Bids have started over £29,000 (almost $38,400) for a Victorian train station signal box in the English Riviera. The quirky, coastline-adjacent property is ready to be converted into a three-story holiday home or rental, according to The Independent.
Here's what to know
The property is located in the seaside resort of Torquay at the Torre railway station on the Riviera line, which is still operating even though no one is present there. The structure is now being offered in an online auction run by Paul Fosh Auctions.
The company told The Independent that Torbay Local Authority has already granted permission to turn the Grade II-listed former signal box into a livable space.
The conversion plans lay out three levels. There will be a snug on the ground floor, an en suite bedroom on the second floor, and a combined kitchen and living space at the top of the building. Its railway past will still be visible with levers and other signaling features remaining in place.
More background
For buyers drawn to historic buildings and unconventional layouts, it offers a rare chance to own a distinctive property that's only one mile from the English Riviera.
BBC News reports cited by The Independent say the property sold for £65,750 ($87,000) in 2021 — £36,000 ($48,000) higher than the current opening bid.
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Where can I learn more?
If this signal box conversion caught your eye, you may be pleased to learn about other unconventional housing ideas.
• In the U.K., Bellway is rolling out eco-friendly homes fit with solar panels and heat pumps.
• One homeowner learned an off-grid build demands a real world understanding of inspections and site limits.
• A family living off the grid says money-saving energy solutions shape meals, heating, and battery use.
• One off-grid homeowner found solar panels for off-grid living come with a steep learning curve.
• Energy experts say rooftop solar can deliver free electricity for decades and lift home value.
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