In a two-part inquiry in GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe looks at clearing the path to office-to-residential conversions and the complex path beyond.
Earlier this month, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell proposed easing the conversion approval process in Seattle through exemptions from design review standards and the city's Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) requirements. The idea suggested that such incentives could be a lynchpin of Seattle’s downtown recovery.
However, Wolfe explains in two GeekWire articles that the difficulty of office conversions goes beyond such incentives. He cites national media coverage and local viewpoints on cost, alteration, and general suitability issues.
He suggests the idea of mixed-use spaces that combine work and living and suggests technology companies could embrace such spaces:
This broad thinking is needed for converted spaces to carry the day.
FULL STORY: Office-to-residential conversion is a trendy idea for downtown resurgence — but has big challenges
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