With the ever-changing demand for types of real estate spaces, the conversion of existing commercial projects to residential spaces is not new. Whether it’s a conversion from an industrial space especially in older cities, or as we’ve seen more recently, from an office space in burgeoning mid-size cities, the process can be cost-prohibitive and challenging. As the spaces available for conversion are more frequently becoming aged buildings that aren’t as inherently attractive to potential tenants, the panel of experts from this session shared insights into the realities of taking on these projects and factors at play for the most viable and cost-effective conversions.  

Ian Levine, Co-Founder of Spandrel Development Partners, LLC, highlighted how conversions can change the urban fabric of the communities they’re in. Looking at New York City projects such as the entire redevelopment of One Brooklyn Bridge Park and Tower 270 Condos, Levine stressed the importance of being creative to adapt existing building characteristics and working with the right marketing teams to communicate the possibilities. Whether it involves interior space from unused elevators into unique amenity spaces for each floor or creating interesting floor plan configurations to make the best use of light and air already allowed by the building’s structure, Levine emphasized how much of conversion work is problem-solving. Restrictions of the existing structure require you to work backward toward your outcome but allow for creativity.  

Scott Garvin, President of Garvin Design Group, similarly remarked on the importance of following clues from the existing building and taking advantage of those features. Garvin shared how this type of thinking led to success in Columbia, SC-based projects such as the Rosewood Church Apartments, where the church’s sanctuary space was used to create loft apartments, or Gadsden Place, where the team carved out more space for additional units using an existing basement to maximize a smaller property. Garvin also emphasized how essential it is to work closely with the city officials early on, to ensure you have a clear picture of code requirements and can work collaboratively to develop solutions. This type of collaboration is particularly key when working on historic conversions, such as the PMC Properties, where there were limitations on what could be structurally changed about the former cotton mill.  

Toygun Mar, Principal at SK+I Architecture, shared insights from a designer’s perspective, based on his experiences not only with previously industrial projects such as Foundry Lofts and Union Row in DC but also with office conversions such as Brooklyn and Church in Charlotte and Upton Place in DC. According to Mar, across all types of conversion projects, the key elements to consider are the basics of the space’s construction like floor-to-floor and floor-to-ceiling heights, and the availability of natural light and air. Depending on the construction type and age of the existing building, the calculation changes. While spaces such as former churches and warehouses have unique architectural details you may preserve, for office space conversions like Brooklyn and Church, the items you want to preserve are different; maintenance elements you can salvage, repurpose, and bring up to code become more vital to overall cost-effectiveness.  

No matter the project, building the right team and working collaboratively to problem solve ultimately contribute the most to a project’s success. As the focus of conversion opportunities shifts to the “Cubicle Belt,” creating a sense of place that didn’t previously exist will be an ever-increasing component of long-term success in communities.