Published on March 1, 2025
Once upon a time, office towers bustled with employees sipping burnt coffee and avoiding small talk near the printer. But in today’s world, more desks sit empty than ever before.
So, what’s the grand plan? Let them collect dust? Or could we transform these vacant spaces into economic and social assets? Sir Looniesworth has some thoughts—and yes, they include both seniors and salads.
The Office Vacancy Dilemma
Since remote work took off, Canada’s downtown office vacancy rate has climbed to over 17% in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver.1 That’s a lot of unused square footage that could be doing… well, anything more useful than hosting forgotten chairs.
Historically, empty buildings spell bad news for city economies:
- Lost property tax revenue
- Reduced business for surrounding shops and services
- Depreciating real estate values
Clearly, leaving these spaces vacant isn’t an option. But instead of waiting for a corporate comeback, what if we got creative?
Option 1: Senior Community Housing
Here’s a thought—why not turn empty office buildings into urban retirement communities? With over 7 million Canadians expected to be over 65 by 2030,2 demand for senior housing is set to skyrocket.
Why it works:
- Office towers are centrally located—near hospitals, transit, and services.
- Adaptive reuse is cheaper than new construction.
- Seniors benefit from urban living rather than being isolated in suburban developments.
Plus, let’s be honest—retrofitting cubicles into cozy apartments might finally justify those absurd open-concept designs.
Option 2: Vertical Farms
Ever thought of replacing corner offices with lettuce and kale? No? Well, urban vertical farming is already happening.
Cities like Montreal and Vancouver are home to multi-story farms growing fresh produce year-round, reducing reliance on long-haul transportation and improving food security.3
The benefits:
- Uses 95% less water than traditional farming.
- Reduces carbon emissions by cutting transportation needs.
- Creates jobs in sustainable agriculture.
And unlike some executives, plants never demand corner offices or bonus packages.
Option 3: Affordable Housing & Live-Work Spaces
Housing affordability in Canada is, to put it mildly, a disaster. The average home price is now over $700,000 in major cities,4 making ownership unattainable for many. So why not convert empty office buildings into affordable apartments or live-work spaces?
Why it makes sense:
- Speeds up housing supply without massive land purchases.
- Encourages mixed-use communities.
- Supports young professionals, artists, and startups.
With remote work sticking around, live-work hybrids could redefine how we use space—making “the office” a place you actually want to be.
The Economic Bottom Line
Repurposing empty offices isn’t just a feel-good idea—it’s an economic necessity. Instead of waiting for corporations to refill these towers, cities should incentivize conversions into housing, agriculture, and community hubs.
| Solution | Key Benefit | Estimated Cost Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Housing | Addresses aging population | 30% cheaper than new builds5 |
| Vertical Farms | Sustainable food production | Saves 95% on water usage |
| Affordable Housing | Eases housing crisis | Faster than new developments |
If we don’t act, we risk empty buildings dragging down city economies. But if we do? We could turn idle space into places where people actually want to live, work, and thrive.
After all, if we’re already reinventing the workplace, why not reinvent the workplace itself?
Sources
1 CBRE Canada Office Vacancy Report, 2024.
2 Statistics Canada, Senior Population Projections.
3 Urban Farming Canada, Vertical Agriculture Trends.
4 Canadian Real Estate Association, Housing Market Data.
5 Infrastructure Canada, Retrofitting vs. New Construction Costs.