Adaptive Reuse
Uncovering Hidden Assets & Obstacles

By Celeste Novak

Imagine the possibilities: You’re considering buying a two-story brick hardware store with residential space on the edge of a university town. Built in 1906, it appears to be in good condition, but there are some signs of wear and a small portion of it sits in the flood plain. The building is faced with porcelite metal siding — installed in the 1950s to “modernize” it — hiding its original brick moldings, windows and character. There are many different options you could consider in redeveloping the property. Where do you begin?

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Find out more about the technical issues surrounding adaptive reuse in Remediating Existing Buildings by Ken Kamlet.