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Proof That a Church Can Become a Home

  • March 8th 2011

by UrbanTurf Staff

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Proof That a Church Can Become a Home: Figure 1
Sanctuary of Capitol Hill church for sale

About two weeks ago, UrbanTurf featured a church that was for sale on Capitol Hill. We noted that the former home of the Unity of Washington church would likely draw interest from a select buyer pool, primarily developers with any eye to converting the property for a new use (likely a small condo project).

The Wall Street Journal has proven that the buyer pool for a property like this may be larger than we think. In their House of the Day feature, the newspaper has profiled a former church that was purchased by a real estate developer in 2007 and then converted into his residence.

Proof That a Church Can Become a Home: Figure 2
San Francisco church turned home. Image from The Wall Street Journal.

In addition to replacing floors, repairing leaks and adding bedrooms, the owner, Siamak Akhavan, also had the property “seismic retrofitted” to better withstand earthquakes, according to the paper. The exterior of the church was updated, but looks very similar to when it was purchased four years ago, and the bell tower is still in place although now it has been converted to a walk-in closet and office.

Proof That a Church Can Become a Home: Figure 3
Exterior of former church. Image from The Wall Street Journal.

On the market for $7.49 million, the San Francisco church makes the one on Capitol Hill look like a steal (although Akhavan did put about $3 million worth of work into his home).

See other articles related to: capitol hill, churches, luxury real estate dc, san francisco

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/proof_that_a_church_can_become_a_home/3122.

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