NEW YORK CITY—In New York, neighborhoods are constantly reinvented, but classic architectural landmarks continue to dot the skyline—often due to city and dogged preservation groups' efforts. But this also requires the nuts and bolts design, construction and funding from the CRE world.

“The unique thing is every type of building has been reclaimed or recycled or reused,” said Howard Zimmerman, principal of Howard L. Zimmerman Architects, a panelist in an adaptive reuse session on Jan. 27. It was part of the City of Tomorrow: Real Estate, Architecture & Design Summit, produced by the 92nd Street Y and Hundred Stories. “I have looked at every neighborhood with developer clients, scratching my head when we went to look at a building, thinking why are we here? And who would ever think of moving here?” asked Zimmerman.

But he has a list of garages, office buildings, manufacturing spaces, hospitals and even meat lockers, which have all been converted to residential uses, in thriving, new neighborhoods.