Repurposing Old Buildings for Tourism

We love a repurposed building, especially if the alternative is that it gets the wrecking ball. We’ve seen quite a few of these places at home and when we’ve been traveling. It makes for a very cool experience and is a fun history lesson. 

At home, we have several cool buildings that used to be something and are now something else. The new tea house down the street from our house is in a tiny building that was originally the Chamber of Commerce. Now you get an authentic Asian tea experience and a small menu of incredibly interesting and yummy dishes, like forbidden rice with dried anchovies. 

The non-profit I work with does an annual event at an old school that has been turned into a hotel with several restaurants, bars, and event spaces. You can see the former gym in the title picture. There’s a basketball hoop right above the R. They have another location that used to be a crematorium. 

When I lived in Arizona, we had a restaurant that was an old jail and you could eat in one of the old cells. We’ve also eaten inside a old train car and on a ship.

Nashville’s Union Station started to see a decline in train travel and eventually closed, but was saved by the community and finally got new life by becoming a gorgeous hotel where people still live to get married in front of the historic fireplace. They were able to save original flooring in places like the bar and the restaurant, giving this modern space a unique feel.

Chances are, you’ve rarely, or never, been inside a mortuary. When in Denver, I made the point to eat in one. Yes, it’s a *former* mortuary, but it still has some original items inside. A lovely employee was nice enough to point some out to me and answer my questions about Linger-ing spirits. Though she never personally had any experiences, other employees have. The inside is beautiful, with eclectic decor, including old advertisements for the place and big windows and skylights. The brunch menu is varied, and we tried two totally different things (green curry shrimp & grits and the pandan waffles with Colorado peaches). Both were excellent. There’s also cocktail seating area on the rooftop. 

Always look for unique experiences when  you travel (or even at home). It may seem like a small thing, but I find that those things are the most memorable, because it’s so interesting and fun to see something get a new life as something else. 

What are some of your favorite old buildings that have been repurposed for tourism to preserve their history?

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