# Re-purposing With A Purpose: Recycled Buildings Bring Back Industry

Published 2018-08-17 · Updated 2026-03-19 · Retail on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/retail/re-purposing-with-a-purpose-recycled-buildings-bring-back-industry

> Re-purposed buildings are not a new trend. For centuries, retailers, restaurateurs and business owners of all kinds have found ways to fit their concepts into unconventional spaces. However, as trends have evolved, there has been a boom in restoring old and unused spaces into fresh, vibrant locations again. Today we look at some of the…

Re-purposed buildings are not a new trend. For centuries, retailers, restaurateurs and business owners of all kinds have found ways to fit their concepts into unconventional spaces. However, as trends have evolved, there has been a boom in restoring old and unused spaces into fresh, vibrant locations again.

Today we look at some of the most creative redesign concepts to see what can be done with spaces that most would think of as inhospitable.

**Retail**

Recently, retailers are adding an identity and theme to their stores by re-purposing old buildings. Whether it is a hollowed out factory or even an abandoned firehouse, retailers are becoming eye-catching locations thanks to former eye sores.

> Green Front's re-purposed warehouses and restored buildings form the centerpiece of Farmville's historic downtown. Come visit! [#shopgreenfront](https://twitter.com/hashtag/shopgreenfront?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#farmvilleva](https://twitter.com/hashtag/farmvilleva?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/IOI4LyhbwA](https://t.co/IOI4LyhbwA)
> — GreenFrontFurniture (@GreenFrontNews) [December 21, 2017](https://twitter.com/GreenFrontNews/status/943873831386705920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Again, speaking of lost buildings…this [#Medhat](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Medhat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) firehall was repurposed into a jewellry store in 2017. Before and after photos of Roset by Reid [https://t.co/s1eGqWKEK2](https://t.co/s1eGqWKEK2) and the writeup [https://t.co/H8FQfKXzgW](https://t.co/H8FQfKXzgW) [#MedicineHat](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MedicineHat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/QmsLtEyzx9](https://t.co/QmsLtEyzx9)
> — I am Tracy Hyatt (@iamtracyhyatt) [March 30, 2018](https://twitter.com/iamtracyhyatt/status/979578266053885953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> When in [#Montreal](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Montreal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), a stunning overall Flagship must-see [@birks](https://twitter.com/birks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) – iconic building repurposed to include high-end hotel, restaurant and eye-popping jewellery [https://t.co/Q6ALdHB9rx](https://t.co/Q6ALdHB9rx) Bravo! [#exciting](https://twitter.com/hashtag/exciting?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#destination](https://twitter.com/hashtag/destination?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#Retail](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Retail?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) – photos & article via [@RetailInsider\_](https://twitter.com/RetailInsider_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/ia3oCa7Bii](https://t.co/ia3oCa7Bii)
> — DJ Brisebois-RCC (@loveretail) [June 13, 2018](https://twitter.com/loveretail/status/1007040484261298176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

**Restaurants**

Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, from traditional sit down experiences to grab and go food trucks. Naturally, the hospitality industry lends itself to re-purposed spaces of all kinds.

https://twitter.com/theboxlabs/status/1028694127842676736

> In London, a disused garage is being partially converted into studios, restaurants, and more; even parking garages can be re-purposed. | Discover: [https://t.co/mBOQFWKlH6](https://t.co/mBOQFWKlH6) [pic.twitter.com/TGdZanBd81](https://t.co/TGdZanBd81)
> — Petroleum Service Co (@PSCOnlineStore) [March 30, 2018](https://twitter.com/PSCOnlineStore/status/979777787291750400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Visited our local church today which, instead of closing down, has been re-purposed to include the local museum, library and a restaurant. Love it!
> @PenPure1 [@BrannanJulia](https://twitter.com/BrannanJulia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@Vanilla627](https://twitter.com/Vanilla627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@cbraunnj](https://twitter.com/cbraunnj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@annap905](https://twitter.com/annap905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@Annabella1709](https://twitter.com/Annabella1709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@jwb1764](https://twitter.com/jwb1764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@taft\_jenny](https://twitter.com/taft_jenny?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@GraziaMgb616](https://twitter.com/GraziaMgb616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@qpdollpink](https://twitter.com/qpdollpink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/fInjoxaKZG](https://t.co/fInjoxaKZG)
> — Roma Sars (@romasars) [April 7, 2018](https://twitter.com/romasars/status/982621512514572288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

**Churches**

Churches are built with as defined a purpose as almost anything. However, that does not mean they cannot be redefined upon the years neglect. Whether it is for work or play, houses of worship can be used by sinners and saints alike.

> Old church building re-purposed for skateboarding (Llanera, Spain). [pic.twitter.com/eswxcaEc71](https://t.co/eswxcaEc71)
> — Yung Likes (@elidot) [September 8, 2017](https://twitter.com/elidot/status/906219341770874880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Nice story from [@NEXTpittsburgh](https://twitter.com/NEXTpittsburgh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) about a church in Braddock being re-purposed as an office … [http://t.co/iVTMm8aZIV](http://t.co/iVTMm8aZIV) [pic.twitter.com/t2PYksoOMF](http://t.co/t2PYksoOMF)
> — I heart PGH (@iheartpgh) [September 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/iheartpgh/status/640200872073527296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

**Office Space**

Modern companies are continuing to seek out new office spaces to separate themselves from typical mundane cubicle-laden floor plans.

https://twitter.com/moodspaces/status/964550987322216450

> Re-purposed office spaces have a global appeal, [#officedesign](https://twitter.com/hashtag/officedesign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), @officefurniturenow, [https://t.co/3imvFFNIiW](https://t.co/3imvFFNIiW) [pic.twitter.com/ECtyk62cO0](https://t.co/ECtyk62cO0)
> — Office Furniture NOW (@GreenCubicles) [June 12, 2017](https://twitter.com/GreenCubicles/status/874234846830317568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Lisbon is now home to a re-purposed co-working space that embraces the idea of green [#office](https://twitter.com/hashtag/office?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) design – [https://t.co/wUdC09Ud7O](https://t.co/wUdC09Ud7O) [pic.twitter.com/LrRUwDNsuS](https://t.co/LrRUwDNsuS)
> — Interactive Space (@OfficeRelocate) [March 31, 2017](https://twitter.com/OfficeRelocate/status/847766763324485632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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Source: MarketScale, https://www.marketscale.com/industries/retail/re-purposing-with-a-purpose-recycled-buildings-bring-back-industry. Published for AI indexing and citation; cite the canonical URL. Site guide for agents: https://www.marketscale.com/llms.txt