Would You Live In A Converted Grain Silo?

Usually, in an urban environment, the non-residential structures to be converted are old, abandoned factories rather than the agricultural buildings we as modern farmers would be most interested in. But outside cities, agricultural buildings are frequently turned into luxury homes. Pinterest abounds with pictures of converted barns and farmhouses, and one California family actually converted what must have been a very large chicken coop into a very small (but very cool!) home.

The Star Tribune alerts us to a recent purchase in Minneapolis of a grain silo and elevator, near the corner of Hiawatha and 41st Street. (Google Street View indicates this is outside downtown and sort of a desolate stretch of road, with some big old unidentified non-residential buildings and a McDonald’s.) Some looking around indicates that this isn’t the first silo to be bought with an eye towards turning it into a residential building.

The buyer is Adam Mackie, who managed to snag the enormous structure for a mere $23,000, the minimum asking price. He’s hoping to turn it into what would undoubtedly be some very cool apartments, though he notes that the building needs an absurd amount of work; according to some files the Star Tribune dug up, the place has water in the basement and needs millions of dollars to turn it into a livable building.

At that price, Mackie can afford to explore his options and not really come out much worse if he chooses to abandon the project before he starts. But we kind of hope he goes forward. Who hasn’t wanted to live in a grain silo? Only weirdoes, probably.
 
[Image via Star Tribune]