9 property conversions that stand out from the crowd
With their combination of character, cultural heritage and individuality, homes in unusual buildings converted to residential use are in constant demand.
"They attract a niche market willing to pay premium prices for unique architectural details and a sense of history," said Ellie Laws, a chartered town planner at Planning by Design.
So get moving if you don’t want to miss out on these incredible one-of-a-kind properties.
1. West End, Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, £325,000
Built in 1839, this Grade II listed, five-storey former windmill is in a lovely spot on the edge of the North York Moors.
It enjoys sweeping town and country views and comprises a ground floor sitting room, a kitchen/dining room and bathroom on the second floor and a bedroom on each of the top three levels. Find out more from Peter Illingworth.
2. Matlock, Derbyshire, from £450,000
Although constructed in 1862 as the private residence of John Smedley, an esteemed industrialist and philanthropist, Grade II listed Riber Castle later became a boarding school, then an emergency food store during World War II, before operating as a zoo until the early 2000s.
Following a comprehensive restoration project, it’s been transformed into 26 luxurious and very spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes. Amenities include a spa, gym, library, orangery and courtyard garden. On the market through Savills.
Read more: 9 renovated homes that are move-in ready
3. Charter Alley, Tadley, Hampshire, £600,000
The vendor of Ebenezer Chapel spent over 10 years turning it into a charming home with features such as arched windows, stained glass and vaulted ceilings.
Work involved restoring the exterior, landscaping the garden and remodelling and decorating the interior.
The property consists of an open plan living/dining area, a kitchen, a shower room and two double bedrooms — one on the ground floor and the second, plus an ensuite bathroom, on the mezzanine. For further information, contact Yopa.
4. Catton, Hexham, Northumberland, £695,000
This stone-built Victorian village school has been given a fresh lease of life as a spacious family house.
It includes a huge living room with a multi-fuel stove, original wooden floors and beams, a modern kitchen, a dining room, conservatory, four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
A versatile one-bedroom annex could be used as an office, guest suite or money-spinning AirBnB rental. Through Finest Properties.
5. Tainters Hill, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, £1.1m
Its name tells only half the story as The Water Tower, which dates from the mid-18th century, was originally a windmill. Having been converted into a water tower in 1885, it became a private house in the early 1970s and incorporates over 1,900 square feet of living space spanning six floors.
A drawing room, dining room/office and kitchen/breakfast room are at ground level, with the principal bedroom suite — complete with private terrace — on the first floor.
Three more bedrooms and a family bathroom are spread over the rest of the tower. Via Knight Frank.
Read more: 10 homes in converted pubs to raise a glass to
6. Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, £1.25m
Old Stow Station was the station house at Stow, a stop on the Banbury & Cheltenham railway line until it was axed during the Beeching cuts in 1962.
Over the years it's been extended and improved, and is now a pristine five bedroom, three reception room house, in a plot of nearly four acres with a paddock and tennis court.
Stone mullions from the ticket office windows have been preserved as an internal feature, and the garden incorporates railway sleepers and the base of a goods hoist. For sale through Butler Sherborn.
7. Boyton End, Stoke by Clare, Suffolk, £1.5m
Grade II listed Midsummer Barn is believed to date back to the 16th century, and was used to store tithes — or produce — that local farmers were required to give to the church.
Today it’s a very stylish four-bedroom country house with soaring ceilings and an abundance of exposed timber beams.
The wow-factor central living space features an inglenook fireplace and a brick chimney breast stretching up to the to the roof, and is overlooked by a first floor reception room. Via Cheffins
Read more: 10 bijou homes that are big on style
8. Newton Ferrers, South Devon, £1.5m
You’ll find The Oyster House down by the water in this picturesque South Hams village. Previously used for oyster shucking and processing, it’s been imaginatively converted into a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house, designed to take advantage of the views of the Yealm estuary.
A large open plan sitting room/kitchen is on the first floor and a sunny roof terrace sits on top of the building. The property comes with a garden, garage/boat store and workshop. Contact Luscombe Maye.
9. Shoreditch, London E1, £1.5m
An 18th century ex-pub in the heart of the buzzy East End, between Shoreditch, Whitechapel and Bethnal Green.
The flexible accommodation, spread over four floors, is currently configured as two reception rooms, two bedrooms and a gym/third bedroom on the lower ground level. There are two terraces and great views over the City skyline from the roof. Get in touch with Savills.
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