Architect says adaptive reuse can triple usable space without expanding footprint

International architect Taras Legar says investors are overlooking value already embedded in older buildings as new construction costs rise and prime sites get harder to find. A new Realty Times column argues structural features like ceiling height, load capacity and foundation depth can unlock major gains through adaptive reuse.

Why it matters: - Adaptive reuse can create more usable space and higher value without expanding a building’s footprint. - The approach matters more now as new commercial construction costs sit at historic highs and quality locations are in short supply. - Investors with outdated buildings may be overlooking assets that could produce stronger returns after redesign.

What happened: - International architect and interior designer Taras Legar published a new expert column in Realty Times on adaptive reuse. - The column is titled “Adaptive Reuse: How Changing a Building’s Function Unlocks Hidden Real Estate Value.” - Legar drew on more than 25 years of international practice across Europe and the United States. - The column argues that buildings with outdated functions are often undervalued because their structural potential is not examined.

The details: - Legar says investors often price a building based on its current use rather than its underlying physical capacity. - He points to foundation depth, ceiling height and structural load capacity as factors that can change redevelopment economics. - A structural survey before a sale or redevelopment decision can alter the financial picture. - The column cites three case studies from Legar’s work. - One project turned a 269,000-square-foot indoor aquapark on the third floor of a major retail complex into the property’s main traffic driver. - Another transformed a 9,150-square-foot industrial warehouse into a 32,300-plus-square-foot corporate headquarters for a major technology company. - That project increased usable area by more than three times without expanding the original footprint. - A current Florida project is converting a 6,330-square-foot warehouse into a premium automotive showroom. - That project is increasing usable area by 23% through vertical zoning, using the building’s existing 24-foot ceiling height. - The column also gives investors and developers a checklist for assessing structural potential, regulatory changes and unplanned costs tied to reuse projects. - Legar is the founder of Leg-Art studio. - Legar has led large-scale commercial projects including shopping centers, casinos, corporate offices, retail spaces and hospitality environments. - Legar is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and works in both the U.S. and European markets. - More information is available in the full column. - More information about Taras Legar and Leg-Art studio is available on the company site.

Between the lines: - The column frames adaptive reuse as a value-discovery strategy, not just a design trend. - The examples suggest that physical constraints in older buildings can become advantages when the new use matches the structure. - The message is aimed at owners weighing whether to sell, redevelop or hold assets in a high-cost construction market.

What's next: - Investors and developers are likely to face more pressure to test existing buildings for reuse potential before pursuing new construction. - The practical value of adaptive reuse will depend on zoning, building codes and the economics of renovation versus replacement. - Legar’s checklist suggests that early technical and regulatory review will matter more as projects move from concept to financing decisions.