With over 12 million square metres of office space currently unoccupied, Germany’s housing crisis has led policymakers to consider repurposing commercial properties as a solution. The federal government’s €300 million “Commercial to Residential” programme, launched in July, offers grants to support these conversions, contingent upon meeting energy-efficiency standards. Major cities like Berlin and Munich are spearheading initiatives to facilitate this transition, with Berlin’s Greens proposing a dedicated agency to streamline the process. Despite the potential for creating up to 60,000 new apartments, experts caution that significant challenges remain, including the need for extensive renovations to meet residential safety and accessibility standards. Nonetheless, some office buildings from the 1980s onward may be suitable for conversion, provided they are selected judiciously.