New York City is having an office-to-housing conversion boom. Could Chicago be next?

Chicago has a higher downtown office vacancy rate than the Big Apple. Housing advocates say those buildings could help address the affordable housing shortage.

CBRE sees strong growth led by record Q3 leasing and data center expansion

The firm’s building operations segment increased revenue by double digits, adding to continued recovery in leasing, project management and cost consultancy across sectors. 

Updated Oct. 27, 2025

White House ballroom teardown catches critics by surprise

When introducing its plans in July, the Trump administration said the East Wing would remain in place. The contractor overseeing the demolition is having to fend off angry messages, news reports say.

AI and IoT are boosting confidence in asset management: report

Organizations are adopting the technologies to help drive down reactive maintenance and focus on long-term lifecycle management strategies, Brightly says.

Breweries invest in heat pumps to decarbonize, cut costs

New Belgium Brewery, Diageo and other beverage manufacturers are pursuing electrification technologies from AtmosZero and Skyven to reduce emissions and improve downtime risks.

EV charging missing the mark for convenience stores, industry execs say

Leaders from Parker’s, Sheetz and Nouria discussed how customer attitudes toward chargers have changed in the past year and a half.

Judge strikes down federal indirect cost cap hurting college facilities

University facilities managers’ budgets often pull from federal funds that support research. The ruling gives FMs a reprieve from the Administration’s effort to limit this source of money. 

Google’s New York City campus hit with bedbugs

Exterminators brought in a sniffer dog to confirm the outbreak. The company says the infestation was quickly remediated and asked employees to see if they took any bugs home with them.

Common building equipment used in Louvre heist

Thieves used a truck-mounted furniture elevator and angle grinders to access a second-floor gallery while visitors and museum employees watched them steal some of France’s crown jewels.

Employees value office time but struggle with noise, air quality: survey

Time in the office provides “social glue” and advancement opportunities, but building operators must use data to inform decision-making, XY Sense says. 

Most organic waste generators would face disposal ban under Massachusetts proposal

Right now, the ban applies to businesses and institutions that generate more than one-half ton of organic material a week. If the proposal goes forward, it would apply to all businesses and residents. 

Inside the Aon Center: How JLL manages its home

The integrated property management giant has people working below ground and above the clouds to ensure the building — and the people inside — can work as efficiently as possible.

With acquisition, Lennox becomes big seller of HVAC parts

The industry giant is expanding its component sales at a time when manufacturers are passing along price increases of close to 10% in large part because of tariffs.

US office markets enter growth cycle as vacancy rates decline: JLL

Return to office mandates at a time when new construction is minimal are driving demand even for less-than-trophy assets, the firm says. 

Facilities add surveillance trailers to security mix

Low video streaming costs and the embedding of AI into cameras has made what was once limited to construction sites a cost-effective approach elsewhere, an industry executive says.

By mandating scans for building access, JPMorgan supercharges biometric data debate

The United States’ largest bank won’t let its employees access its new headquarters unless they allow it to collect their most unique personally identifiable information.

New tools showcase range of AI in building operations

In the last month, companies have rolled out products to help facilities managers oversee maintenance, HVAC systems and tenant operations. 

Amazon to use mass timber-built delivery facility as sustainability lab

The e-commerce and tech giant aims to use the Elkhart, Indiana, delivery facility as a lab for construction and facilities practices that generate a lower carbon footprint.

Put building systems on separate VLAN, cyber specialist says

By separating the HVAC, generator and other building systems from the main network, disruption risk drops, according to Troy Cruzen of Fortified Health Security.

David Keeling confirmed as new head of OSHA

The former Amazon and UPS executive is expected to make heat safety a priority as the federal government’s top workplace regulator.  

AI impacts offices in more ways than one

Office recovery in New York City and San Francisco has been boosted by demand from AI companies, but the technology is also reshaping how workplaces operate across the country, reports say.

As California’s new energy code nears, training is available to help FMs meet it

Software company IES and the U.S. Green Building Council California are offering advanced modeling and performance analysis training so building operators don’t have to fly blind.

How FMs can improve data center performance-per-watt

Generating money-saving PPW gains begins with an understanding of the right liquid cooling approach for your operations. 

With growth, heat pump water heaters are no longer an afterthought

Cold weather innovations could help spur more sales as manufacturers roll out products to meet a DOE initiative to broader heat pump adoption.

Honeywell to supply new power solutions for data centers

Working with industrial automation firm LS Electric, Honeywell will offer AI-driven power management solutions, including battery energy storage systems, to help meet the sector’s energy demand.