Second life of old walls: 18 ingenious transformations of buildings (19 photos)

Old buildings don't disappear, they're reborn. A brilliant renovation can turn an abandoned church into a trendy loft, or a former prison into a stylish library.





This collection features 18 of the most creative examples of architectural revitalization. Thanks to it, banks became bookstores, factories became art spaces, and police stations became hotels. Each project preserved the spirit of antiquity, while adding modern features to the space.

1. A theater where people now read



Once plays were staged here, now books play the main roles here. In the Argentine capital, a theater has been converted into a luxurious bookstore, El Ateneo Grand Splendid, preserving its theatrical splendor.

2. A unique hotel in a train station





In Indianapolis, an abandoned train station has been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel, the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Union Station, with an unusual feature: you can spend the night on a real train.

3. Olympic pool turned into water park of the future



The famous "Water Cube" from Beijing, where Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals in 2008, has received a new life as the world's largest water park.

4. Cement Factory Becomes Dream Home



An abandoned WWII factory in Spain has gone from being an industrial giant to an architectural masterpiece. It is now the residence of architect Ricardo Bofill.

5. A Holy Place for Book Lovers



In the Dutch city of Maastricht, an ancient Dominican church from the 13th century has found a new purpose — now it is the Dominicanen bookstore, which is included in the list of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

6. Boston Prison Becomes Luxury Hotel



Boston has committed a daring architectural crime — it has transformed a gloomy 19th-century prison into a luxury boutique hotel, The Liberty Hotel. This is not just a reconstruction, but a real escape from stereotypes.

7. Hangar turned into a tropical paradise



An incredible transformation has taken place in Krausnick, Germany: a giant airship hangar (one of the largest in the world) has become the Tropical Islands water park with a real tropical climate.

8. A ghost ship that became a green art object



An equally amazing transformation took place in the South Korean port of Incheon: an abandoned ship from the 1970s became a multi-level garden with waterfalls and viewing platforms.

9. A Pharmacy with a Financial Past



In one American city, a former bank building has received a new life as a pharmacy, where the safes now store not money, but vitamins and dietary supplements. Do you agree, an ironic turn for a former financial institution?

10. One Step From Brewery to Bar



In Germany, an old Art Nouveau brewery has been transformed into an atmospheric bar where history meets modern drink culture.

11. A swimming pool in the walls of an old church



In Surrey, England, an abandoned 19th-century Victorian church has found new life as a luxurious indoor swimming pool, where vaulted ceilings are reflected in turquoise water.

12. A Brewery Transformed into a Designer Hotel



In Wisconsin, an abandoned industrial brewery has been transformed into a boutique hotel, The Brewery District Hotel, where the spirit of history meets modern comfort.

13. The Malmaison Hotel in an Oxford Prison



Oxford has undergone a daring architectural rehabilitation: a 19th-century Victorian prison has been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel, the Malmaison, where historical austerity meets modern elegance.

14. Melbourne Gaol Becomes Event Venue



And in Melbourne, a cultural escape has taken place — the old 19th-century city prison has been transformed into a trendy event space, The Old Melbourne Gaol, where exhibitions, cocktail parties, and even weddings are now held.

15. From secret files to grocery shelves



In New York, a former FBI regional office has been given a new lease of life. Now it houses a futuristic supermarket, where among the vegetables and groceries you can find an unexpected artifact — a massive safe from the Cold War.

16. A Money Vault Became a Temple of Knowledge



In one American town, an abandoned bank building from the early 20th century was converted into a school library, preserving the architectural treasures of the past.

17. From swimming lanes to residential apartments



In the Netherlands, an indoor Art Deco swimming pool from the 1930s was transformed into a luxury residential complex, preserving the spirit of the public space, but filling it with modern comfort.

18. Hockey arena transformed into a gastronomic center



In Canada, where hockey is more than just a sport, an abandoned stadium was transformed into a spacious gastronomic market, preserving the sporting spirit of the place.