9 surprising converted homes we've loved
For most, a typical single-storey house with a white picket fence might come to mind when you think of the word “home”.
But for these home owners, a little imagination (and dedication) helped them bring some weird and wonderful old buildings to life.
From car parts factories to beer production hubs, here are the most surprising home conversions we’ve loved.
1. Industrial chic renovated warehouse
This former warehouse was built in 1890 in the Melbourne suburb of Seddon.
Its unassuming facade belies the industrial-chic renovation within, with exposed beams, pressed metal and art deco touches throughout.
The converted three-bedder marked the owners’ third home conversion and took 20 years to complete.
Read the story: Behind this unassuming facade hides a 240-year-old relic
2. Car parts factory turned colourful home
Fashion icon Lesley Crawford was never going to live in a run-of-the-mill home.
The long-time stylist for SBS bought the warehouse with her late husband in 1997 and transformed it into the Blueshed.
The eclectic four-bedroom space features a custom kitchen (formerly a laundry) and colourful bathrooms in Crawford’s signature style.
Read the story: After six months of house hunting, Lesley bought a car parts factory and made it a home
3. Former flour mill with shipping container at its heart
This converted warehouse in Sydney is now for sale, with 120 years of history.
Once a flour mill and dairy, it’s now an industrial sanctuary with original brickwork and soaring ceilings.
The most unique addition? The shipping container in the heart of the living area on the ground floor.
Read the story: 120-year-old warehouse conversion comes with a shipping container used as a Lego room
4. Historic church conversion
Over three bright levels, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Melbourne’s South Yarra is “iconic”.
The structure was built in 1864 as a Wesleyan Church and retains signs of its past, including twin turrets, leadlight windows, and timber-lined cathedral ceilings.
A crisp white palette adds a modern touch while letting the stunning original features shine.
Read the story: ‘It’s iconic’: 161-year-old church conversion hits the market
5. Brutalist former textile factory full of art
The stark, utilitarian nature of this textile building was perfect for owners Kallie Blauhorn and Andrew Penn, who share a passion for the visual arts.
Becoming a blank canvas for over 300 artworks across every possible medium, the home was transformed by Techne Architects with one guiding rule: “art first, living later”.
Read the story: Inside the art-filled warehouse conversion of former Telstra CEO Andrew Penn
6. Beer production hub that became a family home
This four-bedroom Tassie home was previously a hop kiln (sometimes called an oast house) built for drying hops, the key ingredient in beer. The owners added a playful touch with the addition of cinema doors.
Listing agent Stephen Sutton of PRD Hobart describes old hop kilns as ‘scarce’. The renovated 135-year-old structure is on the market for offers over $849,000.
Read the story: Raise a glass to the most unique home for sale in Australia
7. Rare church hall with luxe renovations
The Brougham Place Uniting Church has long been a landmark in Adelaide, with the neighbouring lecture hall now a luxe family residence.
The cavernous home features an indoor pool pavilion. Listing agent Sally Cameron of Toop + Toop Real Estate describes it as a “very clever conversion”, adding that church conversions are rare in the Adelaide market.
Read the story: Rare chance to snap up landmark church hall for $5m+
8. Ex-schoolhouse reimagined
Located in regional Victoria, this rustic schoolhouse was reimagined as a New York loft.
An elevated central “pod” in the main hall contains the three bedrooms, which face the mezzanine balcony.
Flexible spaces, separated by concertina walls, make up the rest of the floor plan with a relaxed vintage aesthetic throughout.
Read the story: Schoolhouse turned NYC-style loft hits the market in regional Victoria
9. Mouldy, overgrown church given new life
When the opportunity arose for Richard Powell and his partner Atti Malik to buy a run-down church in the NSW Southern Tablelands, they couldn’t resist.
They saw the possibility despite its flaws – the colour scheme “hideous”, the garden overgrown with mould and slime throughout the interiors.
They transformed it into an open-plan sanctuary while living in the church with their two young children.
Read the story: When Atti asked locals if they knew any houses for sale, they told her to check out this former church
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