Building from the shell of an older structure can be more costly than demolishing and building from scratch. There may be structural problems which must be repaired. The interior walls of many older buildings cannot be easily moved because they may be essential for the structural support. What's more, the remodeled building must meet the most current fire and safety codes. Provisions must be made for handicap accessibility.
A whopping 20 percent of the overall construction budget may be consumed by the cost of removing toxic materials such as asbestos and lead-based paint. To make matters worse, an old industrial structure simply may not provide a suitable environment for non-industrial uses such as museums, theaters, shopping enters or schools.
