The eventual solution to the issue , whenever it comes , will likely involve changes to zoning regulations , favorable tax treatment and other thorny , elemental changes . It ’ s not going to be a quick or easy fix .

One company that believes it has a solution is The Gettys Group Companies , which was founded in Chicago 35 years ago and now has offices as well in Manila and Jeddah . It develops and oversees projects around the globe as brand builders , interior designers , developers and purchasers , including FF & E procurement , freight management and installation oversight for hotels at every segment .

Recently , they ’ ve taken on these “ undead ” buildings , seeking to transform them into

bottom-line-friendly successes . “ There is a tremendous number of office buildings , comprising a staggering number of square feet , that are losing their viability ,” Roger Hill , cofounder and executive chairman of the board of directors at The Gettys Group Companies . “ Buildings , particularly , but not exclusively , Class B and Class C , are at risk of irrelevance now , because people are downsizing and reducing their demand for office space .”

Reviving a zombie building presents a unique time of opportunity and a civic good , argued Hill . “ Repurposing office and retail buildings is of enormous importance to cities and towns of all sizes ,” he said . “ Successful repurposing isn ’ t as straightforward as many imagine ,” however . “ It requires cooperation politically , financially and civically , and not all buildings are good candidates . You need to look at a lot of buildings before you can find one that makes economic sense . It takes creativity and experience to recognize the opportunities and challenges , invest appropriately , and renovate strategically .

“ Even if you ’ re given a building for free or have a lot of space that you don ’ t need within an existing building , there are still costs and

logistical challenges associated with renovating , and making that space occupiable and functional ,” Hill continued . “ It ’ s important , as you study potential office building conversions , to look for buildings whose original shape is efficient in order to make them financially viable .” ( Typically , the best is a shallow , rectangular building .)

Hill pointed to one recent project , the Hotel Verdant , in Racine , Wisc ., that involved converting a historic retail building — the long-vacant Zahn Department Store — into a boutique , sustainably built hotel designed , as Hill put it , to be “ the living room of Racine ,” with ample of areas for visitors and locals to rest , meet and dine .

The cofounders of The Gettys Group Companies : Roger Hill , executive chairman , and Andrew Fay , president .

This project was , and remains , extraordinarily close to Hill ’ s heart . “ I remember being a little boy playing in the store when my mom was shopping , Hill , a native of Racine , said .” Zahn ’ s had a floor completely dedicated to women ’ s fashion , and when I was very little , I would play hide-and-seek in there , under the dress racks , during the time my mom was in the dressing room , after which she would come and find me — no doubt exaggerating the difficulty of doing so , to increase my delight . All these years later , it ’ s heartening to be involved in ushering the building into the next chapter of its life .” Hill said that there exist both state and federal tax credits to reward developers for preserving an historic building that is being

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