The dream of turning empty office blocks into apartments appears over. What went wrong?

<p>Strict planning rules and soaring refit costs are deterring landlords and developers, amid calls for government intervention to alleviate housing crunch</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/oct/12/australia-news-live-pro-palestine-rally-sydney-optus-anthony-albanese-sussan-ley">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Two years ago, state and local governments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/18/nsw-labor-eyes-vacant-offices-as-option-to-boost-social-housing-stock">pushed to fast-track conversions of near-empty offices</a> into much-needed apartments to alleviate a housing crunch.</p><p>The promised panacea never eventuated.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/12/converting-empty-office-blocks-apartments-appears-over">Continue reading...</a>