Fewer offices, shops turned into homes last year

For the fourth consecutive year, the number of homes created by converting existing buildings, such as offices and shops, has declined, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported. Last year, a total of 6,400 homes were created through such conversions, down 19 percent from 7,900 the previous year.

Of all the homes added to the housing market in 2025, 7 percent were the result of transforming existing structures, down from 9 percent the year before. The housing stock is primarily expanding through new construction. Last year, over 69,000 newly built homes were completed, a figure roughly in line with the previous year.

There was a significant drop in the number of offices converted into housing compared to 2024. In 2025, 1,700 homes were created from former office buildings, over 1,000 fewer than the year before. Despite this decline, a quarter of all converted homes still originated from office space.

Conversely, there was a slight increase in the number of homes created by repurposing retail properties: 1,255 homes in 2025, an increase of 100 compared to the previous year.

This year looks like it’s heading for another decline. Based on initial estimates, CBS reported that nearly 3,000 homes were added to the housing market through building conversions in the first half of 2026.