Development
-
Getty Images
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.
By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 27, 2025 -
Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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.
By Robert Freedman • Oct. 22, 2025 -
Getty Images
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.
By Joe Burns • Oct. 16, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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.
By Joe Burns • Oct. 14, 2025 -
Getty Images
NYC zoning changes, high vacancy rates drive office conversion activity
Shifting financial conditions, housing shortages and programs that help building owners evaluate conversions have accelerated activity, Cushman & Wakefield says.
By Joe Burns • Oct. 6, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
FMs could benefit from bill creating visa to fill construction jobs
The H-2C visa would fill jobs that have remained open for a certain period of time so companies can get crews working on projects.
By Zachary Phillips • Oct. 2, 2025 -
Getty Images
Owner-tenant green retrofit investment boosts value: JLL
Tenants want prime space that meets their sustainability targets. That’s driving deals that include energy-focused lease clauses, the firm says.
By Joe Burns • Sept. 25, 2025 -
Leon Neal via Getty Images
Plan for lower water temperatures when replacing traditional HVAC systems with heat pumps
Fossil fuel-based systems supply water at higher temperatures than heat pumps. Operators that want to electrify their systems must look at coil sizes, piping and other elements, specialists say.
By Joe Burns • Sept. 16, 2025 -
Getty Images
Life sciences markets hit vacancy rate highs, deflating rents
Landlords are offering concessions like free rent and improvement allowances as rents fall, but the space still commands a premium over office space, Cushman & Wakefield says.
By Joe Burns • Sept. 12, 2025 -
Permission granted by Joe Burns
University of Illinois Chicago tackles deferred maintenance at no upfront cost
An energy performance contract with Ameresco showed the institution how it can capture energy savings from mechanical system upgrades to cover costs over time. The savings make it possible to do upgrades faster, a facility engineer says.
By Joe Burns • Sept. 10, 2025 -
Getty Images
Generational, gender differences key to workplace experience: reports
With employee experience playing more of a role in office performance, operators must monitor feedback to ensure workplaces are successful, firms say.
By Joe Burns • Sept. 5, 2025 -
Getty Images
Energy savings contracts, backed by data, enable smarter facility upgrades
As electricity costs rise and federal incentives drop, building operators are tapping the contracts to improve efficiency and boost resilience.
By Joe Burns • Sept. 2, 2025 -
Getty Images
Relocatable modular buildings are efficient but pose logistics challenges
The units offer a way to add space quickly, but using them comes with a learning curve.
By Joe Burns • Aug. 28, 2025 -
Getty Images
Coworking growth slows, but companies still value flex space, reports show
Most organizations still want to grow their use of alternative space to reduce capital expenditures and improve employee experience.
By Joe Burns • Aug. 13, 2025 -
Getty Images
Office occupiers seek ways to improve vibrancy of space: CBRE
Workers that go into the office when it’s only partially full don’t find the environment appealing and are less likely to return the next day, the firm reports.
By Joe Burns • Aug. 11, 2025 -
Retrieved from The White House.
It’s not the addition, it’s the size, say critics of White House ballroom
Construction of the structure is scheduled to start in September to replace a tent and walkway that facility staff put up when the president hosts events of more than 200 people.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 5, 2025 -
Courtesy of Suffolk
As higher ed ramps up modular construction, easier maintenance could follow
Standardization and a factory-like quality control process could lead to fewer problems once buildings are put into service, a general contractor executive says.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 4, 2025 -
Getty Images
Charging station at Denver arena spotlights ‘lease-deployment’ infrastructure model
The sports complex is partnering with Flash Parking to install the city’s largest electric vehicle charging hub. Building owners are increasingly looking to partnerships to meet infrastructure demand.
By Joe Burns • July 28, 2025 -
Nathan Howard via Getty Images
Data centers seek flexible power solutions for resilience, sustainability
Flexible battery or generator solutions can help data centers power up faster, reduce grid impacts and keep their owners’ sustainability goals within reach, experts say.
By Brian Martucci • July 23, 2025 -
Bonnie Cash via Getty Images
Trump officials using building renovation costs to go after Fed chair, WSJ says
High-profile criticism of some $700 million in cost overruns is said to be an effort to pressure Jerome Powell to quit.
By Robert Freedman • July 18, 2025 -
Getty Images
New budget law includes property renovation incentives
Restoration of 100% bonus depreciation and two other provisions give building owners a reason to fund improvements now rather than wait until later, according to a tax attorney.
By Robert Freedman • July 11, 2025 -
JuliaMag via Getty Images
Office conversions accelerate, but many older buildings face demolition: reports
High vacancy rates have driven building owners to repurpose space, which should help the U.S. office market’s recovery. But high costs and incompatible structural designs remain challenges, CBRE says.
By Joe Burns • June 25, 2025 -
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
Senate Finance Committee reduces House IRA cuts, but few changes for wind and solar
Wind and solar projects must begin construction by the end of 2025 to qualify for the Inflation Reduction Act’s full 45Y and 48E tax credits in the Finance Committee's proposed budget bill.
By Diana DiGangi • June 25, 2025 -
Getty Images
Office downsizing has peaked: Cushman & Wakefield
Economic and geopolitical uncertainties are delaying some restructuring plans, but only temporarily, as pressure to reduce and control commercial real estate spending remains “as strong as ever,” the firm says.
By Joe Burns • June 23, 2025 -
Getty Images
Municipalities tap AI for permitting
Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, are using the tech to cleave wait times, while Honolulu promises big upgrades and faster responses.
By Matthew Thibault • June 20, 2025
