Renovating A $100K Abandoned High School Into Apartments | Unlocked

Millennials Adam Colucci, Jesse Wig and Dan Spanovich bought an abandoned high school in Homestead, Pennsylvania for $100,000 and turned it into a 31-unit apartment building. The renovation cost about $3.3 million and took 18 months to complete. Adam, Jesse and Dan are now in the process of turning a second school into an apartment building.

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

Produced by: Valentina Duarte
Managing Producer: Beatriz Bajuelos
Camera: Malhari Media
Editor: Dennis Donovan
Animator: Elham Ataeiazar
Additional Footage: Adam Colucci

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Renovating A $100K Abandoned High School Into Apartments | Unlocked

[biscaynesupercars]

Its so many abandoned buildings around the country and I’ve always wondered why this isn’t done more

[XoLiTlz]

$100, 000 is not a small sum, but when compared to the massive cost of $3.3 million to renovate, it's almost as if they acquired the building for free. Mad respect for investing to revitalize the community.

[sch-corp]

This is super cool, so good to see a heritage building like this get reused and not just demolished. But I have to question, how does such a big school come to be abandoned in the first place.

[xthatwhiteguyx]

I am so ridiculously jealous of people who have the financial means to do things like this. I'd love to renovate old buildings into modern-use commercial and residential properties.

[sidehustlevikki]

This is a wonderful renovation. I really like that they kept as much of the old structure and elements as possible rather than tearing it down and starting from scratch. We need more developers like this! So many vacant buildings that are just sitting and rotting

[kay]

we need more developers like this given the demise of office buildings and abandoned buildings

[AKIRA-wehd]

they did a wonderful job!
the common room, AKA auditorium is so cosy and beautiful.
I would totally love to live there!

[Reallymred]

What an inspiration. My name is Lory Marowelli and I am a retired railroader. After years of traveling I wanted to put down roots and bought a 14, 000 sq ft old schoolhouse in Pittsford Michigan. It’s absolutely a labor of love. It’s been a very hard road account of me doing all the work myself and self funding. I’ve just recently applied for grants. I’ve also hired a grant writer to help me register with the historical society in Michigan. My building is registered to be an event hall and coffee shop. I wish I knew so much more about the big ticket items such as: carpentry, electrical, plumbing and hvac. Like yours, the community is so happy that I’m doing something with this 20+ years abandoned building. It’s a slow but steady progress for me. I had no idea what a monstrosity project this would be but I’m still happiest in this space knowing what the end result will be. Much luck to you and thank you all for sharing your story. Once again, quite an inspiration😊

[IamSnowbird]

As a retired teacher I would love to live in an old school. I love that you left the chalkboard.

[aic]

I lived in an old high school that was renovated into apartments. The developers did a great job of incorporating the building’s history into its current esthetic. It was really cool!

[jreese]

How delightful to re-use these lovely old buildings! Beautiful!

[sarahs.]

The renovations are so beautiful, but whoever did the tiling @5:12 did an awful job.

[Allaiya.]

I love old buildings. They’re just beautiful. The design and architecture just isn’t the same for modern ones. I hope they are successful and able to save & refresh more older buildings.

[bisket]

44, 200 a month intake on full tennants. Only 77 months and it's made its money back. Fantastic stuff. Save these stellar old buildings!

[christinaburney]

I really do love this idea. I also think they should turn all the structurally sound abandoned malls into apartments too. You can fit low income apartments, and large high end apartments in one of those malls with restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries too.

[MrStrikecentral]

$1400 a month for a 1 bedroom apartment?! That's insane!

[gemstonesparkle]

So inspiring, both buildings look amazing, and have architectural features of a time that it’s not often found anymore.

[jacquelinemoshref]

I LOVE vintage buildings! These renovations look fabulous…great modern look to the interiors while maintaining some of he original details. Can’t wait to see the Schwab building when it’s done. Kudos for saving these pieces of history!!!

[Markphilip-ri]

My life changed too when I started doing this and putting money in stocks. The first few years it as really great, but this year I haven't felt like my portfolio is doing well. I have lost more than $40, 000 from my portfolio the past four months, and it's now very worrisome.

[momofmomof]

That's what they did to my old elementary school. It was so old my Dad who was born in the 1920s went there . Wonderful that you are doing this !