Premium amenity spaces must be integrated using open areas with direct connections to circulation spaces (stairs, elevators, entrance lobbies, mailrooms, etc.). Fortunately, many older office buildings have amenity spaces that can easily be converted for residential users and may be conveniently located to other neighborhood amenities. This is very much about supporting and fortifying the idea of a 15-minute neighborhood as urban cores continue to repopulate creating livable, walkable, sustainable neighbourhoods.
It is incumbent of any conversion project to respect the adjacent neighbours, yet firmly establish itself with the ideals of its new identity, knitting itself into the existing architectural characters of the streetscape and surrounding fabric. Fostering diversity and inclusion of tenants and space types will support thriving micro-communities and evoke an excitement that will draw people in. Developments have not been without their controversy when space standards, amenities and quality of space are not properly considered. When approached responsibly, conversations can provide an answer to what to do with unoccupied buildings, how to reduce the use of embodied carbon and help provide a solution to the shortage of quality housing within our urban centers.
The conversion of commercial buildings can be viewed as filling the gap, or could be a trend that advances livable communities, but it is a reminder that flexibility is needed to respond to our evolving world. As long as the need for housing abounds, we all have accountability to investigate existing opportunities.
Source Renx.ca. Click here to read a full story
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Toronto Commercial Properties
Stephen & Mariya Lilly
Brokers
Office: 416-494-7653
Mariya Cell: 416-824-5078
Stephen Cell: 416-802-4228
Locations
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage
685 Sheppard Avenue East Suite 401, Toronto
Riverdale Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
630 Danforth Ave
Toronto, ON M4K 1R3
Office: (416) 462-1888
Fax: (416) 462-3135
Leslieville Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
785 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4M 1H5
Office: (416) 465-7850
Fax: (416) 463-7850
Bayview Village Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
685 Sheppard Avenue East
Suite 401
Toronto, ON
M2K 1B6
Office: (416) 494-7653
Fax: (416) 494-0016
The Beach Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
2277 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4E 1G5
Office: (416) 699-9292
Fax: (416) 699-8576
College Street Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
968 College Street
Toronto, ON
M6H 1A5
Office: (416) 531-9680
Fax: (416) 531-0154
Merton Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
170 Merton Street
Toronto, ON
M4S 1A1
Office: 416-486-5588
Fax: 416-486-6988
Richmond Hill Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
9555 Yonge Street, Suite 201
Richmond Hill, ON
L4C 9M5
Office: (905) 883-4922
Fax: (905) 883-1521
Newmarket Office
RE/MAX Hallmark York Group Realty Ltd.
25 Millard Ave West Unit B
Newmarket, ON
L3Y 7R5
Office: (905) 727-1941
Fax: (905) 841-6018
Ajax Office
RE/MAX Hallmark First Group Realty
314 Harwood Ave. South, Suite 200
Ajax, ON
L1S 2J1
Office: (905) 683-5000
Fax: (905) 619-2500
Pickering Office
RE/MAX Hallmark First Group Realty
1154 Kingston Road
Pickering, ON
L1V 1B4
Office: (905) 831-3300
Fax: (905) 831-8147
Whitby Office
RE/MAX Hallmark First Group Realty
304 Brock Street South, 2nd Floor
Whitby, ON
L1N 4K4
Office: (905) 668-3800
Fax: (905) 430-2550
Oakville Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
515 Dundas Street West
Oakville, ON
L6m 4M2
Office: 905-257-7500
Bayfield Head Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
152 Bayfield Street
Barrie, ON
L4M 3B5
Office: (705) 722-7100
Toll Free: (866) 606-2429
Fax: (705) 722-5246
Caplan Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
112 Caplan Avenue
Barrie, ON
L4N 9J2
Office: (705) 722-7100
Toll Free: (866) 606-2429
Fax: (705) 735-6980
Caplan Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
112 Caplan Avenue
Barrie, ON
L4N 9J2
Office: (705) 722-7100
Toll Free: (866) 606-2429
Fax: (705) 735-6980
Innisfil Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
2095 Thompson Street
Innisfil, ON
L9S 1T1
Office: (705) 431-7100
Toll Free: (888) 822-2606
Fax: (705) 431-7667
Alliston Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
20 Victoria St W Box 108
Alliston, ON
L9R 1T9
Office: (705) 435-5556
Toll Free: (866) 936-3500
Fax: (705) 435-5356
Tottenham Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
22 Queen St S Box 636
Tottenham, ON
L0G 1W0
Office: (905) 936-3500
Toll Free: (866) 936-3501
Fax: (905) 936-5356
Bradford WG Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
4-450 Holland Street
Bradford, ON
L0G 1W0
Office: (905) 778-0292
Toll Free: (866) 606-2429
Fax: (705) 722-5246
Innes Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
Unit# 200 4366 Innes Road
Ottawa, ON
K4A 3W3
Office: (613) 590-3000
Carling Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
Unit# 101 2255 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K2B 7Z5
Office: (613) 596-5353
Ottawa Downtown Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
344 O'Connor Street
Ottawa, ON
K2P 1W1
Office: (613) 563-1155
Ottawa Central Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1S 4E6
Office: (613) 236-5959
Kanata Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
700 Eagleson Road
Ottawa, ON
K2M 2G9
Office: (613) 663-2720
Fax: (613) 592-9701
Richmond Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
6159 Perth Street
Ottawa, ON
K0A 2Z0
Office: (613) 838-4040
Fax: (613) 596-4495
Greenbank Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
100-1073 Greenbank Rd
Ottawa, ON
K2J 4H8
Office: (613) 596-5353
Fax: (613) 596-4495
Ajax
513 Westney Road South
Ajax, ON
L1S 6W8Office: 905-683-5000
Fax: 905-619-2500
Alliston
20 Victoria St W Box 108
Alliston, ON
L9R 1T9Office: 705-435-5556
Fax: 705-435-5356
Angus
2 Summerset Place
Angus, ON
L0M 1B2Office: 705-424-7200
Fax: 705-424-6940
Re/Max Hallmark Trends Group Realty
15004 Yonge Street
Aurora, ON
L4G 1M6Office: 905-727-1941
Fax: 905-841-6018
Aurora
15004 Yonge Street
Aurora, ON
L4G 1M6Office: 905-727-1941
Fax: 905-841-6018
Re/Max Hallmark Lind Group Realty Ltd.
15105 Yonge Street
Aurora, ON
L4G 1M3Office: 905-841-0000
Fax: 905-727-2230
Re/Max Hallmark Peggy Hill Group Realty
374 Huronia Rd.
Barrie, ON
L4N 8Y9Office: 705-739-4455
Fax:
Bayfield
152 Bayfield Street
Barrie, ON
L4M 3B5Office: 705-722-7100
Fax: 705-722-5246
Caplan
112 Caplan Avenue
Barrie, ON
L4N 9J2Office: 705-722-7100
Fax: 705-735-6980
Chilton Team
152 Bayfield Street
Barrie, ON
L4M 3B5Office: 705-722-7100
Fax: 705-722-5246
Bradford WG
450 Holland Street Unit 4
Bradford, ON
L3Z 0G1Office: 905-778-0292
Fax: 705-722-5246
Innisfil
2095 Thompson Street
Innisfil, ON
L9S 1T1Office: 705-431-7100
Fax: 705-431-7667
Re/Max Hallmark Ciancio Group Realty
190 Main Street Suite 203
Markham, ON
L3R2G9Office: 647-247-6000
Fax: 647-429-6100
Bayview Village
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401
North York, ON
M2K 1B6Office: 416-494-7653
Fax: 416-494-0016
Innes
4366 Innes Road Suite 200
Ottawa, ON
K4A 3W3Office: 613-590-3000
Fax: 613-590-3050
Carling
2255 Carling Avenue Suite 101
Ottawa, ON
K2B 7Z5Office: 613-596-5353
Fax: 613-596-4495
O'Connor
344 O'Connor Street
Ottawa, ON
K2P 1W1Office: 613-563-1155
Fax: 613-563-8710
Bronson
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1S 4E6Office: 613-236-5959
Fax: 613-236-1515
Richmond
6159 Perth Street
Ottawa, ON
K0A 2Z0Office: 613-838-4040
Fax: 613-596-4495
Greenbank
100-1073 Greenbank Rd
Ottawa, ON
K2J 4H8Office: 613-596-5353
Fax: 613-596-4495
Kanata
105-700 Eagleson Rd.
Ottawa, ON
K2M 2G9Office: 613-663-2720
Fax: 613-592-9701
RE/MAX Hallmark Pilon Group Realty
4366 Innes Road Suite 200
Ottawa, ON
K4A 3W3Office: 613-909-8100
Fax: 613-590-3079
RE/MAX Hallmark Jenna & Co. Group Realty
2255 Carling Avenue, Suite 101A
Ottawa, ON
K2B 7Z5Office: 613-596-4300
Fax: 613-596-4495
Re/Max Hallmark Jacki Lam Group Realty
1154 Kingston Road
Pickering, ON
L1V 1B4Office: (905) 831-3300
Fax: (905) 831-8147
Pickering
1154 Kingston Road
Pickering, ON
L1V 1B4Office: 905-831-3300
Fax: 905-831-8147
Richmond Hill
9555 Yonge Street, Suite 201
Richmond Hill, ON
L4C 9M5Office: 905-883-4922
Fax: 905-883-1521
Riverdale
724 Pape Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4K 3S7Office: 416-462-1888
Fax: 416-464-3135
The Beach
2277 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4E 1G1Office: 416-699-9292
Fax: 416-699-8576
Yonge
3434 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M4N 2M9Office: 416-489-3434
Fax: 416-489-5445
College
968 College Street
Toronto, ON
M6H 1A5Office: 416-531-9680
Fax: 416-531-0154
Mount Pleasant
723 Mount Pleasant Road
Toronto, ON
M4S 2N4Office: 416-486-5588
Fax: 416-486-6988
Leslieville
785 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4M 1H5Office: 416-465-7850
Fax: 416-463-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Batori Group Inc.
357 Eglinton Ave W
Toronto, ON
M5N1A3Office: 416-485-7575
Fax: 416-484-4448
Re/Max Hallmark Ari Zadegan Group Realty
3434 Yonge Street Suite 101
Toronto, ON
M4N2N9Office: 416-489-4287
Fax: 416-352-0118
Re/Max Hallmark Estate Group Realty Ltd
2277 Queen Street East Suite A
Toronto, ON
M4E1G5Office: 416-699-2992
Fax: 416-699-8576
Re/Max Hallmark Bibby Group Realty
723 Mount Pleasant Road Suite 105
Toronto, ON
M4S2N4Office: 416-481-0888
Fax: 416-486-6988
Re/Max Hallmark Corbo & Kelos Group Realty Ltd
785 Queen St. East Suite 301
Toronto, ON
M4M1H5Office: 416-462-4787
Fax: 416-463-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Elite Group Realty
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401-11
Toronto, ON
M2K1B6Office: 416-494-8557
Fax: 416-494-7653
Re/Max Hallmark Emerson Group Realty Ltd
2277 Queen Street East Suite 104
Toronto, ON
M4E1G5Office: 416-690-2727
Fax: 416-699-8576
Re/Max Hallmark Francis Group Realty
785 Queen St. East Suite 7
Toronto, ON
M4M1H5Office: 416-466-1888
Fax: 416-463-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Fraser Group Realty
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401-47
Toronto, ON
M2K1B6Office: 416-494-7686
Fax: 416-494-0016
Re/Max Hallmark Joy Verde Group Realty
723 Mount Pleasant Road Suite 104
Toronto, ON
M4S2N4Office: 416-481-5666
Fax: 416-486-6988
Re/Max Hallmark Kathy McLachlan Group Realty Ltd
723 Mount Pleasant Road Suite 103
Toronto, ON
M4S2N4Office: 416-486-6565
Fax:
Re/Max Hallmark Montano Group Realty
785 Queen St. East Suite 201
Toronto, ON
M4M1H5Office: 416-424-3038
Fax: 416-465-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Pierre Carapetian Group Realty
785 Queen St. East
Toronto, ON
M4M1H5Office: 416-424-3434
Fax: 416-465-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Richards Group Realty Ltd
2241 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4E1G1Office: 416-699-0303
Fax: 416-699-8576
Re/Max Hallmark Yu Group Realty Ltd
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401-19
Toronto, ON
M2K1B6Office: 416-494-9858
Fax: 416-494-0016
Muskoka
C/O Yonge St. Office (3434 Yonge Street)
Toronto, ON
M4N 2M9Office: 416-489-3434
Fax: 416-489-5445
Re/Max Hallmark Jamie Dempster Group Realty
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401
Toronto, ON
M2K1B6Office: (416) 494-7653
Fax: (416) 494-0016
Tottenham
22 Queen St S Box 636
Tottenham, ON
L0G 1W0Office: 905-936-3500
Fax: 905-936-5356
Re/Max Hallmark Lino Arci Group Realty
3420 Major Mackenzie Dr Suite 103
Vaughan, ON
L4H4J6Office: 416-479-1550
Fax: 416-913-2044
Whitby
304 Brock Street South
Whitby, ON
L1N 4K4Office: 905-668-3800
Fax: 905-430-2550
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