If you are looking for a place to live in Duluth, Minnesota, you might consider buying a historic bank. Built in 1918, this brick bank has been converted into a house but still retains the features of a bank. The lobby is now an open-plan kitchen and living room, the vault is a pantry, and the safe deposit boxes are a liquor cabinet. The mezzanine, double door entry, and water fountain remain.
The real estate listing boasts one bedroom, but I took the virtual tour and saw several offices and storage spaces that could be used for sleeping areas. You'll also have five bathrooms, listed as one full bathroom, one 3/4 bathroom, two 1/2 baths, and one 1/4 bath. As far as I can tell, the 1/4 bath is just a sink room.
Living here would be an exercise in eccentricity. Those huge windows have draperies, but if you don't like the color, it would be quite expensive to replace them. It also comes with a full basement workshop, a carport, and a 17,000-square-foot asphalt parking lot. Yes, the property includes four city lots, so you could build there, or rent out parking. Or throw quite a large party! There are drawbacks to living in a historic bank building, such as a lot of traffic, a bus stop in your front yard, and a lack of close neighbors, but there is a restaurant next door. This can all be yours for only $499,000. And you know it's secure! -via Digg
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