@ifixcoinops buildings used to just have a boiler to handle combined heat/hotwater. Some buildings have a central chiller to handle multiple HVAC units. Water/steam pipes everywhere. So yeah it can be done. There are some downsides.
people figured out piping all that hot water and steam around was a bit of a hazard and leaks are a big problem. I can't even count how many times my building has had chiller line leaks that wrecked the ceiling tiles and carpet.