Whole Life Carbon of Commercial to Residential Conversions
Aligning the Climate and Housing Imperative
Project Partners: ULI Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate; Architecture 2030
Project Type: Total carbon study
Keywords: commercial real estate, adaptive reuse, housing, total carbon
overview
While the dual housing and climate crises are often viewed in opposition, commercial to residential conversions offer a powerful solution to reduce carbon emissions while simultaneously address housing shortages and high office vacancy rates. Conversions are gaining momentum in the commercial real estate sector, supported by a growing number of policy incentives and regulations.
Whole Life Carbon of Commercial to Residential Conversions is a companion report to ULI’s 2023 “Behind the Façade: The Feasibility of Converting Commercial Real Estate to Multifamily,” intended for real estate developers, investors, policymakers, and city planners seeking to align investment strategies with climate goals.
24
real world commercial to residential conversions assessed
62%
estimated embodied carbon avoided through housing created by conversions compared to new construction
39%
estimated whole life carbon reduced through conversion compared to new construction through the year 2040
Read the full report to learn more about …
Policies at the local and regional level driving demand and accelerating implementation of commercial to residential conversions.
Emerging embodied carbon typologies that tie common commercial to residential conversion to embodied carbon impacts.
Technical findings that unpack how mechanical systems, interior architecture, envelope upgrades, and structural retrofits contribute to the carbon footprint of conversions.
Guidance for developers, policymakers, and planners to align decarbonization and housing commitments through commercial to residential conversions.