Two German entrepreneurs in Berlin have been converting old factories and disused office spaces into affordable apartments for nearly 15 years as a creative solution to the housing crisis gripping Europe. Lutz Lakomski and Arndt Ulrich have transformed spaces with a history, such as a former sweets factory, a department store, and abandoned offices, into homes for around 400 residents. Initially wanting to demolish an office building to make room for commercial spaces, they were prevented by authorities and decided to convert it into apartments instead. This was not their first residential project, as they had previously transformed an empty department store into 86 apartments with shop space on the ground floor.
The entrepreneurs took great care in renovating the buildings, ensuring they met modern standards such as district heating, soundproofing, and wheelchair accessibility. The apartments, between 25 and 35 square metres, are mainly rented out to students who appreciate the new look of the space and its affordability. Despite the challenges of converting office spaces into residential buildings, Lakomski and Ulrich prioritize maintaining the buildings and visiting them regularly to check for repairs. Their attention to detail is evident in the corridors filled with art and the transformation of car parking spaces into a playground.
While the duo believes that converting office buildings into apartments could be a future housing solution for cities, they caution that bureaucracy and authorities can create barriers to such projects. They emphasize the need for cities to provide land at attractive prices and encourage municipal housing companies to build affordable and social housing. Lakomski and Ulrich advocate for proactive city planning to address the housing crisis efficiently, suggesting that housing construction should be a top priority for city leaders. They also believe that discussions about expropriation and rent caps can scare off investors, as they require long-term planning security.
The entrepreneurs express skepticism about converting buildings into offices near city centers, as prices in prime locations may not make the investment worthwhile. However, in peripheral locations where office spaces are no longer viable, converting them into apartments could be a more feasible option. Lakomski and Ulrich stress the importance of cities creating favorable conditions for private investors to invest in affordable housing projects. They believe that housing construction should be a collaborative effort between cities, politicians, and private investors to address the housing crisis effectively.
While Lakomski and Ulrich do not currently have plans to convert more spaces into apartments in Berlin, they have upcoming projects in the west German city of Koblenz. They believe that proactive city planning, attractive land prices, and collaboration between stakeholders are essential for addressing the housing crisis in European cities. The entrepreneurs highlight the need for long-term planning security for investors and emphasize the importance of streamlining bureaucratic processes to facilitate efficient housing construction. Overall, their innovative approach to converting old spaces into affordable housing demonstrates a potential solution to the housing crisis dominating Europe.
