A New Formula For Success - Office Conversions and Adaptive Reuse

The Take on Commercial Real Estate

In this episode we share the full program from the Commercial Association of REALTORS September 17, 2024, membership meeting at the historic Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This event was a deep dive into one of today’s hottest topics: adaptive reuse and the conversion of office spaces into multifamily and mixed-use developments.

The keynote presenter, Steven Paynter of Gensler, brought insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding these transformations. Steven, a leader in architectural design and urban planning, shared key trends, success stories, and strategies for adapting office spaces to meet changing market demands. He has led the development of a tool for rapid assessment of existing office building stock for ESG performance. Steven was recognized by Business Insider as one of the Top 100 People Transforming Business in 2022, and his work and leadership have been featured in PBS, BBC News, CNBC, Daily Mail UK, Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, RTE, and Architectural Record.

Following Steven’s keynote, CARW hosted a powerhouse panel featuring some of the most respected names in the industry:

• S.R. Mills, CEO of Bear Development, known for leading impactful and transformative projects.
• Johnny Vassallo, founder of Mo's, who brings a unique perspective as an innovator and investor.
• Rob Oldenburg of Irgens, whose expertise in commercial development is unmatched.
• John Searlas from WHEDA, offering valuable insights into the financing and policy frameworks critical to these projects.

Together, they tackled pressing questions about housing shortages, suburban redevelopment, feasibility factors, and best practices drawn from cities across the country.

Whether you're a developer, investor, or simply curious about the future of our built environment, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. So, sit back, tune in, and join us for this engaging conversation on adaptive reuse and the next evolution of commercial real estate.