[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-24px||false|false” custom_padding=”55px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Real Estate 101″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjcyMiJ9fQ==@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Buy” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE2MzIifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” _module_preset=”default” module_text_color=”#686E6E” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][\/wahi_breadcrumb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”16px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”3.5rem” header_line_height=”4.5rem” header_font_size_tablet=”42px” header_font_size_phone=”2rem” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”4.5rem” header_line_height_phone=”2.75rem” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_socialsharing _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_socialsharing][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
While vacancy rates for Toronto<\/a> offices remain way above pre-pandemic levels, some see potential to create more homes in empty workplaces.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” custom_margin=”||11px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n By Josh Sherman<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>| 4 minute read<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” date_format=”M j” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||17px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”src” _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||29px|||” border_radii=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_tablet=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_phone=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_radii_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.13rem” text_line_height=”1.75rem” custom_margin=”-18px||2px|||” custom_padding=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|15px|7px|15px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”1.13rem” text_font_size_phone=”0.9rem” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Empty post-pandemic offices can present opportunities to create new housing, but the costs of converting workplaces into residential units can quickly add up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||39px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”16px||16px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n As millions of square feet of office space<\/a> sits empty in Toronto due to remote- and hybrid-employment arrangements in the post-pandemic era, some in the real estate industry are speculating that the city\u2019s vacant workplaces could be transformed into much-needed apartments.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, more research is highlighting the idea\u2019s potential \u2014 as well as its very real limitations.<\/p>\n \u201cThis provides an opportunity for change and transformation,\u201d says Sheila Botting, president of Americas professional services at Avison Young, a commercial real estate company, noting the upsides of office-to-residential conversions which have become more commonplace in cities like New York City<\/a> and Chicago<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#edf7f3″ custom_padding=”32px||32px||true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||25px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”2.63rem” header_2_line_height=”3.75rem” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”27px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”32px” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”11px||14px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n To gauge conversion potential, Botting, together with Scott Pickles, principal and senior vice-president for consulting services in Canada at Avison Young, recently took stock of more than 26,000 office buildings across 14 major North American cities, including Toronto. The criteria for flagging possible conversion candidates was simple. First, the buildings had to have footprints of less than 15,000 square feet. \u201cIt allows you to have decent depth between the core where the elevators are and the windows so you don\u2019t have buildings where you\u2019re living in a tube \u2014 that\u2019s one big consideration,\u201d Botting tells Wahi. And second, they needed to be built before 1990: \u201cThose that are older than 1990 typically would be ready for somebody to take a look at them,\u201d she adds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Although the proposal may inspire enthusiasm for not only putting neglected space to better use but also potentially boosting Toronto\u2019s housing supply \u2014 and doing so amid an ongoing affordability crisis \u2014 the Avison Young research, published in a recent report<\/a>, provides something of a reality check. According to the researchers\u2019 findings, roughly one third (923) of the city\u2019s office buildings meet the bare minimum criteria for conversion, but the true share of conversion-appropriate sites is very likely lower<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2px||1px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”0px||14px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/office-conversions.png” alt=”G7 homebuilding rates” title_text=”office-conversions” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”1px||-13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n That\u2019s because the right size and age are just starting points on the path to a conversion project, the researchers are quick to point out. \u201cPerhaps the most important \u2014 certainly for our real estate community \u2014 is the financial feasibility,\u201d Pickles tells Wahi. Costs can quickly add up depending on factors like electrical systems and plumbing. Unlike an office, which may have a kitchen or bathrooms on certain floors, an apartment building requires these amenities in each dwelling.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Given the potential costs involved, sometimes it makes more sense to demolish the entire building and start from scratch, Raymond Wong, vice president of data solutions at Altus Group, a real estate consultancy, tells Wahi. \u201cThe economics have to make sense,\u201d he says, noting some issues might not be apparent until contractors start working on the building. \u201cThere are surprises on the site,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoning also plays a role. It has historically been difficult to convert what are deemed employment areas in the City of Toronto\u2019s official plan, experts say. And don\u2019t forget the old real estate phrase: location, location, location. Where these buildings are factors into how convertible they are. \u201cThose locations that are in the city that are on high-volume corridors that have public transit and\/or neighbourhoods with amenities like retail and all of the great things you\u2019d want to live in as a community \u2014 that would be another key criteria,\u201d Pickles continues.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” custom_margin=”||-6px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f0faf4″ min_height=”334.8px” custom_padding=”3px||0px|||” global_module=”849″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|3px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”60px||43px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||65px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”2.63rem” header_2_line_height=”3.2rem” custom_margin=”||25px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”2.63rem” header_2_font_size_phone=”2rem” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”2.5rem” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#e8db3a” text_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”35.8px” custom_margin=”-24px||32px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|26px||26px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”0.85rem” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Join Wahi today and find out how easy it is to get real estate in Ontario<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”5px” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”1px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”] [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_button button_url=”\/ca\/en\/real-estate\/sign-up” button_text=”Get Started” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_letter_spacing=”1px” button_text_size_tablet=”” button_text_size_phone=”13px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”29px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Timing is a factor, too, Botting adds. After all, some buildings that could be repurposed might be leased out currently, even if only partially. \u201cIt\u2019s also pretty soon after the pandemic. If you think about [how] the average lease is 10 years, it\u2019s going to take a while for those to roll over and provide the opportunity for the building,\u201d says Botting. \u201cSo this is not an overnight thing that\u2019s going to happen; this is more of a decade type of play.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don\u2019t expect the vast majority of Toronto office buildings to have second lives as apartments. However, regardless of the difficulties and limitations, the co-authors of the Avison Young report still see lots to get excited about around office-to-residential conversions, which are a form of what is known in planning circles as adaptive reuse. \u201cThere\u2019s tons of upside for this,\u201d says Pickles. Office-to-residential conversions increase housing choice and options, he explains.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”33px||33px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Josh Sherman” image=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-7.46.57-PM.png” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.2em” body_text_color=”#686E6E” body_line_height=”0em” width=”550px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”2px||13px|||” link_option_url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/author\/josh-shermanwahi-com” header_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_font_size_phone=”20px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_line_height_phone=”1.4em” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:64px;” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Wahi Writer<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_socialsharing module_class=”wahi_socialsharing_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_socialsharing][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”5px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||19px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” custom_margin=”||23px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”33px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog_extras posts_number=”3″ include_categories=”23,21,22″ blog_layout=”masonry” meta_date=”M j” excerpt_length=”0″ show_more=”off” show_author=”off” category_color=”#686E6E” show_comments=”off” module_class=”zoom-blog” masonry_columns_tablet=”” masonry_columns_phone=”1″ masonry_columns_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” filterable_category_font_size=”20px” active_filterable_category_font_size=”20px” header_font=”Lato||||||||” header_font_size=”1.25rem” header_line_height=”1.88rem” meta_text_color=”#686E6E” meta_font_size=”16px” custom_css_title=”font-weight:900!important;” custom_css_post_meta=”margin-top:-32px!important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_title__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” custom_css_title__hover=”font-weight:900!important; text-decoration:underline;”][\/et_pb_blog_extras][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ background_color=”#f0faf4″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2px||10px||false|false” border_color_bottom=”#686E6E” global_module=”277894″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”85%” custom_margin=”|auto|3px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”60px||43px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”60px||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”2.63rem” header_2_line_height=”3.2rem” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”||25px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”2.63rem” header_2_font_size_phone=”1.8rem” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”2.5rem” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]“Perhaps the most important \u2014 certainly for our real estate community \u2014 is the financial feasibility.”<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Some Toronto Office Buildings Are Ripe for Conversion \u2014 but Most Aren’t\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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We put the real<\/em> back in real estate.<\/span><\/h2>\n
Despite Challenges, Office Conversions Have “Tonnes of Upside”\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/span>And while such projects have yet to take off in Toronto, the co-authors say they\u2019ve already been approached by local clients interested in exploring what\u2019s possible for their own commercial properties. Pickles also notes that office conversions have been a success story elsewhere in Canada: namely, Calgary<\/a>, where Avison Young earmarked an additional 521 buildings for possible adaptive reuse. \u201cIn Canada, they certainly have had that leadership role that they\u2019ve seen a lot of these conversions happen,\u201d he says. One thing that has helped usher in change? The Albertan city\u2019s <\/span>Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program<\/span><\/a>, which provides subsidies for office conversions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Past waves of conversion have also shown what kind of transformation is possible. For instance, many brick-and-beam office buildings clustered in and around Toronto\u2019s Fashion and Entertainment Districts were once factories or warehouses. \u201cThe whole notion of adapting infrastructure, adapting buildings, has happened for a long period of time,\u201d says Pickles. \u201cThere\u2019s a great opportunity in the marketplace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nYou might also like<\/h2>\n
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