When beginning the search for a new home, most buyers will
start by looking around at pre-built houses in their preferred neighborhood.
Some will pool their funds to build their own custom home where they choose.
Then, there are the people represented on this list; people who went out, found
old or aging structures not originally intended for residential use, and made
it their own. You’ll be amazed, and perhaps a little inspired by these awesome
home conversions:
Railroad Station – Stanfordville, N.Y.
This historic former railroad depot was originally built in
1860, and sits along Wappingers Creek in Hudson Valley, just an hour and a half
from New York City. The entire property is made up of 3 different structures
all on 3 acres of land that includes the original train station, a guesthouse,
and artist’s studio totaling 5,500 square feet. There are a total of 3
bedrooms, 3 baths on the property, but the guest house is set up in a bunk
style, sleeping a total of 6 people. Currently, you can rent out the station
for family trips or a romantic getaway; its babbling brooks, beautiful gardens
and sleepy, laidback atmosphere make it a wonderful location for simply
relaxing in peace.
Albion Castle (Former Brewery) –
San Francisco, California
San Fran is home to the Albion Castle, the former location
of Albion Ale and Porter Brewery in 1870. It would go on to be the headquarters
of Mountain Spring and Water Co., which makes a lot of sense considering it
sits atop a still working natural spring that produced 10,000 gallons of water
a day. The home is made up of 1,436 square feet and 4 bedrooms, and is
currently selling for $1,349,000.
Cave – Monticello, Utah
A cave might not sound like the ideal home, but this piece
of real estate stationed among the red rocks of Utah must be seen to be
believed. The cave home is created out of 4 naturally occurring alcoves, making
room for a large master bedroom, dining and living area with kitchen, two
bedrooms with adjoining sleeping loft, and an extra bathroom. The 110 acre land
is located on the Navajo Aquifer, which pumps in clean, natural water to the
home. Some people may have misgivings about living in a cave due to bugs,
rodents, or dust; the cave is completely sealed and vermin free, with just a
tiny bit of interior dust from the mostly smooth cave ceilings. You definitely
won’t be living like a Flintstone in this abode, as all of the modern comforts
of home are also included.
WW2 Power Plant – Portland, Maine
Although this home may not seem as bright and cheerful as
most, the history and location more than makes up for it, as it’s a refurbished
World War 2 plant stationed on the water front. It sits on Casco Bay and is
mostly surrounded by water, with access to a boat mooring. Other fun features
include a hot tub and pool with a separate guest house.
Schoolhouse – Lincoln Park, Illinois
What better place to raise and educate your children than
in a former school house? That was the thinking for a couple in Lincoln Park,
Illinois, who transformed the school into a cozy, environmentally sustainable
home for their family. The majority of the wood used for counters and furniture
is repurposed from other parts of the structure, and they installed a
geothermal heating system as well. Whereas surrounding structures in the area
have been completely stripped down and rebuilt, it was important for the family
to include as much of the original school as possible. Altogether the house is
made up of 6 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 8,500 square feet.
Church – Dallas, Texas
This former place of worship in Dallas, Texas was renovated
into a multi-family home with tons of space. The first section is an upstairs
unit that includes 8 bedrooms and 8.5 baths, with an adjoining art studio
situated in the one-time choir loft and 100 year old stained glass windows.
Also included on the property is the separate basement unit that is made up of
5,000 total square feet and can be used for a residence or office space. Total
the building has 11 bedrooms, 11.5 baths, 14,929 square feet and is selling for
$1,299,000.00.
Factory – San Antonio, Texas
What better place to create a multi-loft home complex than
a huge factory? What is now referred to as the Tobin building in San Antonio
was at one time the Duerler Candy Factory from 1926 to 1937. A survey company
for the oil and gas industry group Tobin Surveys bought it soon after and owned
it until 2000. Linda Pace would then go on to purchase and transform it with
the help of Poteet Architects, to create Campstreet Residences which houses 20
different lofts, Pace’s own home, and a gallery space on the top floor. The
individual lofts are spacious, boasting anywhere from 1,700 to 2,300 square
feet, and going for $399,000 to $650,000.
