Old Brick Buildings

[Jim Oaks]

I love old buildings. Especially old brick buildings. I'll stop and photograph an old building if I like it.

Yesterday I was looking at buildings for sale on loopnet.com, and came across this old brick building from the 1920's. The building is in sad shape, and needs a roof. Given that, I think it's still a good deal at $35,000.

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/99-S-6th-St-Duncan-OK/13452493/

When I look at the building, I start seeing all of the possibilities. It's an empty shell just waiting to be turned in to something. Hell, I think it's even cool that there is vines growing on the inside of the building.

I'd like to see it cleaned up, the window frames painted black, and all of the broken glass panes replaced. Obviously add a roof, but add skylights. I'd add a second level, but not the full width of the building. Basically have a decked area that overlooks the 1st level. Maybe split the second level in to (2) separate apartments. One for me, one for guests. The first level would be a dream garage. A section for doing work. A designated section for each vehicle. A lounging area with a bar. The ultimate Ford Ranger garage / home.

I personally do not own a home. I've been pre-approved to buy and have looked at some, I just have no desire to buy one. I just don't have any desire to live in a traditional home. I'd love to be able to buy something like this. Park my travel trailer on the grounds and live in it until the building is remodeled.

Anyone else out there have a love for old buildings or unusual housing ideas like this?

 

[Ranger850]

It may be weird to some of ya'll, but I like the old dilapidated wood houses. I see them all the time on Georgia back roads. The old cracker style houses with brick chimneys. The old wood and tin roofs, simple design for simple living.

I have pictures of some really old ones but can't uaod them. Have to resize them first.

 

[adsm08]

I think I'd do something similar with that building if I was in your situation there Jim.

We were just browsing houses for sale a while back and ran across one that was basically a large garage on the first floor, and a very nice three bedroom house on the second floor.

 

[Ranger850]

Jim, more to your point, I do like to think of repurposing an old building like that. groing up in Marianna FL, some people bought an old service station (right off the road of my bus route to school), and converted it to a house. I always liked the idea of doing something like that. That building would be awesome/perfect.

I don't know how structurally sound that building is, but @ $35k, you can afford to do a lot of work to it. If you figure 165k-200k for a nice house, you would have at least 100k for a budget.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I'd snatch that place up in a heartbeat. Aside from the roof, I'd say it's in really good shape. I'm surprised there's not more graffiti honestly. A good powerwash to get the top layer of scum/filth off the bricks and that place would look fantastic!

And the bridgecrane!!!!! Can't believe that's still here.

 

[Ranger850]

Do you know what that other building is? The big one with "Elvis" on the side? Looks like some kind of Record Store? What town is that? Roanoke? Is that close to Keller or Midland, I spent some summers there when I was a kid.

 

[adsm08]

Jim, more to your point, I do like to think of repurposing an old building like that. groing up in Marianna FL, some people bought an old service station (right off the road of my bus route to school), and converted it to a house. I always liked the idea of doing something like that. That building would be awesome/perfect.

I had an idea like this too.

There is a building not far from me that at various point over the last 20 years has been a number of failed businesses. It has a nice big shop attached, and an area that could have been renovated into a nice living space. Didn't have the money though.

 

[91stranger]

That's honestly a good deal. You could get a good roof put on for a fair price. Add a mezzanine like you said for the bedrooms and clean it up and you'd have the perfect home. It's definitely cool.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Any idea what it used to be?

The roof would be a serious undertaking let alone everything else...

Old buildings are neat, it is fun to figure out the history of them. It was fun when we were cleaning out our barn figuring out what various modifications it had seen.

 

[Uncle Gump]

In our quest to get out of Illinois and back to Michigan... we have considered buying a vacant business/building in small town Northern Michigan. There are hundreds of them... and the prices are right. It would serve as my workshop... a comfortable apartment(s)... and a small storefront. Rent out the storefront and the apartment(s) and my workshop is close to free. It all boils down to renovation costs of the property... and it can be really pricey. I'm excited by the possibilites but it all boils down to dollars.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I believe the building was a power plant up to the 1950-60's. It's in Duncan Oklahoma, about 2-hours north of where I am in Texas.