Rather than tear down or cover up what was once grand and luxurious, these buildings were given a new lease on life. Neither for the lack of available retail space, funding, or just to keep that old charm around a little longer, these new tenants preserved a large majority what was great then and still is today for their guests to enjoy.
Paramount Theater – New York, United States
A once thriving movie house in Brooklyn, the Paramount Building was force to close its doors due to financial hardships in the 1950s. Shortly after, it was purchased by Long Island University and converted the lower theater portion into their gymnasium.
Wheeling B&O Railroad Station – West Virginia, United States
Opening in 1908 as a passenger train station, it ceased passenger service in 1961. In 1967 it was converted into the main campus of West Virginia Northern Community College in 1967. It is still in operation today.
Strand Theater – Florida, United States
The Strand was a former movie theater in the heart of Key West (Duval Street), until it closed its doors in 1980. After its closing, it became a Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium for a short period until it was bought and converted into a Walgreens.
Glasgow Savings Bank – Glasgow, United Kingdom
Originally owned by Glasgow Savings Bank, one of the largest banks in Scotland during the 1890s, it operated as it’s main headquarters and banking hall until it became a branch bank during its merge with Lloyds Bank in 1995. In 1999, the branch was shut down. In 2003 it became a retail branch of the Jigsaw fashion brand.
Denton Mansion – New York, United States
Built in 1795 as a farmhouse for Joseph Denton and his family. It was converted into a Georgian mansion in the 1860 and remained as their private residence until just after World War I. After the war it was used a funeral home and then various restaurants, until it was abandoned. McDonald’s acquired the building in 1985 and converted it into a McDonald’s restaurant.
Charles Scribners’s Sons – New York, United States
Former corporate headquarters and book store of Charles Scribner’s and Sons, a publishing company, it was built in 1912 and became nationally registered as a historic place in the 1980s. After being sold from the Scribner’s, switching hands between various owners, the lower book store portion of the building is now occupied by Sephora, a cosmetic retailer.