Conversion of a property complex into offices and housing, Avenue de Courcelles, in Paris's 8th arrondissement, March 17, 2025. MICHEL GAILLARD/REA
Until now, there was little enthusiasm for converting the hundreds of thousands of square meters of empty office space surrounding Paris into much-needed housing, despite the desperate need among families, students, single parents and low-income households. Owners and investors pointed to technical hurdles, restrictive regulations and limited profitability (often valid reasons) to justify the status quo. Most elected officials were also reluctant to act: vacant commercial buildings still generated tax revenue for local authorities, while new housing meant increased spending on schools and sports facilities, inseparable from welcoming new residents and often straining municipal budgets.
It took a special project tender – a call for proposals launched in spring 2025 by regional authorities, offering financial incentives and permit help. It unearthed 101 projects; 61 were selected, mostly in the inner suburbs but spanning all eight departments in the Paris region, based on feasibility, preference for conversions over demolition and proximity to metro stations on Grand Paris Express (a major new public transporation network).
