Abandoned spaces for sale that could be amazing homes

Getting your foot on the property ladder can be difficult, especially if you’re looking for a home that’s a little bit unique. However, if you think outside the box, you might just bag yourself an incredible residence that’s unlike anything else on the market. Given some TLC, these empty, non-residential buildings from around the world could be converted into truly spectacular homes. Click or scroll on to take a look…

Sitting in the small village of Alvah in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, this abandoned church is in desperate need of a helping hand. Built in 1792, the rustic stone building would make a heavenly home for someone with a keen eye for detail.

The property sits on a lovely plot facing the rolling fields of neighbouring Banff. It benefits from two entrances, one of which is tucked away for added privacy. Steeped in history, the abandoned church was built on the site of an old bellcote, which was constructed in 1643. Even better, the church has already been granted planning consent to be converted into a five-bedroom home.

Much like the exterior, the interior is in need of updating. The windows are boarded up or missing, and the ceilings and floors have been left exposed after the current owners stripped everything back. Luckily though, the building recently received a new roof, meaning steps have already been taken to transform the property.

Currently, the structure offers just two rooms—a spacious entrance foyer and the main nave—but the building could easily be divided into a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. With oversized window frames, a vaulted ceiling decorated with rustic beams and lovely stone walls, there’s much to love about this historic building.

However, one look at that lovely ceiling and you’ll spot how much work is needed to render the building watertight and liveable. Are you up to the task of restoring it? If so, it’s currently available via Bell Ingram for just £40,000 ($49k).

Proving that you don’t always need a huge budget in order to buy something truly remarkable, this former granary in the Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany is up for grabs via Holprop for a mere €110,000. That’s around £98,200 ($118k). Warehouse conversion, anyone?

Of course, in order to undertake a thorough renovation, the buyer will need a slightly bigger budget. The building dates back to 1920 and is practically bursting with amazing historic features, including exposed timber support beams and hardwood floors.

There’s a lot of work to be done to render the former industrial building liveable, though. For example, all new wiring and plumbing will likely need to be installed. Plus, all of the property’s dozens of windows are either broken or missing completely.

As for plus points, the structure comes with more than 19,000 square feet of inside space, spread across five main floors. There’s also a huge basement level and an attic with a tower, which could provide two extra storeys. The listing also includes a small surrounding garden of around 9,687 square feet.

Some of the former granary machinery is still in situ, too, so the new owner could incorporate this into the redesign to add character and retain some of the building’s history. Or will you kick-start production again? All the machinery is included in the sale price and has an estimated scrap evaluation of €30,000, which is around £26,800 ($32k).

Marketed through Patrice Besse for £267,600 ($321k), or €300,000 in the local currency, this 19th-century foundry would once have been bustling with a workforce, whose job was to cast metal. Home to old workshops and factory spaces, the historic building has been left in a state of decay.

The former commercial space is nestled on a picturesque piece of land in a lovely village in the heart of the Loire Valley—arguably France’s prettiest region. Though secluded in a rural area, the building is just a two-minute walk to local shops and amenities, as well as the regional TER train station that connects to Paris in less than an hour.

The listing includes four industrial buildings, interspersed with small courtyards and passageways leading to the old workshops and Arts and Crafts buildings. The four structures have all sat empty since the 1990s, when deindustrialisation led to their closure, so a lot of work would be needed to make the buildings fit for purpose. There’s 3,229 square feet of space to play with, enough room for 10 bedrooms, along with plenty of lovely historic details worth preserving.

These include local tilework, arched windows, wooden shutters, narrow wooden staircases, concrete floors and stained-glass elements. Plus, just look at the amazing views from the building’s windows. Overlooking the tranquil River Eure, the property is sure to entice someone seeking solitude and plenty of stunning scenery. Some of the rooms also provide views of the area’s old castle.

As well as the stunning surrounding vistas, the former foundry also benefits from a large garden. Covering 32,291 square feet, which is just shy of an acre, the backyard is primed and ready to be transformed into the ultimate oasis, with fruit trees, flowerbeds and even a vegetable patch. The exterior space could even be used to extend the property itself. The choice is yours!

Over in the French department of Lot, in the Midi-Pyrénées region, you could snap up this abandoned clothing factory. The historic building is on the market with Patrice Besse for €329,000, which is around £293,400 ($352k), and offers plenty of development potential and square footage for your money.

The building was designed by architect Louis-Macary in 1934 and constructed from a mix of sandstone and concrete. The Vauzou clothing factory opened the same year and by 1944, the company employed some 50 people and dispatched its clothes nationwide. Sadly, the factory was forced to close its doors in 1987, but continued to sell merchandise until 2014. The property has sat vacant ever since.

As well as benefitting from a striking and prominent façade, the structure also has a sprawling interior filled with unique architectural details, including towering columns, unique built-in cabinetry, cast iron radiators and parquet floors.

Laid out over four levels, including a basement and a partially converted attic, the old warehouse features large sales rooms, numerous spaces where workers once sat at sewing machines crafting garments and plentiful storage areas.

There’s also a residence inside the building, which offers a lounge, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. Upstairs, you’ll find an impressive eight bedrooms. Outside, there’s also a private car park, a small garden and several balconies with fine wrought iron balustrades. With so much space and plenty of eye-catching historic features, we can’t think of a better time to turn this former factory into an amazing home.

Those seeking a unique renovation project and endless space will fall head over heels for this abandoned mining town in Lake City, Colorado. Located in its its very own 305-acre valley, this listing offers one lucky buyer the chance to snap up a piece of Wild West history.

Listed with Sotheby’s International Realty for £772,000 ($925k), the ghost town isn’t just historic and sprawling, it’s incredibly cheap, too—and let’s not forget how gorgeous the surrounding landscape is. So how did the town first come to be? Well, ore was originally found in the Carson Mining District in 1881 and people flocked to the area in search of their fortune.

But, as with all mining towns, the riches were short-lived and slowly it was deserted. The buildings that remain here are now considered to be part of one of Colorado’s most famous ghost towns, and it could soon be yours! The possibilities are endless when it comes to renovation. Turn the historic buildings into a family retreat, a summer camp, a backcountry ski resort, or anything else you can think of.

The listing price includes 31 patented mining claims, all 306 acres of land and multiple historic mining buildings. Inside, the timber structures have bare bones and are all in need of extensive repairs. From rot to missing windows, this won’t be a quick or easy renovation project, but we’re sure the effort would be well worth it, because this could well be the ultimate fixer-upper.

As well as all the historic structures, the property also benefits from creeks, beaver ponds, access to the continental divide and views that seem never ending. Located in hunting unit 66 and very close to 76, the hunting access has also deemed incredible, making this listing one for lovers of the great outdoors. You’ll need a lot of imagination, and spare cash, to revive this abandoned town. Are you up to the job?

The phrase “bang for your buck” really applies to this listing, because for just £792,900 ($950k) you can get your hands on not one, but three fixer-upper structures in the city of Petersburg, Virginia.

Both of the main properties were constructed in 1870; one spans 3,781 square feet and the other 4,650 square feet. Currently, the buildings house a total of 12 residential units, so the buyer could choose to finish the renovation of the apartments and lease them out, or turn them back into single family homes and sell them on.

The two main properties are in fairly good condition, and one of them has already received a lot of repair work. The second structure is in a slightly more rundown state. However, both come with an array of attractive historic features, including fireplaces, heart pine flooring and original mouldings.

The units feature a mix of one and two bedrooms and each has a living room, kitchen and bathroom. If you don’t fancy taking on both of the buildings, they can also be sold separately—the largest for £459,000 ($550k) and the smaller of the two for £333,800 ($400k).

This adorable little carriage house is also included in the sales price. In need of a full makeover, the compact home could easily be renovated and sold on. You could even keep it for yourself, while you run your apartment building business or another money-making scheme. The choice is yours!

If you’re seeking a church conversion in the USA, then how about this abandoned religious building in Marshville, North Carolina? For sale for £1 million ($1.2m), the historic structure has great potential but isn’t for the faint of heart.

While the exterior of the abandoned church has plenty of kerb appeal, thanks to its glorious brickwork, soaring tower and prominent front steps, the 21,299-square-foot interior is overflowing with eye-catching details—just look at that incredible ceiling.

Dating back to 1924, the sanctuary would once have been a thriving place of worship and it isn’t hard to imagine people sitting in this grand space, listening to the Sunday sermon. As you can probably see, the building is currently in the beginning stages of renovation by the previous owner, so some of the hard work has already been done for you. For example, some of the woodwork, ceilings, floors and windows have already been replaced or repaired.

Yet there’s plenty more work to be done! Upstairs, the church has been stripped to its studs and features exposed wiring, brick walls and crumbling floors. Yet there are plenty of historic details throughout that the new owner will want to restore, such as hand-carved staircase spindles, coffered ceilings and vintage light fixtures.

What’s more, for your money you’ll gain a two-storey educational building, complete with classrooms, office spaces and washroom facilities. Being sold as is, this incredible property is a conversion opportunity not to be missed.

Located in the city of Edmonton in the province of Alberta, this historic property is one for movie fans. Built in 1914, the Princess Theatre was the first marble-faced building in Western Canada and is now on the market for £1.9 million ($2.3m). With just shy of 14,300 square feet of space, the abandoned building could make for a spectacular family home.

Now a Provincial Historic Site, the abandoned cinema covers four floors and is just as grand inside as it is outside. The main entrance foyer looks like it has been left vacant in a rush, with a working ticket station and rope barrier still standing. However, it’s still a grand and impressive space, thanks to its towering ceiling, dazzling chandelier and imposing staircase.

Jam-packed with period details, the Princess Theatre is just waiting to be brought back to life. From the original tiled entrance, which still bears the property’s name, to the incredible custom mouldings and retro carpets found throughout, this vintage building is sure to fill you with nostalgia.

Other amazing features include the cinema’s dazzling main screening room, which is finished with vibrant orange walls, a soaring barrel ceiling, colourful patterned carpet and 360 seats. Definitely enough space to work with!

As well as the main theatre, the abandoned building also boasts a second room that offers 90 seats and its very own concession stand. Located on 82nd Avenue, the property is just waiting for the right owner to give it a new lease of life.

Have you got a big budget and an even bigger imagination? If so, then Kennington Old Town Hall could be the listing of your dreams. This incredible building can be found in Kennington, a residential neighbourhood in London that’s home to The Oval cricket ground.

It goes without saying that the former town hall has plenty of kerb appeal, and its interior is just as impressive. According to a local history site, the building was built in 1853 and the last meeting of the Council at Kennington was held here in 1908. Later, it became the headquarters of the Church of England Children’s Society.