World Demolish or redevelop?

In the face of the housing crisis, the possibility of repurposing existing commercial buildings for residential use is receiving increasing attention. The question is: can this approach provide a solution to the housing shortage in appropriate locations, and can it be profitable for developers?

In a comprehensive report, “Behind the Façade”, they analyse the cases of 30 conversions that have taken place in the U.S. in recent years. Their market observations suggest that such conversions have the potential to significantly impact the use of real estate. This is especially true for older B/C office buildings that are becoming functionally obsolete. The pandemic has accelerated this trend, driven by changing work patterns and the fact that overall post-pandemic demand for office space is lower than in the past and more concentrated in newer facilities.

A similar fate is facing older malls, which are losing ground in the era of online shopping. The explosive growth of online sales is negatively impacting old traditional retail formats that do not meet today's consumer expectations. The hotel segment is no different, where older properties may not meet the evolving needs of travellers.

At the heart of the report is an examination of the challenges faced by aging structures in the face of changing consumer preferences and technological advances. From 'right-sizing' struggles in retail and hotels to the inadequate adaptation of older industrial structures to modern demands, the report presents successful conversion as a solution not only to address housing shortages, but also to breathe new life into communities.
Anita Kramer, senior vice president, ULI Center for Real Estate Economics and Capital Markets

Other factors in favour of adaptive reuse include faster turnaround times for such developments, less paperwork, and profits for developers. Most developers surveyed by the ULI reported that their financial expectations for the project were met, and some even said they exceeded their original expectations.

A key element that was highlighted as a financial benefit was the speed of conversion compared to the traditional construction process. Digging a hole, pouring concrete is slow. Six to 10 months can be saved if the sequencing of the conversion work is done correctly.

Repurposing buildings that have outlived their usefulness as commercial real estate is a trend spreading beyond the United States. European cities are also looking to repurpose run-down buildings, with residential use being one of the most desirable options encouraged by city officials.

After more than 30 years of new construction, some commercial buildings in Poland no longer meet modern requirements, which will only become more stringent as climate policies are introduced. Some developers investing in older buildings are simply opting to demolish them to unlock the potential of the land and build from scratch. Others, however, are choosing to bring commercial buildings a dozen or more years old up to modern standards. This does not always mean changing their use to residential. Office buildings are being renovated and equipped with newer facilities or adapted for other public functions, such as the Hop and Diuna office buildings in Warsaw. However, there are new projects with plans to change their function to apartments, either for sale or for rent.

The stock of obsolete commercial buildings is growing every year, and changing economic conditions and user habits raise questions about the future of such structures. The environmental aspect is not unimportant either, as it is less polluting to adapt an existing building than to demolish it and build a new one. A possible and desirable solution could be to adapt such structures for residential use. Of course, this involves legal and technical challenges, but the experience of foreign companies shows that it is a profitable process. In addition to the developer, the community benefits – thanks to an expanding housing stock and reduced urban sprawl on the periphery – as well as the environment, which is not burdened with additional emissions. It is worth remembering that new construction accounts for about 11 pct of global CO2 emissions. As the Polish real estate market continues to mature, we will see more and more investment in redevelopment.
Marcin Juszczyk, chair of the Urban Land Institute in Poland

An in-depth discussion of the Behind the Facade report and the future of dilapidated commercial buildings took place during the ULI Poland Places + Spaces expert meeting "The Future of Buildings: Convert or Tear Down."