Reimagining America’s Empty Office Buildings
Upcoming event looks at office-to-residential conversions, the costs and benefits of adaptive reuse, and the latest trends in co-living
Join us Oct. 21, 2025, at The Pew Charitable Trusts’ offices for a timely discussion with industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers from throughout the country working on creative solutions to address the nation’s housing shortage.
The day-long event will include panel discussions about adaptive reuse and office-to-residential conversions, the costs and benefits, and recent developments in co-living of all types. Attendees will gain insights from industry leaders in housing, urban policy, and finance who are working to tackle the housing shortage in the United States. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the conversation.
Registration is required. An option to attend virtually is also available if you are unable to attend in person.
Agenda
8-9 a.m.: Registration and welcome breakfast
9-9:10 a.m.: Opening remarks
9:10-10 a.m.: Office-to-co-living conversions
A panel discussion about the costs, benefits, and feasibility of co-living and office-to-residential conversions.
10-10:50 a.m.: Impact panel
A panel discussion with civic leaders about efforts to bring co-living and office conversions to market, obstacles, and lessons learned.
11:15 a.m.-noon: Office-to-co-living financing research presentation and discussion
A panel discussion on the prospects, challenges, and opportunities for financing office-to-co-living developments.
Noon-1 p.m.: Lunch
1-1:30 p.m.: Policy spotlight
States are enacting reforms to legalize co-living, make it easier to build housing in commercial areas, and convert existing commercial buildings to residential use.
1:30-2:30 p.m.: What do we know about demand? A co-living practitioner panel
A panel discussion about existing and potential demand as well as key lessons from practitioners about management, marketing, and the financial viability of co-living and adaptive reuse.
2:30-3:45 p.m.: Workshop: Overcoming Barriers to Adaptive Reuse of Office Space for Co-Living Conversions
A facilitated discussion with attendees about the major barriers facing conversions and how to overcome them.
3:45-4 p.m.: Closing remarks
4-5 p.m.: Reception
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