Ever wondered what happens to old, forgotten buildings? While many fall into disrepair, some incredible structures get a second chance at life. Visionary people see beyond the dust and decay, transforming them into truly unique and breathtaking homes. It’s a testament to creativity and the enduring appeal of history meeting modern comfort.
Get ready to be amazed as we explore ten abandoned buildings that have been creatively and resourcefully converted into awesome new homes. These transformations are guaranteed to surprise you and might even spark your own renovation dreams!
10 A Public Bathroom
Imagine living in a place that once served as a public restroom. Sounds unusual, right? Architect Laura Clark saw potential in a derelict public bathroom in London. She envisioned a sleek, modern one-bedroom apartment where others saw only disused stalls.
Clark shared her passion, saying, “For me, that’s about saving sites with an interesting history, but which have been abandoned and forgotten.” This dedication truly shines. It took her six long years to get approval from housing authorities to redesign the space. But she did it! The old stalls and sinks were ingeniously converted into a cozy bedroom, a welcoming living room, a functional kitchen, and, of course, a new bathroom. It even boasts its own private terrace. It’s a quirky beginning for a beautiful home.
9 A British Castle
Astley Castle in Warwickshire, England, has a history stretching back to the 1100s. Over centuries, it transitioned from a manor house to a formidable castle. It witnessed crumbling, rebuilding, and even served as a troop garrison during the English Civil War, only to fall into disrepair again. Fortunately, in 2012, the castle’s remaining ancient walls were ingeniously blended into a striking new, modern home.
Today, this unique property is available for rent. Guests experience a stunning fusion of ancient stone and contemporary brickwork. Instead of completely demolishing or over-repairing the eroded stone, renovators chose to preserve its character. They filled the empty sections with new brick, creating an entirely unique and incredibly cozy dwelling. One can only hope it’s as structurally sound as it is beautiful, given its historic foundations!
8 A Water Tower
Water tower homes are dotted across the globe, each offering a unique take on creative renovation. However, the Sunset Beach water tower in Sunset Beach, California, stands out, particularly for its prime location and breathtaking views. This impressive 87-foot-tall tower was originally built in the 1890s.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that this functional structure was transformed into a remarkable home. All four stories of the house cleverly utilize its circular design, featuring wraparound windows and even a wraparound porch. Situated just a block from the Pacific Ocean and the aptly named Sunset Beach, the panoramic views it offers are simply stunning. It’s a perfect example of utilitarian architecture becoming a unique living space.
7 A World War II Railcar
In Fort Collins, Colorado, a couple embarked on an ambitious project: building their own tiny home from an unexpected source – a salvaged railcar from World War II. They made a conscious decision to preserve the railcar’s original exterior. Every scratch, ding, and dent accumulated over its long service life remains visible.
This weathered exterior provides a striking contrast to the beautifully crafted new interior. Inside, the space feels like a cozy retreat Bob Ross himself would adore. It features vintage furniture, exposed hardwood in many areas, and hand-painted murals on the remaining walls. Abundant flowers and blankets, combined with plentiful light from the vaulted roof, make it difficult to imagine a home more deserving of the word “charming.”
6 A Bridge
The river that once flowed beneath a covered bridge just outside Nevada City, California, has long since dried up. This change rendered the bridge obsolete for its original purpose. However, its story didn’t end there. The structure was cleverly converted into a chic, loft-style home and, for a time, a hotel.
The interior design boasts a contemporary European flair that comes together beautifully. Perhaps the most striking feature is that the entire 100-foot-plus length of the bridge is visible from any point inside. The house is characteristically long and narrow, creating the unique and somewhat surreal impression of an average home’s rooms being arranged in a single line, with all intervening walls removed. Although it operated as a hotel for several years, its website is no longer active, suggesting the Historic Covered Bridge House is now likely enjoyed as a private family residence.
5 An Elementary School
Kynsey Wilson, a resident of Canton, Ohio, made an incredible purchase: a 45,000-square-foot property for only $35,000. Her secret? She bought an abandoned elementary school. Wilson is currently transforming a portion of the second floor of this massive old building into her personal home.
But her plans don’t stop there. The rest of the expansive space is being converted into “a public space, co-work environment, some conference rooms, my home office…(and) as many as 15 guest rooms for visiting family and friends.” With so much space beyond her personal needs, Wilson is open to suggestions for its use. In her own words, “If somebody has a really great idea and is motivated and wants to come partner up with me, I’m open to it. I’ve got a lot of square footage.”
4 A Half-Abandoned Mall
Constructed way back in 1828, the Arcade in Providence, Rhode Island, holds the title of the oldest indoor mall in the United States. Like many malls worldwide, the Arcade struggled with declining business in the latter half of the 20th century. It closed its doors during the 1970s, reopened, only to close again in 2008. However, when it reopened once more in 2013, it embraced a clever new strategy.
While its first floor continues to operate as a mall, developers transformed its second and third floors into apartments. The Arcade now houses 48 apartments, all of which are compact studio units. Though small, these units are well-lit and open onto a vast interior courtyard. A bit of sunshine and greenery can make a big difference, helping the apartments feel less cramped than they might otherwise. Given its prime location in the heart of downtown Providence, these unique units are popular enough to require a waiting list for prospective renters.
3 A Jail
In 2020, a peculiar house went up for sale in Fayette, Missouri. From the outside, it could easily be mistaken for an average home: one door, two stories, classic red brick, a lawn, and a fence. The inside also appears ordinary, until you walk down a hallway that leads to your very own personal jail.
This unique feature exists because the building, constructed in 1875, served for decades as the Howard County Sheriff’s Office. When the house was renovated, nearly all of it was updated and modernized. However, the jailhouse section was intentionally left untouched. All nine cells remain as they once were, complete with original locks and bars on the doors and windows. It certainly makes one wonder about the motivations of someone wanting this particular house, perhaps for a very unique kind of playroom!
2 A Lunatic Asylum
Several former mental health facilities have been abandoned and later converted into housing. However, perhaps none has undergone a more dramatic transformation than the notoriously cruel New York City Lunatic Asylum. Today, it stands as the luxury apartment complex known as The Octagon.
The former asylum was infamous for its mistreatment of patients, largely brought to light by journalist Nellie Bly’s landmark 1887 exposé, “Ten Days in a Mad-House.” Bly faked mental illness to gain admission and, during her ten days there, witnessed horrific beatings, torture, and appalling hygiene conditions. The facility finally closed in 1955 and sat vacant until 2006. It was then renovated into the swanky living spaces it is today, complete with modern amenities like a private gym, recreation room, and pool.
1 A Private Island Fortress
Spitbank Fort was constructed in 1878 on a private island just south of Portsmouth, England. It served as an active naval base for England for an impressive 78 years, until 1956. Since then, it has experienced periods of closure, renovation, re-closure, and further re-renovation. Currently, Spitbank Fort operates as one of the most extraordinary hotels imaginable.
The island retains its strategic location and fortified structure, now enhanced with luxurious amenities. It boasts a casino, spa, pool, gym, and a wine cellar. Furthermore, it capitalizes on its panoramic views of the English Channel with multiple observation decks and even a lighthouse-like crow’s nest. The combination of robust security and opulent luxury often brings to mind the lair of a James Bond villain. Fortunately, this unique hotel is open for bookings and is also available for outright purchase, with a listing price of $5.2 million.
These incredible transformations showcase the power of imagination and the potential hidden within forgotten structures. From public utilities to historic fortresses, these buildings have found new purpose, offering unique living experiences steeped in history.
What do you think of these amazing home conversions? Would you live in any of them? Leave your comment below!
