L.A.'s Reuse Ordinance: A Victim of its Own Success

Los Angeles's landmark adaptive reuse ordinance has been credited with helping to spur downtown's dramatic growth over the past decade. However, developers now find it cheaper to build new than reuse the area's historic structures.

1 minute read

January 31, 2013, 10:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Ryan Vaillancourt describes the odd situation whereby the tool that made possible downtown L.A.'s wave of condo conversion projects - 1999's Adaptive Reuse Ordinance - is now rarely utilized, "even as Downtown is in the early stages of a second housing boom."

"The paradigm shift toward new construction stems in part from a curious market reality in which it is simply too expensive to turn old buildings into housing, developers say. It’s to the point that it actually costs less to build on an empty plot."

"Construction costs are significantly higher today and most of the buildings that were best suited for residential conversion have already been transformed," explains Vaillancourt. "But perhaps the biggest strain on adaptive reuse growth is, ironically, the law’s own success. The residential surge and the flurry of restaurants and bars that accompanied it over the past 10 years have driven up the demand for housing. In the process, long depressed property values have surged, shrinking the potential profit margin for today’s developers."

"In other words, it was easier to justify the high cost of renovating a historic building when it cost relatively little to buy it."

Developers and city leaders are looking at ways to either adapt the ordinance, or develop new tools, to ensure that downtown's stock of historic buildings continue to attract investment.

Monday, January 28, 2013 in Los Angeles Downtown News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

15 minutes ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

1 hour ago - Newsweek

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

2 hours ago - domus

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.