JACKSONVILLE, FL—The adaptive reuse trend seems to be gaining momentum. Adaptive reuse projects are creating new opportunities for developers that discern diamonds in the rough and are willing to risk unexpected challenges to drive a potentially significant profit.

Of course, not every distressed commercial real estate asset is a strong candidate for adaptive reuse and some markets are riper than others for opportunities. But the quest to restore strategic assets to new glory and the potential for attractive ROI are driving creative-minded developers to explore what is becoming a hot trend.

“One difference between large-scale adaptive re-use and new construction is the GC's approach to layout,” James Sutton, senior manager of Gordon's Castle, a Florida green building company in Jacksonville, FL, tells GlobeSt.com. “With new construction, the architect's plans not only represent his intent, the dimensions are 90% to 100% accurate.”