Converting empty NYC offices into apartments is harder than you might think

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[huberttrocks]

I still believe that the dimensions of a converted space being “wonky” do not outweigh the need for affordable housing. I would rather stay in a “wonky” apartment than be experiencing homelessness.

[nutmegriot]

in college dorm buildings theres 1 bathroom per floor. showers would have to be installed & residents might have to use the cafeteria like a commune. could work for struggling young people. better than living on the street

[UrinationNation]

Yeah I don't think homeless folks would be too upset if they had an actual room they could lock and be safe in, but they had to share a bathroom or a kitchen while they stabilize their lives in some way.

[kjsaaaaaaaa]

any excuse to to avoid affordable housing.

[nospringchicken]

Look at the Korean Offictel. Although they were built to be residential, office space is allowed. My son, an English teacher has been living in one for years. His building is very narrow but the center can be commercial. Although it is very small by US standards, it is a good option for affordable housing and the location is great.

[TheYashakami]

This is an extended conversation on "people made up a bunch of numbers and now they aren't working the way they thought they would."

[zaccoop]

They would just have to add more water and shower stalls... dorm rooms, shared houses use shared bathrooms... the building code stuff... it is all laws that can easily be just changed. "Office building = residential building"... the real estate system makes it hard just to increase prices.

[arkology_city]

Building code problems - AKA bullshit.

[workstationmark]

just rent it out to ex university students they used to that, the inconveniences of sharing bathroom and kitchen facilities should make it more affordable!

[ThoughtsEtcEtcEtc]

I miss the culture of New York City dearly. I do not miss the rent prices. Laws have to change!!!

[ecospider]

Conversion of things is hard. Especially when you are going from one building code to a different building code.

[metavalent]

0:20 How can we bring some material and social engineering imagination and co-creativity into such an environment? Seems like an excellent opportunity to test Jamie Combs's Four Game Dynamics, IRL. With respect, "it's just not happening, " sounds like a slightly defeatist perspective. Maybe I'm way off here, don't tear-downs and rebuilds also mean jobs-jobs-jobs, hence good? Engineering school teaches us how to build motorcycles out of cardboard boxes and discarded paper towel tubes. Many people live in dorms with shared kitchens and restrooms. Soldiers and sailors know having a bunk is infinite luxury compared to a foxhole or park bench. Will probably make a little #WT4GF post about this, thank you!

[annettecaamano]

So you are saying that modern office buildings were built like shit.