Renovation or new construction? Which is cheaper / more efficient?

Hello forum members,

here is the matter: Former kindergarten. The property currently still belongs to the city. However, it will be sold in a few years. I am very interested in this property, so I roughly measured the outline using Google Maps and created a complete 3D plan based on this outline. I imagined removing the 1 two-story building's roof completely and converting this floor so that 3 apartments are created. To start with: According to Google Maps, this building is about 500 m2 in size. So, after subtracting staircases, etc., about 480 m2 remain. Theoretically, 4 apartments could be created. Then, an additional floor will be added with the same layout as the ground floor. Since the ground floor will have a terrace, I considered roof terraces for the 1st upper floor, each accessible through the respective apartment. And of course, I am also thinking about the cars, so that 8 garages will be built north of the building. Now my question to you, especially the professionals: Is it sensible to renovate the building, or is it cheaper and more efficient to demolish and build completely new?

Best regards, your new colleague :D

I doubt that the structural integrity will cooperate.
Questionable whether you are allowed to build residential housing on "municipal land for the common good". Until the whole thing is actually sold, I wouldn’t worry about it.
Often, "old kindergartens" etc. are then continued to be used as clubhouses and the like. In other words, the non-profit clubs lease or buy the land. Are you sure it is supposed to be sold into private hands?
Is there a development plan? Or is one currently being created? What is the neighboring development like?
Google Maps is a decidedly unsuitable partner for surveying and planning houses,...

Hello Wastl,

yes, it is indeed a municipal area, but our region is so small, within a radius of about 1.5 km there is only 1 bakery and 1 supermarket. There is also a primary and elementary school, plus the 2 kindergartens. Otherwise, regarding clubs, nothing is represented. A retirement home wouldn't fit anyway, as everything is far away from the next opportunity. So the city only has the option to sell to private individuals. And in the neighborhood, there are many houses with a ground floor + 1 upper floor. Upper floor + attic, with a 45-degree roof. There are also bungalow-like buildings on the same street, with only a ground floor. And what do you mean by the statics? Why shouldn't it handle it? It is only 1 floor that comes above, the roof terrace does not count as its own floor. Approximately, my plan will exceed the current height of the buildings by at most 4 meters.

Hello,

I am so interested in this property that I measured the approximate outline from Google Maps and made a complete 3D plan based on this outline.

I keep learning o_O

I imagined it this way, to completely remove the roof of the one two-story building and convert this floor so that three apartments are created from it...

You can imagine a lot of things. Have you ever thought that the structural engineering of the existing building was calculated exclusively for its use as a kindergarten and is by no means suitable to support additional floors?

I remain curious to find out what the building planning office has to contribute regarding your ideas :cool:

Rhenish greetings

Oooooppps,

I didn't think about that at all just now. Static load, whether the walls can carry another floor above. That will be very tricky, as the walls there are very thin. So is a new building better?

New construction is always better, and apparently you don't have to worry about money if you want to build an 8-unit residential building without much knowledge.