Which characteristic limits the use of special-purpose buildings?

Special-purpose buildings are designed for specific, singular functions, which greatly influences their marketability and usefulness beyond their intended purpose. The physical characteristics of these buildings are tailored to meet the specialized needs required by their function, such as unique layouts, specialized equipment or facilities, and design features that may not be easily adaptable for other uses. For example, a movie theater has particular architectural requirements that make it suitable for showing films but not practical for office space or retail.

While maintenance costs, location, and size can affect a building's usability, the defining factor that limits the flexibility and potential reuse of special-purpose buildings is fundamentally tied to their physical characteristics. This specificity makes them less versatile in a dynamic market context, which specifically impacts their desirability when the original function is no longer viable.