How Many Apartments Are Underway From Former Office Buildings in New York?

In the heart of New York’s bustling metros, a transformative trend is reshaping the urban landscape. Adaptive reuse, the process of repurposing old buildings for new uses, is breathing new life into vacant or outdated office spaces, turning them into modern apartments. This movement is all about creating new homes, revitalizing neighborhoods, and offering renters unique living spaces. In fact, renters choosing this type of apartments get to enjoy cool, up-to-date features, great location — mostly in downtown areas or near transit — and easy access to their favorite fun and dining spots.

And, while this trend is noticeable across the country, certain areas display a higher concentration of adaptive reuse projects. Take New York for example: The Empire State boasts an impressive 6,400 apartments that are being converted from office buildings. Here are the top five metros in the state for adaptive reuse projects that are transforming former offices into cozy rentals.

New York is leading the charge in adaptive reuse

In the sprawling New York–Newark–Jersey City metro, adaptive reuse is booming. The 5,200 apartments that are currently underway from office properties make up a significant 45.4% of all rentals emerging from adaptive reuse projects. The crown jewel of this transformation is underway at 25 Water Street, where a staggering 1,263 apartments are being crafted from former office spaces. The building is located in Manhattan’s Financial District, which is gaining a reputation for such conversion projects.

Adaptive reuse projects are also bringing new apartments in Albany

In the Albany metro area, the 559 apartments now being built from office properties account for 45% of the total number of units coming from adaptive reuse projects in the area. The largest among these is Abraxas at 90 State, where 162 apartments are taking shape within a once corporate structure, offering a unique blend of history and modernity to its future residents.

More than 200 adaptive reuse apartments are now being built in Rochester

Rochester remains a key player in the movement, with 204 apartments currently under construction in former office buildings. This represents 37% of the metro area’s rentals resulting from adaptive reuse projects. The Metropolitan stands out as the largest project, transforming into 110 apartments and showcasing the adaptive reuse movement’s potential to revitalize urban spaces, even in less prominent areas.

Office buildings in Poughkeepsie are also getting a makeover

In the Poughkeepsie metro area, there are 187 apartments currently being built from former office properties. This represents 72.8% of the area’s adaptive reuse units and is entirely attributed to the Wallace Campus conversion project. This initiative is a testament to the innovative spirit driving the transformation of office buildings into living spaces.

Syracuse sees steady growth in adaptive reuse plans

Syracuse is also embracing the adaptive reuse trend, with 150 apartments currently under construction from office properties, accounting for 34.6% of the area’s rentals from adaptive reuse projects. That said, Syracuse is proof that even smaller metros can play a significant role in this trend. The largest project, 500 South Salina Street, aims for converting an entire office building into 150 apartments, highlighting the potential for adaptive reuse to meet the housing needs of modern renters.

Adaptive reuse is more than just a construction trend; it’s a movement towards sustainable living, community revitalization, and architectural innovation. As office buildings across New York’s metros transform into apartments, they offer renters one-of-a-kind living spaces that blend the charm of historic structures with the convenience of modern amenities, making cities more livable and appealing.

As you can see, adaptive reuse projects present an exciting array of options for renters looking for a unique place to call home in New York. Elsewhere in the U.S., California is also flexing its adaptive reuse muscle, with Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco emerging as the top three metros for turning outdated offices into modern apartments in the Golden State.