Office-to-Residential Conversions: Staffing Challenges and Solutions

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The buzz around office-to-residential conversions is happening, and it’s happening fast. As cities nationwide reimagine skylines filled with half-empty office buildings, a new opportunity is emerging. Turning outdated workspaces into vibrant apartment communities.

Conversions bring a whole new set of challenges for property management professionals. While the real estate team navigates zoning, permits, and plumbing, the workforce side requires just as much attention. Let’s explore the staffing hurdles and how to confidently overcome them.

Office-to-Residential Conversions: Staffing Challenges

Challenge 1: The Shift in Skill Sets

Converting an office tower into a residential property means bringing in staff who are comfortable with an entirely different set of operational requirements. Office maintenance teams may have worked with HVAC systems designed for large-scale commercial use; residential units require a different touch.

Solution: Staffing needs to be reskilled and reshaped. Offer modular training that covers:

• Apartment turnover procedures

• Unit-based maintenance systems

• Customer service for residents

• Lease-up process for newly opened residential buildings

BGSF can source and place professionals who are already certified, or eager to be, in these specialized areas. And we can help support this upskilling through our Maintenance Training Program.

Challenge 2: Temporary Talent for a Transitional Phase

Conversions don’t happen overnight. Many projects run in phases, meaning your staff needs to ebb and flow. During the lease-up stage, you might need a small army of leasing agents. But post-stabilization? You’ll need long-term techs and a lean onsite team.

Solution: Partner with us for contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire positions to help you scale up and down, fast. Whether you need groundskeepers one week and bilingual leasing agents the next, we’ve got you covered.

Challenge 3: Culture Clashes from Commercial to Residential

Our research shows that poor management and toxic culture are among the top reasons for attrition. And let’s face it, teams managing a business park have a very different rhythm than those running a 200-unit multifamily complex.

Solution: Build a bridge, not a divide. As your property shifts purpose, leadership needs to evolve too. Focus on:

• Supportive, residential-focused leadership development

• Clear communication channels during transition

• A culture that celebrates flexibility, not just enforces it

Challenge 4: Finding Staff Who Fit the Future

For a successful transition, you need people who are both qualified for today's goals and ready to grow with the future of adaptive reuse properties.

Solution: Use data to drive your hiring strategy. From our proprietary survey insights, we know what top talent is looking for: career growth, positive culture, and flexibility. BGSF connects you to candidates aligned with this mindset. People who are ready to grow with your property, not just work on it.

From Office to Opportunity

As more cities lean into adaptive reuse, staffing can no longer be an afterthought. From pre-lease strategy to long-term retention, office-to-residential conversions require thoughtful, agile talent strategies. Whether you’re planning your first conversion or scaling up your portfolio, our property management experts are here to help you turn challenges into momentum.

Ready to build your dream team? Let’s talk. Contact us today and let’s turn your staffing strategy into your strongest asset.