B
oston's planning department has approved two downtown office building conversions into residential units. The projects, located in the Financial District and North End, will bring new housing to underutilized historic buildings.

    Developer Dinosaur Capital Partners is converting 9 Arch St. into a mixed-use building with 110 rental units, including 22 affordable units. The exterior facade will remain intact, and the U.S. Post Office will retain its ground-floor space. Copper Mill developers are behind the North End project at 123 N. Washington St., which will create 45 new rental units, seven of which will be affordable.

    Both projects have zero parking included. Board members discussed the history of the North End building, which was once a kitchen supply store and later a candy factory. The approvals are part of a tax incentive program to boost residential development in Boston's core. The city aims to convert over 600,000 square feet of office space into housing units.

    Boston's downtown office vacancy is around 20%, while residential vacancy is about 4%. The conversion program offers developers a 29-year, 75% residential abatement and fast-tracked permitting. Projects must include at least 17% affordable units and preserve ground-floor retail. The city hopes to revitalize 1,000 new housing units and 1 million square feet by 2026.