Adaptive reuse can help the old become the new, honoring our history and desire for efficiency along the way. This piece highlights 10 examples of adaptive reuse projects from around the west, depicting them in their before and after states.
Refurbishment, rehabilitation, retrofitting, adaptive reuse: Call it what you will, but the transformation of an existing building from one state to another can be an effective way to build community. At its most basic level, adaptive reuse takes an existing structure and modifies it to be used as something else. An auto repair shop renovated to serve as a diner. An empty warehouse turned into office spaces.
Throughout the country we have hundreds—thousands—of examples of existing structures that are under-used, or not used at all, that with the right investor and market conditions could be re-purposed into something new, alleviating the need for new construction.
Adaptive reuse is a sign that our towns are healthy, and worthy of new investment. Plus, there’s something a bit sad about leaving old buildings behind, then going somewhere new and putting all our time and energy into creating shiny new buildings far from our town center. In 10 or 20 years, those buildings begin to age and we repeat the process all over again. The buildings in these examples are a reversal of that process. They represent the idea that, with a bit of creativity and elbow grease, even the most downtrodden of our old town buildings can find new life. In a world where things fall apart, it’s nice to know we can put them back together again.
FULL STORY: Adapt and Reuse: Transforming the Old to the New
San Diego to Update Historic Preservation Program
The city wants to identify new areas for preservation while streamlining processes to promote adaptive reuse of historic properties.
Los Angeles Reveals New Citywide Adaptive Reuse Proposal
An adaptive reuse ordinance limited to the city’s downtown core helped create roughly 12,000 units of new housing.
‘Facadism:’ Historical Preservation, Fakery—or a Little of Both?
Developers in cities like Oakland, California are turning to vintage architectural elements to inform building renovations, but this repackaging is far from traditional preservation work.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability
Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.
Indy Bikeshare System Turns 10, Expands to E-Bikes
Pacers Bikeshare riders logged over 700,000 rides since the system launched in 2014.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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