Buzz
Artists from diverse eras and regions have revitalized aged structures, maintaining their historical essence through a process known as adaptive reuse. While their architectural features are often preserved, their functions frequently undergo remarkable transformations: cathedrals turn into concert venues, windmills into wineries. This compilation explores 10 of the most unique and fascinating repurposed buildings.
10. From Theater to Book Haven: El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Book enthusiasts and theater aficionados, celebrate! Nestled on a bustling street in Barrio Norte, Buenos Aires, lies one of the world’s most stunning bookstores. Originally opened as the Teatro Gran Splendid in 1919, it showcased a variety of performers, most notably Carlos Gardel, the “King of Tango.” A decade later, it was renovated into Argentina’s first cinema to feature sound films. Facing demolition in the early 21st century, the historic theater was leased to Grup Ilhsa.
Today, the Grand Splendid’s architectural magnificence remains intact—or, as some might say, elevated—to highlight literature rather than performances. El Ateneo Grand Splendid honors its musical heritage with live piano melodies accompanying readers as they explore shelves and enjoy coffee. The frescoed ceilings, opulent velvet curtains, and intricate decor of the theater create a dazzling retreat for book lovers, theater enthusiasts, and architecture admirers.
9. From Sacred Space to Skate Haven: Kaos Temple
Once a spiritual refuge for the Christians of Llanera, Spain, this site has been reimagined as a vibrant haven for skateboarders. Constructed in 1912 by architect Manuel del Busto, the Church of Santa Barbara fell into disuse and remained abandoned for nearly a century. In 2007, the Church Brigade, a creative collective, revitalized the space, converting it into an indoor skatepark.
In 2015, Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel was invited, through a crowdfunding initiative, to adorn the church with his signature geometric designs. Today, the building’s original domed ceilings and walls are alive with vivid colors and kaleidoscopic representations of humans, animals, and nature. The pews have been replaced with halfpipes and ramps, offering skaters a sheltered space in one of Spain’s wettest regions. The exterior of the Church of Santa Barbara remains unchanged, enclosing a skatepark that merges neo-Gothic architecture with bold modern art. Kaos Temple is a unique fusion of history and creativity, attracting both artists and athletes.
8. From Train Hub to Art Haven: Musée d’Orsay
Renowned for its vast array of Impressionist masterpieces, Paris’s Musée d’Orsay holds an additional allure: its origins as a railway station. Designed by French architects Émile Bénard, Lucien Magne, and Victor Laloux, the station’s early 20th-century architecture blends timeless elegance with modern functionality. Situated on the Seine’s Left Bank, it was constructed to accommodate visitors to the 1900 Paris Exposition.
After being deemed inadequate for the growing demand for longer trains, the structure took on roles far beyond its architects' initial vision. Prior to its transformation into a museum in 1986, it functioned as a mailing hub during World War II and served as a filming location for notable movies, including Orson Welles’s The Trial. Today, the Musée d’Orsay captivates millions of visitors annually with its breathtaking architecture and iconic works by Monet and Renoir, solidifying its status as one of the world’s most beloved museums.
7. From Grain Storage to Climbing Adventure: Upper Limits Rock Gym
Bloomington, Illinois, offers a unique experience for both sports enthusiasts and history buffs: towering rock-climbing walls housed within 65-foot (20-meter) grain silos. The abandoned set of four silos was repurposed to create an innovative and eco-friendly attraction. Built on the foundation of the former structures, the gym is powered by solar energy. Alongside the indoor climbing walls, routes have been added to the 115-foot (35-meter) exterior, offering climbers a thrilling challenge.
Once a key player in the global grain trade, rural Illinois still features silos and grain bins across its landscape. These structures have found new life in various creative ways, including rock climbing. For instance, a grain bin in Alvin, IL, was transformed into the Has Bin Guest House, a cozy bed and breakfast. Similarly, Meridian Nursery repurposed a Rockford silo into a rustic venue for intimate events.
6. From Sacred Space to Literary Haven: Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen
This 13th-century Catholic cathedral in Maastricht, Netherlands, underwent multiple transformations over seven centuries before becoming the expansive bookstore it is today. Consecrated in 1294, it served as a religious sanctuary for 500 years. After the 1794 invasion of the Netherlands, French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte repurposed its Gothic interior as a storage facility. Later, it was even used to store bicycles.
In 2005, Dutch architects Merkx and Girod reimagined the cathedral as a vast bookstore, leveraging its majestic architecture and ornate interiors to attract history, art, and literature enthusiasts. Today, the space boasts three levels of bookshelves and walkways beneath beautifully preserved frescoes. Recognized with the 2007 Lensvelt de Architect Interior Prize, it remains a beloved spot for locals and literary travelers alike.
5. From Prison to Upscale Accommodation: The Liberty Hotel
Dark tourism enthusiasts visiting Boston, Massachusetts, can stay overnight in the historic Charles Street Jail. Built in 1851 under the controversial Auburn penal system, this jail once held notable figures like activist Malcolm X and anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti. After nearly 150 years of operation, the overcrowded facility closed, but its legacy and architectural charm were revived in The Liberty Hotel.
The Liberty Hotel, opened in 2007, offers nearly 300 guest rooms and retains the original central rotunda. Guests can dine at the Clink or Alibi restaurants, surrounded by prisoner portraits, or stroll through the former prison yard. Interestingly, The Liberty Hotel is part of a growing trend of repurposed prisons, including Het Arresthuis near Amsterdam and a Four Seasons in Istanbul’s former Sultanahmet Prison.
4. From Bullfighting Arena to Luxury Stay: Hotel Quinta Real Zacatecas
If the eerie past of Boston’s Liberty Hotel doesn’t appeal to you, head to Zacatecas, Mexico, to experience a night in a 19th-century bullring transformed into a hotel. The Quinta Real Zacatecas was built within the San Pedro bullfighting arena, established in 1866 and active for over a century. After the arena’s final bullfight in 1975, the Quinta Real opened in 1989, offering a unique blend of history and luxury.
Today, guests can admire the hotel’s preserved Spanish Colonial exterior from the courtyard that once hosted bullfights. For those eager to explore more creatively repurposed structures, a short drive leads to Museo Rafael Coronel. Housed in a former convent, this museum showcases over 5,000 Mexican masks, adding another layer to the region’s rich cultural heritage.
3. From Movie Set to Family Attraction: Popeye Village
This entry goes beyond the transformation of a single building. Constructed for the 1980 musical comedy Popeye, starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall, this Maltese village was originally a film set. Inspired by the fictional town of Sweethaven, it featured 19 wooden buildings where Popeye and Olive Oyl came to life. After the film’s modest reception, the set was left unused until it was reimagined as a theme park.
Instead of allowing the film set to deteriorate, local visionaries transformed the abandoned village into a vibrant theme park. The colorful structures now host water trampolines, dining spots, a winery, and other attractions. Actors dressed as Popeye and other beloved characters roam the streets, entertaining visitors instead of performing for cameras. Whether you admire creative reuse or simply love classic cartoons, Popeye Village is a must-visit destination in Malta.
2. From Grain Storage to Art Haven: Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art
Grain silos, with their imposing structures and rigid designs, might seem less adaptable than other buildings on this list. However, they have been ingeniously repurposed into cultural spaces, including climbing gyms and museums. Among these, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA) stands out as a remarkable example of adaptive reuse.
In 2014, Heatherwick Studio transformed early 20th-century grain silos in Cape Town, South Africa, into the Zeitz MOCAA, a public, non-profit museum. The museum showcases both temporary and permanent collections of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Built around 42 hollowed-out silos, the structure itself is a masterpiece, contributing to the museum’s status as Africa’s most visited art institution.
1. From Retail Hub to Educational Hub: Austin Community College’s Highland Campus
Students from Central Texas now gather in Austin to study and reside within the repurposed walls of the former Highland Mall. Once home to a JCPenney, the building now stands as a beacon of sustainable, technology-driven education. A $46 million renovation converted the 32,000-square-foot (2,973-square-meter) space into a hub for nursing labs, culinary kitchens, a TV studio, and other cutting-edge facilities designed for practical learning.
ACC’s Highland Campus retains a unique suburban appeal, preserving iconic mall features like the banana split sculpture that once graced the food court. This blend of nostalgia and innovation creates a distinctive atmosphere for students.
The Highland Campus has revitalized the local economy and community by attracting young professionals to the area. Its sustainable design and modern amenities make it an appealing choice for future college applicants.
