IRVINE, CA—Sometimes it's cost effective for universities to repurpose an existing historical structure versus starting from scratch, but it's not easy; it takes research and expertise to make sure that its done properly, Ken Ryan, principal and head of KTGY Architecture + Planning's Community Planning and Urban Design Studio, tells GlobeSt.com. As we recently reported, the City of Orange has approved the development of a 402-bed student-housing building for upperclassmen and adaptive reuse of a local historic asset for use as a museum and student-services center for Chapman University. The project, owned and developed by Chapman University, will utilize the Villa Park Orchards Association Packing House, a historic resource in Old Towne Orange.
We spoke with Ryan about why it makes sense for universities to repurpose historic assets in this way, what the drawbacks are and the challenges that need to be overcome in the design and development phase.
GlobeSt.com: Why does it make sense for universities to repurpose historical assets for their own uses?
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Carrie Rossenfeld
Carrie Rossenfeld is a reporter for the San Diego and Orange County markets on GlobeSt.com and a contributor to Real Estate Forum. She was a trade-magazine and newsletter editor in New York City before moving to Southern California to become a freelance writer and editor for magazines, books and websites. Rossenfeld has written extensively on topics including commercial real estate, running a medical practice, intellectual-property licensing and giftware. She has edited books about profiting from real estate and has ghostwritten a book about starting a home-based business.
