13 of the most exciting renovation projects to buy now
A renovation project is a tempting prospect for many reasons, but none more so perhaps than how much more you can get for your money if you're willing to undertake major works. They come in all sorts of states, from near-derelict buildings that almost need demolishing and rebuilding to well-appointed houses with decoration that hasn't been changed since the 1970s. Whatever level of project you're looking for these properties are in need of a lot of love and offer a new owner the opportunity to really make a house feel like their own. From a mansion house in St. John's Wood in London, to a castle in central France, these are the renovation projects to buy now.
1/13Acharacle, Scottish Highlands
This detached dwelling house is fairly uninspiring, but sits within some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the UK. The bungalow is currently modest, with three bedrooms, one bathroom and a dual aspect living room, but a spectacular 84.2 acres of land and shoreline is also included in the purchase. Based at the head of Loch Sunart in the Scottish Highlands, the house is close to a cute and well equipped village. Though the dated interiors would need some attention, the £750,000 bungalow could be the perfect investment property for someone looking to escape to the highlands.
2/13Pimlico, London
23,185 square feet, with ten bedroom suites, an indoor pool, staff quarters and perched on the side of the Thames: it’s not often a house like this comes onto the market in London. With Pimlico Gardens to the west of the house, and views over London at the front, this Pimlico mansion house is super rare. It’s also prime real estate for developers, and there’s already a positive pre-app which outlines the potential redevelopment of the single-occupancy detached house into 12 lateral apartments. The house is on the market for £15 million and would take a vast budget to transform into flats, so this one isn’t for the faint hearted.
3/13St Neot, Cornwall
From a £15 million London mansion, to a £65,000 derelict pair of cottages in the picturesque village of St Neot in Cornwall. Despite their considerable state of disrepair, these crumbling Cornwall twins have mounds of potential for a buyer with an imagination, and there’s already existing planning permission for the reinstatement and repairs required to transform them into a single house.
4/13Ascott d’Oiley, Oxfordshire
A listed building is likely to feature plenty of beautiful, original features, but can also be tricky and expensive to renovate. Hence, some listed properties end up neglected and in need of an injection of money and sensitive renovation. This rare Grade II-listed Oxfordshire farmhouse, which stands within the bailey of the 12th-century castle of Ascott d’Oiley, falls under that category. The farmhouse has 16th- and 17th-century origins, and also includes an early 13th-century window surround which may have been part of a private chapel. The eight bedroom house is arranged over two floors and has exceptional period features, including charming stone walls and wooden floorboards, as well as several vast original fireplaces. The current owner has designed plans which would merge the farmhouse with a barn in order to create a modern family home, fit with a cinema and a further reception room, but planning would need to be obtained.
5/13Shrewsbury, Shropshire
A property auction is quite a nifty way of finding a bargain: the houses are often priced well, and need to be sold quickly. Often they are fixer-uppers, just like this one in Shropshire. The Grade II-listed riverfront house is believed to date back to 1380. Considering its age, the house is in relatively good condition. For a potential buyer, the three stories provide endless possibilities, with charming wooden beams, iron fireplaces and cathedral windows scattered throughout. Currently, the basement plays host to a somewhat neglected storage area, which – with a bit of attention – could become another rather lovely room. With a guide price of £190,000, we expect this will be snapped up when bidding opens.
6/13Cromer, Norwich
Just off the Norwich Road and a stone’s throw from the Norfolk coast, this Victorian terrace gives you quite a lot of bang for your buck. Arranged over three storeys, the house has five bedrooms and two bathrooms, each of which are well lit thanks to the generous amount of light flooding through the original windows. The windows aren’t the only period feature still standing, either. Throughout, cornicing, plasterwork and fireplaces remain intact. As far as renovation goes, the work needed is mainly cosmetic: a dated, slightly haggard looking carpet is easily replaced, and new tiles and a lick of paint will work wonders on the bathroom and hallway.
7/13St John's Wood, London
This vast mansion, surrounded by a large garden, is on the market for the first time in 60 years. It’s rare to find such a large, detached house in such a centrally located area of London, which is reflected in the £30 million price tag. The house itself, which has eight bedrooms, was built in the neo-Georgian style and is around double the width of the other houses on the road, which gives a sense of its grandeur. It is positioned on the corner of Acacia Road and Radlett Place in north west London, just a ten minute drive from Mayfair. St John’s Wood is one of London’s most affluent areas, with celebrities like Sir Paul McCartney living in the area, and Rihanna renting there when she stays in the UK.
8/13Alford, Lincolnshire
The starting bid for this derelict Grade II-listed semi-detached cottage in the historic market town of Alford, Lincolnshire is just £20,000. The low price is indicative of its state, however, and though the cottage could blossom into a fairytale home, it’s currently quite an ugly duckling. It is neatly proportioned, with a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor and three bedrooms on the first floor. The neighbouring property has already undergone renovations and would have increased vastly in price, so this is good for a first time buyer looking to get really stuck into a renovation, or someone looking for a flipping project.
9/13Gannat, Allier
Imagine an old French castle, and something like this 15th-century listed stunner in central France will come to mind. The large rectangular main building is flanked to the west by two large buildings with magnificent spires and canonical roofs. Inside you’ll find the original ribbed vaults, spiral staircases, a Medieval defence system and monumental fireplaces and chimneys. Previous owners include illustrious companions of Joan of Arc and chamberlains of Kings Charles VI, Charles VII and Louis XI. Could you be the next addition?
10/13Stockbridge, Hampshire
Like something out of a picture book, this charming cottage in Stockbridge, Hampshire needs a lot of hard work to resuscitate it back to its original state. The exterior is beautiful red brick, classic of the area, with beams and sweet pitched roof. Inside, the current layout would allow for around four bedrooms on the first floor and is big enough to accommodate two living room areas on the ground floor. Planning permission has not yet been applied for, but you’d certainly need it to overhaul the derelict cottage.
11/13Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Sometimes a house listing can catapult you into a parallel version of your future. This magnificent 12th-century castle does just that. Unusual for a castle of its size, this white-washed castle (complete with actual turrets) is located in the middle of a lovely village in the beautiful Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The castle is built on a quadrangle plan, with a tower at each corner and two parallel houses built into the inside courtyard in the 17th century. Period features can be found throughout the house, including a grand stone staircase and vintage parquet flooring. Different parts of the castle have been renovated to varying degrees and it would need a good eye to transform the property as a whole.
12/13Stroud, Gloucestershire
Stroud in Gloucestershire is an established a hub of creativity. If you’re an artistic mind looking for a project, this two bed terraced house on Bridge Street could be the one for you. The house is Grade II-listed and features plenty of original features including wooden floors, a cellar and a courtyard garden. With an attractive red brick exterior and sash windows, the house requires a bit of attention inside, but it’s not in total disrepair.
13/13Chelsea, London
We can thank vintage horror films for a consensus formed against ‘creepy’ abandoned hotels, but they also tend to be incredibly evocative, historic buildings with a huge amount of space. This property is on Oakley Street in the heart of London’s wealthiest neighbourhood, Chelsea. Formerly the Oakley Hotel, the building is 3,500 sq ft, and is now on the market for £5.5 million. The interiors are definitely dated, with plenty of wall-to-wall carpet, magnolia wallpaper and gilded mirrors, but it has a lot of potential, and the red-brick exterior and location means this is a bit of a steal.
