Real Estate: Castles in Europe

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
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E. England
There's no whys or wherefores on this. Often it's to do with an architectural style or appreciated building construction.

So, barns in the UK countryside that were used agriculturally to store hay or grain, animals etc, back in the Industrial Revolution and after, often have architectural merit in roof structure, and are Grade 2 or even 1A listed.

Ecclesiastical buildings like churches and cathedrals too, and castles. Many industrial buildings of great design interest or even use of building materials are often deemed vital, and thus Listed.

In our case, there are/were so many of these Methodist chapels of which we've bought a fantastic example, but deemed "not of interest/merit", and thus not Listed. Some snobbery here, Methodism was not revered in the same way as Angicanism (Church Of England), and thus chapels were not protected as churches have been.

Of course the irony is that planning permission to acquire change of use on planning of Listed churches from place of worship to domestic residence is very hard to get, and these churches fall into disrepair. Barns much more positive.

And that's the reason we now live in a Non Listed chapel. Already converted, although needing total renovation, and not handcuffed/made bankrupt by the suffocating obligations.
 

gilles13

Well-Known Member
Dec 17, 2015
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south of France
You can choose a small castle, you find a lot in France. Nobody need a big one . Big castle may be good for hotel... I love going to castel /hotel.
 

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
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E. England
"When you look long into a castle, the castle looks into you"
F. Nietzsche, bankrupt and destitute former castle owner and busking philosopher
 
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Mikem53

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Oct 1, 2020
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Truly beautiful design and surroundings.. looks like something from a Disney movie set.. I would prefer being away from any metro area.. I think you should get it, fly us all out for a week and let us help you break it in properly..!
 
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Mikem53

Well-Known Member
Oct 1, 2020
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Well, in that case they both found what they were looking for. You could also add Colourfield to the castles in the air enthusiasts.
Good day to you, I had to look that group up.. I will see if I can locate their version online..
 

chrisr

Member Sponsor
Aug 29, 2011
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castleist.com has listings too. Amazingly low prices on some, I'm guessing because there is no working plumbing, HVAC, etc., might still have the plague from the 14th c. in the loo pit ;)
 
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Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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Beverly Hills, CA
castleist.com has listings too. Amazingly low prices on some, I'm guessing because there is no working plumbing, HVAC, etc., might still have the plague from the 14th c. in the loo pit ;)

The consensus, above, is that buying these things is the least expensive step.
 

AMR / iFi audio

Industry Expert
Aug 21, 2019
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ifi-audio.com
Exactly. I hardly believe it is true, but I once heard from a real estate guy in France that sometimes you can even get a castle for a symbolic Euro in the Loire river region provided you take a full responsibility for the renovation and maintenance for at least 25 years, but then you find yourself in a rabbit hole situation.
 
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infinitely baffled

VIP/Donor
Jul 2, 2015
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Scotland
But they will respond very favorably to the idea of changing the floor plan because of better dimensions for a „listening room“ - not
The drawing room is perfect for a listening room
 

infinitely baffled

VIP/Donor
Jul 2, 2015
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That is very interesting Marc, thank you.

Does the Grade 1 listing also mean that, without changing walls or tearing anything down or replacing windows or doors, the purchaser cannot add drywall or soffits or a dropped ceiling to run HVAC ducting? Or replace plumbing fixtures, bathrooms and kitchen appliances?
You don't need air conditioning in England Ron. It's completely superfluous.
Does it say how much renovation is required?
 

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