Burnham Nationwide is helping developers speed up adaptive reuse projects as Los Angeles faces a record 34% office vacancy rate. With city leaders pushing to turn empty offices into much‑needed housing, developers are facing some difficulties. Complex permits and strict building codes can delay construction - sometimes for weeks or even months. Burnham supports teams with permit expediting and code consulting to keep these projects moving
Vacant office buildings present both an opportunity and a challenge. Towers can be transformed into apartments, dorm‑style housing, or co‑living spaces, offering a real solution to Los Angeles’ growing need for residential units. But missing just one permit step or code requirement can bring an entire project to a halt. That’s where Burnham Nationwide comes in. Their permit expediting and code consulting services guide developers from start to finish, helping ensure projects stay compliant, avoid surprises, and keep moving forward.
“Even a small permit error or code oversight can stall a project for weeks." said Casey Reilly, Director of Operations, California. “Our services keep projects moving. We make sure everything is correct before it reaches the city.
The Urgent Need for Adaptive Reuse in Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles now has 65 million square feet of empty office space, according to CBRE. Remote work and corporate downsizing have left many offices vacant, and new development patterns have created entire empty floors. At the same time, the city faces an urgent housing shortage. Adaptive reuse, converting offices into residential units, offers one of the fastest ways to respond.
To support this shift, the City of Los Angeles passed an Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in 2022 that aims to streamline approvals and encourage redevelopment of underused buildings. Additional zoning proposals and planning reforms are also under review to make these conversions easier.
Across the country, office-to-residential conversions are picking up pace. In 2024, the adaptive reuse of offices for housing was expected to grow by as much as 63% over the prior year, and some projects cost up to 30% less than building new homes. (Planetizen). A Colorado study found that 70% of residential‑zoned land blocks affordable housing options like duplexes and townhomes - making adaptive reuse even more critical to increasing supply (Colorado Sun).
For Los Angeles, adaptive reuse could add thousands of housing units. But first, developers must navigate the city’s challenging permit process and keep up with changing building codes.
Why Permits and Code Consulting Matter
Adaptive reuse is not as simple as drawing new floor plans. Developers must comply with:
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Fire safety and sprinkler system upgrades
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Seismic retrofitting for older structures
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ADA accessibility standards
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Zoning and use changes for residential conversion
Each step involves submittals, reviews, and approvals from multiple city departments. Missing one document or misinterpreting a code update can delay a project for months.
This is where Burnham Nationwide makes the difference. Their permit expediting and code consulting services keep projects moving. The team reviews plans early and identifies any issues. They coordinate directly with city reviewers to prevent costly rejections.
“Adaptive reuse is the future of Los Angeles construction." said a Burnham Nationwide spokesperson. “With our permit expediting and code consulting developers can turn empty offices into homes."
Burnham in Action: Proven Results in LA
Burnham Nationwide has a long history of supporting Los Angeles’ most high‑profile developments through expert permit expediting and code consulting. Their work showcases how early involvement and strategic coordination can keep even the most complex projects on track.
For the Wilshire Grand Center, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the Western U.S., Burnham facilitated several critical components of the permitting and construction process. They worked closely with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to create a phased permit plan, negotiated downtown street closures for weekend construction, and coordinated community and police outreach to maintain a 24/7 construction schedule.
Burnham also played a key role in permitting for the ConvergenceLA installation, a large-scale public digital art project. Their team managed architectural, structural, and electrical permitting, helping bring this unique installation to life while supporting the city’s growing investment in digital public art.
Why Developers Choose Burnham Nationwide
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Faster approvals through expert permit expediting
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Early code consulting to prevent surprises and delays
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ADA and safety compliance reviews for adaptive reuse projects
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Direct city coordination to resolve issues quickly
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Proven success with large‑scale LA projects and office conversions
The Burnham Advantage for Los Angeles Developers
Vacant offices are becoming the city’s next wave of housing. Every day of delay costs developers time and revenue. Partnering with Burnham Nationwide ensures your project moves smoothly.
Construction projects face costly delays without the right support. Burnham Nationwide provides permit expediting and code consulting to prevent setbacks. Our team helps you get approvals faster and stay compliant. Start your next project with Burnham Nationwide and keep it on schedule.
About Burnham Nationwide
Burnham Nationwide works in over 3,000 municipalities across the United States and has a diverse client base from Fortune 200 companies to specialized architectural and development firms. Burnham offers a systematic, professional approach that streamlines and navigates the complex planning, submission, and approval process with Building Departments and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) so you don’t have to.
With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Burnham is the trusted project manager for established firms that expect consistent and dependable execution for every project. Burnham obtains upwards of nearly 10,000 permits and licenses annually. The tenure of the staff, their genuine passion for safety and precision, and their commitment to timely delivery set them apart from the competition - encapsulated in their credo of “Simply Getting It Done.”
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Media Contact:
Burnham Nationwide, Inc.
515 S Figueroa St Suite 1275, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (213) 233 - 2133
Website: https://www.burnhamnationwide.com
Email: getitdone@burnhamnationwide.com
newsroom: news.38digitalmarket.com
Source: 38 Digital Market News
Release ID: 1777674
