northeast0 t1_iu0tbxc wrote on October 27, 2022 at 6:36 PM

Reply to comment by sarcasticlhath in ‘A 24-hour neighborhood’: Wu outlines plans to bring downtown Boston back to life - The Boston Globe by TouchDownBurrito

The cost of conversion usually ends up being more expensive than a teardown and rebuild primarily due to fire code issues. Every bedroom needs 2 forms of egress/ingress so all windows would conceivably need to be converted into windows that open outward. Utilities need to be separately metered and controlled. Electrical outlets need to be reconfigured. Kitchens and bathrooms need to be built in every unit. Soundproof walls need to be put in on every floor. Fire suppression systems need to be reconfigured so that it can activate in every unit. Laundry facilities need to be made available or installed in each unit. The list goes on and on

FitzwilliamTDarcy t1_iu16nq8 wrote on October 27, 2022 at 8:03 PM

Yup. All this, plus distance from core (elevator/stair) to edge-walls in office is usually far greater than in residential.

Maxpowr9 t1_iu1bjt6 wrote on October 27, 2022 at 8:34 PM

Even for my own home, to do a gut job and an addition is nearly the cost of a teardown and building something new. Really the only reason to do the former is if temporarily relocating isn't an option.