Too many offices, not enough homes: can conversions work? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 10, 2026 · 17 MIN

Too many offices, not enough homes: can conversions work?

from Business Daily · host BBC World Service

John Laurenson reports from La Défense in Paris on how Europe's biggest business district is turning vacant office space into housing. As hybrid working leaves more offices underused, cities are rethinking the future of these buildings. We compare developments in Paris with efforts in London and Washington DC and ask whether converting offices into homes could help tackle housing shortages and revive struggling business districts.Presenter/producer: John LaurensonYou can email the team: [email protected](Picture: People walking in La Défense business district in Paris. Credit: John Laurenson)

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 10, 2026

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Too many offices, not enough homes: can conversions work?

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