So You Want to Turn an Office Building into a Home?

This is an excellent article, but I feel like the problem is just that we've set these arbitrary standards for living space, and now it's hard to meet them. Why not flex on them?

For example, do bedrooms really need windows? As someone who's a light sleeper and a fan of blackout curtains, I'd actually appreciate a lot less natural light.

While the cost of conversion is prohibitive and needs various incentives and easing zoning standards before it can become affordable. In addition outside of manhattan the market for high end apartment is likely already met.

There is an additional issue at play. Both the building owner and city/state officials are clinging to the hope of return to office. Its just more profitable both for the building owner to rent commercially and the city/state to pocket the resulting sales and property taxes commercial entities and the economic activity they further spur. (Neighboring businesses that cater to lunch for office staff generate more sales tax than an apartment building pays in property tax).

Great article.

Having built out many a millions of square feet office/health spaces - there are a lot of issues with conversion of an office building to housing, namely plumbing. (lack of said plumbing) and I would assume the addition of plumbing and electrical utils to support bath/shower/stoves/fridges will result in the electrical closets being too small - plus individually billing for sewar, water, electrical, and no gas for heating - so the plenums will be a nightmare for HVAC etc...

A big mention is windows that open for cooking; not sure that it matters when only 50% of Americans cook at home

> About 36% of Americans cook at home on a daily basis. According to the additional home cooking statistics, roughly half of Americans cook their meals 3–6 days weekly.

If you move cooking to a common area or floor, you solve the ventilation, drainage, and boost unit square footage by way at least 100.