Vacant properties are common in urban areas across the country. If nothing is done with them, they can soon fall into a state of disrepair that is not only dangerous but can also bring down the appeal and value of properties in the immediate vicinity.
Developers will often purchase these properties, raze them to the ground and replace them with something modern. But some opt for an alternative way, known as adaptive reuse. They leave the building standing and transform it for a different purpose than that for which it originally served.
Notable examples include the Sarasota Art Museum and the NoMa Gallery in Ocala, both of which had very different previous lives. Here in Boca Raton, approval was given on May 15 for the adaptive use of the old Holiday Inn off Yamato Road, which is going to be turned into 125 flats.
Preserving our history
Many of the buildings targeted for adaptive reuse are of considerable historic, cultural or architectural significance. Many have a level of character that is missing from so many of the more modern buildings. Not only can they be a nice place to live or work, but they can be good for business, often bestowing the prestige of the previous usage on those who set up there.
As attractive an idea as repurposing an old building can be, it’s important to understand everything that it involves. There may be heritage-related building restrictions, zoning regulations that do not currently allow your intended purpose and systems and materials that do not meet current guidelines. For example, they may contain asbestos or lack an obvious way to provide access that meets the standards required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There may also be pressure from the local community as to what happens to the place.
Repurposing an old building is a noble mission and one that can turn out great. Thorough research and planning on all that it involves is essential before you invest. Experienced legal guidance can help you decide whether an opportunity is one worth pursuing or one you should walk away from.
