Another Day At The Office

In London, a housing crunch is creating a new trend of converting old office spaces into housing. The majority of the city's new housing developments are actually old office spaces.

1 minute read

December 21, 2006, 6:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


The new trend is covering the majority of the market with converted office buildings. And as the conversions move into upscale neighborhoods, the new residences are some of the city's most expensive.

"90% of residential development in the capital is on ex-commercial sites, and estimates that 500-600 conversion schemes are currently being undertaken, according to Tim Craine, a director of London Development Research, a company that advises developers and investment companies on property issues"

"The explanation is simple: according to estate agency Knight Frank, the price of residential property in prime London locations has risen by more than 26% during the past 12 months. In Kensington and Chelsea, Rightmove, a property website, reports asking prices have risen by 55.8%."

Sunday, December 17, 2006 in Times of London

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

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

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 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Aerial view of Broadway Street of Philipsburg, Montana, Philipsburg is a town in and the county seat of Granite County, Montana, United States.

Rural Population Grew Again in 2024

Americans continued to move to smaller towns and cities, resulting in a fourth straight year of growth in rural areas.

1 hour ago - The Daily Yonder

Low view of bike lane on New York City street with bike share station next to curb.

Safe Streets Grants: What to Know

This year’s round of Safe Streets for All grant criteria come with some changes.

2 hours ago - Transportation for America

White on-demand microtransit transit vehicle in Missouri.

Rural Missouri Transit Service Could Lose State Funding

OATS Transit offers low-cost rides to primarily elderly rural residents with little or no access to other transportation options.

3 hours ago - The Daily Yonder