Unique Buildings That Have Been Converted Into Homes
Have you ever dreamed of living in a home unlike any other? Thanks to a little creativity and a whole lot of work, what’s old is new again with these spectacular home conversions. From former firehouses to built-upon barges, check out these truly unusual residences:
Historic Firehouse — Artists Vincent Valdez and Adriana Corral converted a 1928 fire station located in San Antonio, Texas, into an art studio and loft-style apartment. The former fire station offered the perfect blank canvas for the artists with its white walls, concrete floors and high ceilings.
Old Water Tower — An 1877 water tower in London, England, was transformed into a luxury home by homeowners Leigh Osbourne and Graham Voce. The 99-foot tall brick structure required significant restoration before it could be converted into the four-bedroom home with an ultra-modern living space on the ground level.
Barge — A 1909 barge used for transporting heavy goods is now a floating home in Södermalm, a district in central Stockholm, Sweden. The 1,600-square foot residence features three levels outfitted with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open-plan living room and a dining room.
Schoolhouse— This Federal-style schoolhouse was built around 1840 in the Catskills of New York. Unfortunately pipes burst and the ceiling fell in one week after closing, so the homeowners had to deal with a complete renovation. After a year of hard work, the schoolhouse was transformed into a colorful and vibrant weekend retreat.
Unique Houston Homes– For a Houston tour of unusual homes, the Beer Can House is always on the list. The home, located in the Rice Military neighborhood, pays homage to the former owner’s beloved brew with woven, intricately patterned aluminum cans welcoming visitors. The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art acquired the house and offers tours Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5 pm but you can always drive by for a quick selfie with out-of-town guests!
Minimalist and modern is the look of architect Ronnie Self’s St. Emanuel House in the Third Ward neighborhood where most of the dwellings are traditional, wood-framed homes. The California dreamin’ style residence perches over the freeway and has dramatic views of the downtown skyline. The home has been featured in the New York Times Magazine as a roadside attraction-right in our hometown!
Be sure to be on the lookout for historic neighborhood and unique home tours offered by Preservation Houston and AIA Houston, the local chapter of the American Institute for Architects, which has a Museum District Walking Tour scheduled for October 3, 2015. If you attend, be sure to pair your walk with a meal at Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen on Montrose for their fresh gulf coast seafood.
