26 photos of abandoned buildings that were turned into charming homes

Frank OlitoAug 19, 2020, 22:57 IST

This abandoned farmhouse has been renovated.Courtesy of DeWitt Paul

While purchasing and renovating an abandoned home might seem a daunting prospect, these buyers were able to turn neglected buildings into beautiful places to live.
One couple in Maryland bought a 120-year-old abandoned church and turned it into their full-time home.
In Indiana, a couple bought a 20,000-square-foot former Freemason temple, which they are renovating.

All over the world, there are abandoned structures with crumbling walls and decaying foundations that hint at the buildings' more vibrant days.

Instead of letting these historic buildings waste away entirely, some people are buying them and turning them into livable, charming homes. From churches to farms, these formerly empty buildings are getting a second life.

Take a look at these buildings that were once abandoned — and the beautiful living spaces they have become.

Two empty nesters bought an abandoned farm and turned the main house into a luxury home.

The main house on the farm. Courtesy of DeWitt Paul

They first decided to work on renovating the main house, which was in total disrepair.

The kitchen before renovation. Courtesy of DeWitt Paul

After doing 90% of the work themselves, the main house has been completely transformed.

The kitchen and living area after renovation. Courtesy of DeWitt Paul

The master bedroom has also been transformed from dark and dreary to colorful and cozy.

The master bedroom. Courtesy of DeWitt Paul

Although there is still some work left to be done in the main house, what is finished has been expertly designed.

The bathroom. Courtesy of DeWitt Paul

A couple bought a 120-year-old church in Maryland after it sat empty for decades.

The exterior of the church. Courtesy of All Saints House

One of the home's biggest transformations was the kitchen, which took three months to complete.

The renovation process of the church. Courtesy of All Saints House

Now, the kitchen is a mixture of old and new.

The converted kitchen. Courtesy of All Saints House

But the home's real showstopper is the great hall and its soaring ceilings.

The great hall. Courtesy of All Saints House

The master bedroom is on the second floor, overlooking the great hall.

The master bedroom of the church. Courtesy of All Saints House

A building that once belonged to Christian Scientists sat vacant for decades before it was turned into luxury condos.

The Light House in San Francisco. Courtesy of Christopher Pike

For the next four years, Akhavan renovated the previously abandoned building and turned it into three luxury condos.

The entryway into the building. Courtesy of Christopher Pike

The condos are large and spacious, combining modern appliances with the building's original architecture.

One of the condos. Courtesy of Christopher Pike

One of the luxury condos is 5,525 square feet and has three bedrooms.

One of the condos in the building. Courtesy of Christopher Pike

Although the previously abandoned building has been converted into a modern home, it has been a difficult sell.

A staircase in the building. Courtesy of Christopher Pike

A vacant, crumbling basement in this building in Bath, England, was turned into a $590,000 apartment.

The building where the basement is located. 17Paragon

Since the building is considered a historical landmark, Barrows had to be careful to preserve its history.

Before the renovation. Jamie Barrow

Now, the quarters have been transformed into a modern home with historical touches.

After the renovation. 17Paragon

Before the renovations began, the basement resembled a dungeon.

Before the renovation. Jamie Barrow

After five months of renovation, Barrows completely transformed the space.

After the renovation. Jamie Barrow

A family bought an abandoned Freemason temple in Indiana for $89,000.

The Freemason temple. Courtesy of Theresa Cannizzaro

While most of the building is abandoned, the couple is slowly renovating it one space at a time.

One of the rooms in the temple. Courtesy of Theresa Cannizzaro

One of the first projects the couple completed was building a kitchen on the second floor.

The kitchen in the temple. Courtesy of Theresa Cannizzaro

Although the building had six bathrooms, there was nowhere to bathe, so they had to build a shower.

The bathroom in the temple. Courtesy of Theresa Cannizzaro

On the second floor, there's also a lavish library with built-in bookcases.

The library. Courtesy of Theresa Cannizzaro

The Great Room has still yet to be renovated, but the couple has big plans for it.

The Great Room. Courtesy of Theresa Cannizzaro

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