KPF, in partnership with the Urban Land Institute (ULI), is pleased to announce the release of “What’s Old Is New: Making the Business Case for Urban Adaptive Reuse.”
This landmark report underscores adaptive reuse as a compelling strategy for commercial real estate companies to achieve both financial success and meaningful community impact. The research examines three transformative projects—West Bottoms Flats in Kansas City, Congress Square in Boston, and KPF’s own Oriente Green Campus in Lisbon—each representing a unique approach to revitalizing existing buildings. Through detailed case studies and expert interviews, the report demonstrates that adaptive reuse can deliver a “triple bottom line” of economic, environmental, and social benefits. These projects not only yield strong financial returns and increased property values, but also reduce embodied carbon emissions by up to 60% compared to new construction, support job creation, and foster vibrant, resilient neighborhoods.
A key contribution of the report is the introduction of a holistic urban revitalization framework, enabling stakeholders to assess economic, environmental, and social outcomes. The findings highlight that adaptive reuse is most successful when supported by experienced, multidisciplinary teams and collaborative partnerships with local communities and policymakers.
The report was commissioned by the Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate at ULI; authored by Lori Ferriss, Co-founder of the Built Buildings Lab; and supported by the ULI Kohn/KPF Fellowship, which honors the legacy of KPF co-founder and ULI Life Trustee A. Eugene Kohn by advancing industry knowledge and best practices in sustainable urban development.
Join KPF and ULI in New York City on Wednesday, June 25, for a special launch event to hear from Lori Ferriss from the Built Buildings Lab and leading real estate experts how adaptive reuse is proving it’s good for the climate, cities, and business. Learn more and register here.
Explore the full report here, and learn more about KPF’s commitment to adaptive reuse and urban revitalization here.
