There needs to be a solution to the housing crisis. And for that, several hotel owners have come forward and have handed over their properties to get converted into affordable workforce housing units explains Maxwell Drever. This process became more prevalent after the hotel industry was adversely affected because of the sudden pandemic. The conversion was the only way the broken and unused hotels could be of some use.
The crucial best practices to count on
However, simply because a hotel is not in use or is distressed doesn’t mean that it is eligible to get converted into a low-cost housing system for the workforce population. There are certain requirements that one needs to look into. Maxwell Drever lists down some best practices to assess whether a hotel or an abandoned property fits the bill or not.
The favorable location
Today, several hotels across the United States are constructed in areas of high-traffic which people wish to visit. It’s essential to make sure that the hotel location is where low-income households want to reside. For instance, an active downtown region is where people wish to live irrespective of whether they are full-time residents or stay for a temporary period. On the other hand, a hotel that is located remotely and is far away from the modes of commute, might not be desirable for most people. Hence, it’s necessary to consider the strategic location of the hotel.
The main configuration
Other than a few lavish suites, the majority of hotel rooms have one bedroom. Hence, till such time you intend to develop a complete tower of studio or probably, one-bedroom apartment, it’s essential that a conversion project will need multiple units for combining to provide two or even three-bedroom facilities. And much before you can get to the design stage, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the structure and the project’s structural capacity. Here you need to check whether the property needs any extension work or repair before the conversion project. If yes, it’s essential to address the same before heading for the conversion process.
The bathroom
The moment a hotel owner starts to combine or reconfigure rooms for developing multiple bedrooms and apt living space in every unit. It is essential to eliminate and relocate a part of the bathroom space on every floor. It’s easy to say this than get it. As in the current hotel format, usually, bathrooms are situated in the central locations for the vents to line up. Hence, the moment you begin to shift the bathrooms. You must ensure that the new design enables the remaining bathrooms to function. The other option is to try and place new ductwork and vents in the current structure. Which is challenging, costly, and time-consuming.
Finally, does the hotel comprise a commercial kitchen? Does it have a full-service laundry room? Maxwell Drever says that you need to ensure that. Such features relevant for operating a hotel are not important when it comes to developing an apartment tower. The fact is it doesn’t get adapt to apartments and might be an unnecessary addition. Hence, it would help if you arrived at creative solutions to provide for the current amenities. That the workforce population needs.