You can live in an old D.C. school, attached to an art museum

The next in-demand apartment could be inside an old Washington school.

The big picture: Former schools accounted for 3% of U.S. apartment conversions in 2023, data shared with Axios shows.

• Former offices and hotels dominate the national conversion trend, comprising 28% and 36% of newly completed projects, according to a RentCafe analysis .

Why it matters: As cities and developers seek to repurpose empty space into much-needed housing , a mix of building types are on the table.

Zoom in: D.C. is among metros leading school and office-to-apartment conversions across the U.S., per RentCafe data shared with Axios.

• Most recently, the former Elizabeth G. Randall Junior High School project in Southwest D.C. was converted into The Rubell Museum and an apartment complex called Gallery 64 .

While turning cafeterias and gyms into homes is easier said than done, state and federal historic preservation tax credits can incentivize school flips.

• School buildings can also offer more of the natural light renters want, compared to offices, developers say.