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While my renovation means getting a new rug from Ikea, changing a lightbulb that’s been out of order for the past year (or five, if I’m being totally honest), and keeping my succulents alive, some people turn it into an art form.

Welcome to the inspiring collection of renovations that deserve their own place in history compiled by Bored Panda. From the abandoned church that’s been remade into a skater’s dream park to a defunct subway entrance that’s been cleverly turned into an actual entry to the Subway eatery, and it only gets better.

Scroll down, upvote your favorite remakes and repurposed buildings, and be sure to check out our previous posts with some more wonderful building conversions right here.

#1

Moved Here 4 Years Ago. Converted Victorian Church In England. Love This Room

Moved Here 4 Years Ago. Converted Victorian Church In England. Love This Room

misterzeee Report

#2

Stone Observatory Tower Converted To A Home

Stone Observatory Tower Converted To A Home

reddit.com Report

#3

The Building Used For The Swimming Events At The 2008 Summer Olympics In Beijing Was Transformed Into This Dope-Looking Waterpark

The Building Used For The Swimming Events At The 2008 Summer Olympics In Beijing Was Transformed Into This Dope-Looking Waterpark

TheTwoSeventeen Report

When we think of architecture, we start picturing an entire complex process that gets to make a building from zero. But very often, architects work with what they’re already given, whether it’s defunct objects or abandoned buildings, and they have to work their way around them to give these ghosts an entirely new meaning and purpose.

Repurposed buildings also have power to revitalize communities. It often happens when industrial structures like old factories are remodeled into community centers—sites of leisure.

#4

In Germany There Is Waterpark Called Tropical Islands. It's A Literal Tropical Island Built Inside An Old Blimp Hangar

In Germany There Is Waterpark Called Tropical Islands. It's A Literal Tropical Island Built Inside An Old Blimp Hangar

reddit.com Report

#6

My Gym Used To Be Part Of An Asylum Complex. The Pool Used To Be A Church And The Confession Booths Are Now A Sauna

My Gym Used To Be Part Of An Asylum Complex. The Pool Used To Be A Church And The Confession Booths Are Now A Sauna

loopy53 Report

According to Kaelan Burkett, an author at Architizer, “repurposed buildings are not simply reincarnations of their former selves; an arts center does not have the same relationship to a community as a factory.”

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“But these projects do not act as replacements or departures from what preceded them, either. When architecture is successfully repurposed, it does not hide its history, but instead becomes a relic, projecting its identity into a new age, and embodying the contradictory qualities of tradition and innovation, of preservation and progress.”

#7

Vienna Gasometers: Gas Storage Tanks First Built In 1896 And Converted Into Mixed-Use Developments Between 1995 And 2001

Vienna Gasometers: Gas Storage Tanks First Built In 1896 And Converted Into Mixed-Use Developments Between 1995 And 2001

archineering Report

#8

Niccolò Paganini Auditorium, Parma, Italy, An Abandoned Sugar Factory Converted Into A Concert Hall By Renzo Piano In 1996

Niccolò Paganini Auditorium, Parma, Italy, An Abandoned Sugar Factory Converted Into A Concert Hall By Renzo Piano In 1996

archineering , teatroregioparma Report

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#9

This Abandoned Church Was Purchased By Skaters And Renovated Into A Dream Park

This Abandoned Church Was Purchased By Skaters And Renovated Into A Dream Park

BirchTainer Report

Kaelan also claims that repurposing architecture is not a new concept. For example, “The Hagia Sophia has been rebuilt, redesigned and redecorated many times in its lives as a church, mosque and museum. Similarly, the Kremlin has housed many regimes since its 14th-century construction, and undergone a corresponding evolution of forms.” In such cases, the changing roles of architecture often reflect or enforce political ideologies and claims to power.

#10

My New Apartment Still Has The Original Molding From When It Was A Hotel Ballroom In 1923

My New Apartment Still Has The Original Molding From When It Was A Hotel Ballroom In 1923

vlcnus Report

#11

Dublin: An 11th Century Viking Well And Stone Under A Local Shop

Dublin: An 11th Century Viking Well And Stone Under A Local Shop

Parisduonce Report

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Aunt Messy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They've done similar things in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Many of the shops built into the city and cathedral walls have sections of glass floor that contain tombs, building foundations, cellars, and wells.

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#12

Stamba Hotel, Tbilisi, Georgia, Designed In 2018 By Adjara Group And Located In An Old Printing House

Stamba Hotel, Tbilisi, Georgia, Designed In 2018 By Adjara Group And Located In An Old Printing House

archineering Report

#13

These Two UK Phone Booths Have Been Repurposed

These Two UK Phone Booths Have Been Repurposed

axnu Report

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Joey Marlin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen a few of these used for defibrillators, have them in my village.

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#14

The Hospital I Work For Was Originally Designed To Be A Hotel

The Hospital I Work For Was Originally Designed To Be A Hotel

reoltlaonc Report

#15

My House Turned 101 Today (Originally A 1920’s Corner Grocery)

My House Turned 101 Today (Originally A 1920’s Corner Grocery)

haganwalker Report

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CrunChewy McSandybutt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how many times they had someone banging on the window asking if they are open?

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#16

My Town’s Library Is Under Construction, So They’re Using An Old Grocery Store As The Temporary Library

My Town’s Library Is Under Construction, So They’re Using An Old Grocery Store As The Temporary Library

pooshins Report

#17

This Defunct Subway Entrance Is A Working Subway Entrance

This Defunct Subway Entrance Is A Working Subway Entrance

handsgrubber Report

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Dave P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

still is an entrance into the real subway, see those stairs on the side, those go down an extra level. This is a "Commercial Cut Out" which is quote common in the NYC subway system and were designed that way to use the extra space are retail. THere are steps to the left and right (as you can see on the right here) that go down to the subway system. Sorry, this is someone misleading or ignorant.

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#18

A Former Grain Silo In Oslo, Now Converted To Student Housing

A Former Grain Silo In Oslo, Now Converted To Student Housing

heythere011 Report

#19

The Grand Concourse Built In 1898. Once Train Station Is Now A Restaurant In Pittsburgh, PA

The Grand Concourse Built In 1898. Once Train Station Is Now A Restaurant In Pittsburgh, PA

Dry_Way4135 Report

#20

This McDonald's In New Zealand Has A Decommissioned Plane You Can Dine In

This McDonald's In New Zealand Has A Decommissioned Plane You Can Dine In

timfox1 Report

#21

A Ship's Bridge That Has Been Removed And Converted Into A House

A Ship's Bridge That Has Been Removed And Converted Into A House

Washpedantic Report

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#22

Regional Coffee Chain Buys Gas Station, Uses Car Wash As Drive Through

Regional Coffee Chain Buys Gas Station, Uses Car Wash As Drive Through

dephanitly Report

#23

Old Church Turned Into A 24/7 Pancake Restaurant

Old Church Turned Into A 24/7 Pancake Restaurant

ThatOldGuyWhoDrinks Report

#24

Old Bank Was Transformed Into A Hotel, They Kept The Vault As A Meeting Room

Old Bank Was Transformed Into A Hotel, They Kept The Vault As A Meeting Room

WoollyMonster Report

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CindyLouWho1209
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very cool! You can't come out until you all reach a consensus. (Swings the vault door shut.)

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#25

This Hotel Is An Old Prison

This Hotel Is An Old Prison

pistrel Report

#26

In The UK, Redundant Telephone Boxes Are Being Repurposed As Public Defibrillators

In The UK, Redundant Telephone Boxes Are Being Repurposed As Public Defibrillators

skillian Report

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H Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's nice that they are repurposing a few so that they don't all disappear completely.

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#27

My Girlfriend’s Office Used To Be A Bowling Alley. The Original Lanes Are Still There

My Girlfriend’s Office Used To Be A Bowling Alley. The Original Lanes Are Still There

joestn Report

#28

This Hotel Is Built Out Of Train Cars

This Hotel Is Built Out Of Train Cars

Cessnateur Report

#29

The Old Don Jail (1864) In Toronto Converted Into Offices For The Newly Built Hospital Beside It In 2013

The Old Don Jail (1864) In Toronto Converted Into Offices For The Newly Built Hospital Beside It In 2013

sledgehammer_77 Report

#30

Old Silo In Söderköping, Sweden, Repurposed As Housing

Old Silo In Söderköping, Sweden, Repurposed As Housing

paulplutt Report

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An Co
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate the penthouse. What idiot decided: "We have this beautiful round double towers, we should plop an ugly rectangle on top just so people will know it's a housing."

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#31

McDonald's In The Art Deco Former "United Kingdom Hotel", Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Australia

McDonald's In The Art Deco Former "United Kingdom Hotel", Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Australia

IceColdFrozenDrip Report

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ArchiBookworm
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't sad. If the building can't be repurposed into something commercially viable, it gets demolished and we lose that historic building. This is how preservation works, its how we save historic fabric.

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#32

These Apartments Used To Be A YMCA

These Apartments Used To Be A YMCA

chumleesdog Report

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Raven Sheridan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haunted by the ghosts of a construction worker, soldier, police officer, cowboy, biker and native American Indian.

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#34

A Smartphone Repair Office Inside A Telephone Box North Of Holborn Station

A Smartphone Repair Office Inside A Telephone Box North Of Holborn Station

Kuzu9 Report

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Miriam L
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks... Compact. I would not want to be the person working inside that booth all day

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#35

Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre: A Former Commodities Exchange With A 750-Seat Theatre 'Pod' Tucked Inside. The Theatre Opened In 1976

Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre: A Former Commodities Exchange With A 750-Seat Theatre 'Pod' Tucked Inside. The Theatre Opened In 1976

SirJohnUmfrevile Report

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Seán Baron
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been there many times. When the IRA bomb went off in 1996, this was nearly destroyed.

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Note: this post originally had 80 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.