Real Estate News 24

Real Estate News 24

Nancy Ruddy on Commercial-to-Residential Conversions

Beth McCandry

As CetraRuddy turns 35 this year, the veteran reveals details about her restoration and conversion work, but also recounts her journey. Tune in for the latest Mission Success Podcast!

Nancy Ruddy, co-founder of CetraRuddy. Image courtesy of CetraRuddy

More than 20,000 units in older buildings previously used for other purposes were completed in the US last year, nearly double the number of home conversions in 2020 and 2019 combined, it said RentCafe.

And the trend is catching on nationwide. The same apartment search site shows that around 52,700 units are expected to become available by the end of this year, with offices accounting for a quarter of future residential communities.

Architecture and interior design office CetraRuddy is currently working on six conversion projects, most of them in New York City. And while each new development has its unique challenges, they all have one thing in common: They must make the user feel at home, according to Nancy Ruddy, co-founder of CetraRuddy.

“Architecture should do what a great home does, which is to lay the foundation for a truly fulfilling life,” said Ruddy, Multi-Housing News senior editor Laura Calugar, on the first episode of the Mission Success: Women podcast series in Multifamily” from the year 2022.

The two had an in-depth conversation about the trend of converting commercial space into residential buildings and the impact of the health crisis on apartment building design. Towards the end of the discussion, Calugar asked Ruddy to remember their work as CetraRuddy celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

  • How to tackle the commercial to residential conversion (0:50)
  • Most Common Challenges (4:40)
  • Mixed Use Developments (10:35)
  • Adaptive Reuse Projects (13:15)
  • Pandemic Design Trends for Apartment Buildings (16:10)
  • Adaptive Reuse in New York City (24:00)
  • CetraRuddy 35th Anniversary (28:10)
  • Why Choose a Career in Architecture (31:10)

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