Office-to-residential conversions are tough. Could dorm-style co-living be the answer?

While converting offices to microapartments can be 25% to 35% cheaper than traditional apartment conversions, such projects still face financial and zoning barriers, Pew and Gensler researchers said.

AI can optimize most sustainable asset retrofit tasks: JLL

Currently available artificial intelligence technology can add the most value in portfolio prioritization, energy auditing and modeling, construction management and stakeholder data sharing, the firm says.

Vacant office space is costing US cities billions in annual rental losses: report

Residential conversion challenges call into question their potential role in stemming the rent losses in cities including New York and Los Angeles, Switch On Business says.

Through education partnerships, Johnson Controls looks to get its ‘fair share’ of technical talent

Johnson Controls Academy is accelerating employee onboarding as its Community College Partnership Program boosts technician training nationwide.

Building retrofit data sheds light on energy efficiency: Harvard study

A two-year dataset on a residential-to-office building retrofit shows how low-energy and passive building systems can boost performance and sustainability in future projects, according to a paper published in Scientific Data.

Many middle-market firms in ESG ‘wait and see’ mode: RSM survey

While about 75% of respondents noted they have begun training staff and investing in technology to prepare for new climate-related regulations, 56% said they are waiting on the U.S. election outcome before taking further action.

Schneider Electric to buy 75% stake in data center cooling firm Motivair

The investment in the maker of direct-to-chip cooling and high-capacity thermal solutions is part of an effort to strengthen its position in data centers, Schneider Electric says.

Space configuration, noise, interruption among in-office concerns

Although the desire for face-to-face collaboration motivates employees to return to the office, they spend 64% of their time at their desks on focus work, according to a new Unispace survey.

NFL stadiums could face up to $11B climate risk price tag by 2050: report

Climate X's findings on climate risks and their potential impact on stadium usability should serve as a “wake-up call for the NFL, stadium owners, and local governments,” said its CEO, Lukky Ahmed.

ISS North America appoints former CBRE exec as COO

Tim Dismond will help lead the company’s attempts to capitalize on the transformation occurring in the current workplace and facilities market, ISS North America CEO Steve Quick said.

Modine adds 2 new infrared heaters to meet demand for outdoor heating

The low-intensity tube heaters, available in natural gas or propane configurations, feature durable aluminum housing and stainless steel flexible gas connectors, the company says.

IBM acquires Prescinto to bolster renewable energy asset management capabilities

The deal will enhance the functionality of its asset lifecycle management platform, helping operators monitor and optimize renewable energy assets in near real-time, IBM says.

Cleanliness, safety gaps in healthcare workspaces affect employee retention, survey finds

Employees eyeing exits in the next 12 months were likely to report dissatisfaction with employee offices and break rooms that were unsafe, unclean or had inadequate sound privacy, per a JLL report. 

King Energy secures $10M for rooftop solar financing model

The company, which installs solar panels on unused roof space, provides commercial property owners with a “simple, no-nonsense way” to trim operational costs and carbon footprints, CEO John Witchel said.

California enrolls 515 MW in load management program featuring 200 MW virtual power plant

More than a quarter of a million participants are helping to ensure a reliable electric grid during extreme demand, the California Energy Commission said.

WeWork adds locations via workspace affiliate program launch

A new partnership with Vast Coworking Group supports the new network, which comes as many organizations look to increase flexible and coworking space.

Key building sustainability announcements from Climate Week NYC 2024

New building decarbonization tools from Schneider Electric and Siemens and the development of a large airport microgrid were among the initiatives announced during the weeklong event in New York City.

Union election petitions spike

NLRB also reported an increase in unfair labor practice charges, attributing the surges to workers better understanding their rights.

Q3 office leasing demand hit new post-pandemic highs: JLL

Shrinking construction pipelines and renewal and sublease growth have driven down availability rates for the first time since 2019, but rent growth is moderating, JLL says.

Skilled trades gain traction with Gen Z: report

Social media influence and the potential for greater economic security might be behind the growth, according to the report from home services app Thumbtack. 

From schools to stadiums: Tips for zero waste at large venues

Schools, restaurants, hotels and sports stadiums are strategizing how to implement reusable container solutions and reduce waste, speakers at the National Zero Waste Conference said.

CBRE acquires NRG Energy’s renewable advisory group

The deal will bolster its ability to help clients integrate renewable energy across their real estate portfolios and facilitate clean power deals, CBRE says.

CoreLogic launches AI-enabled property and location intelligence platform

Araya aims to bring together previously siloed property, market and risk data with predictive models to support property decision-making.

5 tips for businesses filing hurricane-related insurance claims

With Hurricanes Helene and Milton estimated to have cost tens of billions of dollars in damage, it’s important for businesses to carefully document the impact when filing insurance claims, experts say.

FM:Systems adds Johnson Controls’ NetZero Advisor sustainability tool to its workplace analytics platform

The integration will bring together office utilization and energy consumption data in the FMS:Insights platform to help users optimize energy use and cut costs, the Johnson Controls subsidiary says.