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Real Estate
 Brian Miller Real Estate Editor |
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July 20, 2023
On the Block: Class B office conversions: some modest proposals
The recent city-sponsored competition for converting underused offices to housing was admirable, but underwhelming. Flip the landmarked Mutual Life Building in Pioneer Square to co-housing? That was the winning idea from Hybrid Architecture, developer Great Expectations and building owner Diamond Parking, but it doesn't go nearly far enough. It's cute, but trite.
Nobody in their right mind, or budget, wants to live in a co-housing; that's for college kids, or recent grads, not adults. And there are laughably few old historic office buildings with small floor plates, and light wells, that are suitable for conversion to apartments.
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Previous columns:
- On the Block: Big plans for the tiny Triangle Hotel building, 07-13-2023
- On the Block: Could upzone save Third Avenue?, 06-29-2023
- On the Block: City encourages swifter design reviews, more affordable units, 06-15-2023
- On the Block: How to combat work-from-home and save downtown? Shorten the commute, 05-25-2023
- On the Block: Housing in industrial zones? Harrell embraces that heresy, 04-27-2023
- On the Block: A big hotel deal in wine country, 04-06-2023
- On the Block: Runberg plans 'a modest addition' to Pioneer Square triangle, 03-16-2023
- On the Block: Dow drops a bombshell with downtown plan, 03-09-2023