Changing a Building’s Use? Make it a Success!
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
Converting a building from one use to another can be a smart investment; caveat: understand what to do first!
Changes in a building’s use are occurring at a surprising scale. In 2026, RentCafe reported that 47% of apartment conversions came from underutilized office space, with a small percentage of old school buildings converted to housing units. Yardi Research found that 61% of offices began as industrial buildings. Retail brick-and-mortar also experienced a shift; more than ever, they're being converted into service businesses such as restaurants, healthcare, fitness, and more. Not all conversions have the same risk or duration. There's a formula to success and controlled costs versus a money pit and possible project stallout.
I’ve walked through plenty of old homes, warehouses, and office buildings across New York where the owner was inspired and excited about what the property could be. That vision is exciting; don’t lose that. My advice is this…never stop being a visionary; just do a little homework before investing significant capital.
never stop being a visionary; just do a little homework before investing significant capital.
1. Establish if the “New Use” Is Allowed
Suppose you want to convert a former residence into a restaurant. The location may be ideal, but the new use could require additional parking, ventilation requirements, permits, or local approvals. If the property is historically designated, extremely common in New England and Southeast states, alterations could require preservation review and expert design to protect the building’s historic character.
Do This First
Complete an Early Zoning Review
It will quickly determine whether the use is allowed at that location; if not, the review will outline the approval process.
Let the Building Tell “Its” Story
Gather the certificate of occupancy, prior permits, floor plans, surveys, utility information, lease restrictions, and records of known issues. Since paperwork for old buildings does not always match what you discover on-site, obtain a building survey and records review. This could possibly fill in the gaps and establish a reliable starting point.
2. Obtain an Early “Concept Study”
Why? It reveals code upgrades. Consider this: converting a warehouse into a community events center. The open floor plan may be perfect, but the “new use” could affect exits, accessibility requirements, the need for additional restrooms, fire protection, and capacity limits. This is not to scare you. This is how you manage this.
Do This
Obtain a preliminary concept with a code assessment from a licensed architect experienced in change-of-use projects. They can prioritize required code upgrades and help shape a realistic construction budget.
REVIEW: Questions You Need Answered
Changing the use of a property can be done “on vision” and successfully. The key is answering these primary questions first:
Can I legally use the property as I imagine?
What changes will impact code requirements?
After answering 1 and 2, will the project remain financially feasible?
Consult the right specialist to inform you. The earlier you answer these questions, the less of a gamble a change of use becomes and the more you will have achieved a successful, well-planned opportunity.
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From the desk of: Shawn Hamlin, RA, AIA, an award-winning, New York State–licensed architect with more than 40 years of experience planning and designing urban and academic spaces—including University, K-12, and community facilities, classrooms, offices, athletic centers, and historic buildings.
