Theirs is one of many commercial properties with persistent vacancies in the era of hybrid work, particularly at older buildings. Now the city and the state want to help transform these offices into housing.
Kershaw's company is set to convert the South End building into nearly units of housing. After a recent tour of 95 Berkeley, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told reporters some owners have gone so long without business tenants for their buildings, they feel they have to look into residential housing.
The push for office-to-residential conversions comes as officials look to address a number of problems that come with empty buildings: concerns about potential blight and keeping a vibrant downtown.
And then there's Boston's pressing need for more housing. There are also concerns on the part of building owners. Demand remains high for best-in-class office space in Boston β think of the gleaming towers in the Seaport β but for B and C-class offices, like many buildings around downtown Boston, the market is struggling.
Office vacancies in the city have doubled since the first quarter of , to Advocates say conversions could kill two birds with one stone, warding off vacancies while adding desperately needed housing to the market. Cities across Massachusetts are identifying office buildings that could be candidates for residential conversions. Architect Tim Love of Utile Architecture and Planning, one of the contributors to Boston's conversion study , said certain features make buildings more adaptable.
