A Wave of New Apartment Buildings Is Set to Take Over Midtown Manhattan

Market Trend & Conversion Overview - Manhattan sees a trend of converting 12.4 million square feet of old offices into housing, equivalent to about four Empire State buildings [2] - New York's office supply has already dropped nearly 2% since 2023, with a potential further decrease of 7% if all proposed projects are realized [3] - This additional 7% represents more than 21 million square feet of office space [4] Location & Driving Factors - Half of the office conversions are happening in Midtown Manhattan [2] - High interest rates and remote work have dragged down Midtown office values, making conversions attractive [2] - Before the pandemic, conversions were primarily downtown due to cheaper buildings and zoning incentives [2] Financials & Incentives - Similar office conversion units in the area project monthly rents ranging from $4,000 for a studio to $20,000 for a 3-bedroom [1] - New York offers tax breaks like 467 million for up to 35 years as incentives for conversions [4] Challenges & Considerations - Building interiors need redesign, including wall removal, window replacement, and plumbing relaying, making conversions complex and costly [5] - Not every building is suitable for conversion into apartments [4]