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

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

Aug 10, 2026
17:29
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About this episode

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 Laurenson You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: People walking in La Défense business district in Paris. Credit: John Laurenson)

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Episode Details

Author
BBC World Service
Show Type
full
Audio Format
audio/mpeg

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