Converting offices to housing could revitalize downtowns in the Twin Cities, but at what cost? – Star Tribune

Transforming the heart of the two centers, which have much larger old warehouse buildings, will take much more money, creativity and time. Josh Thalberg, managing director of downtown Minneapolis brokerage JLL, said that since there are no major residential developments on the drawing board in either downtown, the park of vacant office buildings represents a golden opportunity to create more housing and lead both cities in a new direction.

“You can certainly see the fundamentals improving and you can feel that vibrancy, and that’s ultimately the foundation that’s needed to get investors to reinvest in the city,” he said. “But it’s not like these 18-wheelers can turn on a dime.”