Pittsburgh’s office buildings, many of which date back to the early 20th century, are prime candidates for conversion to housing.
Several downtown Pittsburgh office buildings are being converted to housing, reports Ryan Deto in Axios, which will result in roughly 1,300 new housing units. About one fourth of the units will be subsidized for low-income families.
“Six other office-to-housing conversions are in the pipeline for Downtown — including the iconic 582-foot Gulf Tower and the 18-story former FHL Bank Building — said Kyle Chintalapalli, chief economic development officer for Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey.”
Because many of Pittsburgh’s office buildings were built in the early 20th century before the rise of the open-plan office, they are more appropriate for conversion to housing than newer buildings. According to Chintalapalli, there are two dozen additional downtown buildings that could be converted but do not have funding committed. Downtown Pittsburgh has 91 percent office buildings and 9 percent apartment towers, a lower rate of residential buildings than most downtowns.
FULL STORY: These offices are being converted to housing
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