With their huge spaces and gorgeous rafters, these empty theatres for sale have the bare bones to become incredible homes. If you’re on the hunt for a fixer-upper to transform into your dream house, step right this way...

Firstly, a little inspiration. This project in Barcelona by Cadaval & Sola-Morales architects shows that with a little creativity and some elbow grease, these striking properties could be converted into quirky, one-of-a-kind homes that ooze wow factor. From Art Deco gems to old cinemas, let your imagination run wild with these enchanting entertainment venues... 

This striking cinema building in downtown Los Palos is packed with classic Hollywood appeal. It was constructed in 1945 and encompasses roughly 4,560 square feet. The bold design and geometric detailing on the exterior façade give it an unmistakeably Art Deco vibe, providing the perfect inspiration for your eye-catching renovation project.

The interiors offer plenty of potential for a contemporary facelift. Keeping the box office layout but updating it with modern materials could be a wonderful way to pay homage to the building’s original function, however, we're not sure that most buyers would want to keep that mirrored ceiling or swag-effect wallpaper.

Inside the screening room itself, the bold decorative scheme and geometric shapes offer a nod to the building’s Art Deco style. Preserving these elements could be a fantastic way to incorporate some of the authentic features into your own quirky residence, mixing them up with modern materials and finishes for an updated look.

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If you’re planning to convert this California cinema into an unusual home, then you’ll want to make the most of the airy double-height ceilings. A broken-plan layout, where the main living areas are separated by changes in level, could be a fantastic way to utilise the space. Plus, it’d give a stylish, industrial feel to the zone.

This iconic single-screen movie theatre has been entertaining silver screen enthusiasts since the 1920s. Originally built in 1910, this historic movie theatre has undergone plenty of improvement works already in the past decade. The traditional architectural style and neat brick façade will leave guests in no doubt as to the history of your newly converted home.

The building already benefits from modern services, fittings and connections and could be the ideal development opportunity if you’re looking for a renovation project that doesn’t involve stripping the building back to its bare bones. The interior is fully kitted out for movie-goers, so there’d be quite a lot of work to do in terms of transforming the layout into a more residential format.

Featuring few original decorative features, the refurbished screen room offers carte blanche in terms of transformation potential. One possible living solution could be to have a mezzanine sleeping level or lounge area overlooking the dramatic main living area below.

Cinemas are, of course, windowless, and while this is great for viewing the latest Star Wars flick in perfect darkness, it could present one of the biggest challenges from a design perspective. Overhead glazing in the form of fixed rooflights could provide a savvy solution, allowing sunlight to stream into the room from overhead.

If it’s a characterful home you’re after, then this historic theatre and café in downtown Duncan, Oklahoma, might be just the ticket. Originally built in 1912, this heritage gem has undergone many upgrades over the years. If the building’s current area of 7,000 square feet doesn’t sound like it’ll be enough for you, there’s potential to extend the second storey to create extra space too.

Over the years, this impressive space has functioned as both a cinema and a live entertainment venue for concerts. With such vast square footage, you’d have free reign to arrange the new living areas as you wish. However, it’d be worth bringing a skilled architect on board to help you showcase some of the original features such as those soaring ceilings and the retro refreshment kiosk.

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Structurally speaking, levelling out the floor to get rid of the staggered gradient would be one of your biggest jobs. However, that doesn’t mean all the accommodation in the main space has to be spread across one level. If you don’t want to use walls and partitions, introducing areas on raised platforms could be a clever way to differentiate zones.

The mezzanine overlooking the main stage area currently houses a small café. However, this could be easily be transformed into a cosy private lounge area, offering a more intimate space than the airy living zone below. It might also provide a suitable spot for a home office, where you can work whilst still keeping an eye on what’s going on downstairs.

Located in New York state's Sullivan County, this dilapidated theatre on the main street of Monticello has seen better days. While it may be in need of a serious renovation, the historic 1930s building isn't short of charm – that stunning Art Deco brickwork has no end of curb appeal.

 

Inside, it's clear that this historic space has been neglected for some time. In the vast 800-seater screening room, crumbling plaster has left the ceiling beams exposed and a layer of dust covers the rows of chairs. While it's definitely a fixer-upper, the interior is a veritable blank canvas, giving a buyer the opportunity to start from scratch and create a completely bespoke home.

Once the entrance and ticket office, this dilapidated space is now a vacant shell, however, signs of its former grandeur still remain. We'd love to see that incredible coffered ceiling restored and incorporated into a modern conversion.

Offering a vast 10,000 square feet of space, which includes a private parking lot, this characterful theatre is crying out for someone with the vision – and money – to make it shine once more. While extensive remedial works are required, there's lots to love about this heritage property, especially the original marquee signage over the entrance!

For your own piece of Gatsby-era history, it doesn't get better than this historic cinema, dating back to 1924. Recently refurbished, the property presents an ideal opportunity for a new owner looking to carry out an internal remodel and facelift, rather than an extensive renovation job.

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Period features such as the refreshment bar add characterful touches befitting of the Roaring Twenties theme, something we'd love to see carried through a residential conversion. Modern connections and plumbing are all in place, and if getting rid of the theatre furnishings feels like too much work, the seller will consider offering the building empty.

Measuring 3,191 square feet in total, this 1920s gem offers plenty of space to experiment with and create a unique layout that meets your needs. The walls surrounding the main screen are decked out with Art Deco-inspired designs, befitting of the period in which the cinema was built. These could be highlighted by a clever redesign, incorporating the eye-catching focal points into the new living spaces.

While not as sprawling as some of the theatres on this list, what this cinema lacks in size it makes up for in character and charm. Plus, there’s still plenty of height overhead to create an uncluttered, spacious feel. The ideal place for an open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining room, you could zone the areas by using different floor finishes or incorporate moveable dividers, such as bookcases on casters, for a more flexible set-up.

This multi-purpose marvel was originally designed by noted architect CJ Bailey and constructed in 1913. Back in the day, residents of the town used to come here to watch silent films and live comedy performances, but by 1920, business had gone downhill when the theatre was eclipsed by the construction of a large new cinema nearby. The building was given a fresh lease of life in 2010 when it finally re-opened its doors as a performance space.

The main stage is a masterpiece in itself. With the help of a clever architect, it could be transformed into one of the property’s main design talking points. The high ceilings offer a capacious living space, while the flexible layout provides plenty of possibilities for development.

The balcony level overlooking the main stage oozes vintage charm, thanks in large part to the gorgeous plasterwork adorning the ceiling. Other features such as the ornate coving and handsome fireplace could be a key part of the aesthetic for any future residential conversion.

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In the bar area, smooth timber finishes impart classic, heritage appeal. With its wood panelling and ornate carved details, we could just see this space as a grand living room or avid entertainers might choose to leave the bar intact. The traditional style could be beautifully offset with a collection of antique furniture and cherished pieces of art.

This regal cinema comes with a long and fascinating history – on its opening night, 27 June 1940, the theatre received hundreds of telegrams from well-wishers, including messages from big names such as Bing Crosby, Jimmy Cagney and Cary Grant. The first tickets would have set you back 35 cents unless you wanted to splash out 40 cents to sit in a private box.

The theatre was built in the Streamline Moderne style of Art Deco that flourished in the 1930s, an aesthetic inspired by sleek, aerodynamic design. From the sweeping curved forms and long horizontal lines to the cylindrical silhouettes, it's clear to see the architectural influence both inside and out.

The theatre has undergone various updates over the years, including a number of major remodels. However, the original architecture has been retained in the lobby, balcony and main projection booth, offering no end of period details for a history-loving buyer to preserve. The original stages are even intact in two of the movie theatres too.

Bright colours and unique decorative details abound throughout this stand-out building – we love the stunning frieze that runs across the top of the exterior! All refurbishment works so far have been meticulously carried out to preserve the original charm and character of the structure, so any fresh development plans should be mindful of protecting the building's history too.

Built in 1900, this gorgeous cinema is the oldest in our selection. Situated in downtown Salida, it was once the town’s exclusive motion picture theatre. Spanning an area of 6,704 square feet, it could now be transformed into a one-of-a-kind home full of individual charm. 

There’s already plenty of magnificent design features you’re sure to want to keep, including the original brick walls and characterful hardwood floors in the lobby. Framed by timber panelling, the entrance is rustic and warm, offering an inviting welcome that bodes well for a future home.

Encompassing the ticket booth and retail area, the traditional layout has a saloon-like feel, which could be incorporated into your new kitchen-diner space. For example, the position of the current counter would provide an excellent spot for a sleek breakfast bar, with all of your appliances and cooking gadgets tucked away out of sight on the other side.

Helpfully, the theatre rooms have already been stripped back, ready to be renovated. This area might provide the ideal space for your own home cinema, with the acoustic insulation for soundproofing already in place. It would also be the perfect spot for a cosy, quiet bedroom, away from the hustle and bustle of the main street at the front of the building.

If it’s early 20th-century grandeur you're yearning for, then look no further than the Darress Theatre. Built in 1919, this stunning cinema retains oodles of original charm – despite the loss of the original signage marquee that was severely damaged when it was struck (on two separate occasions) by delivery vehicles.

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The facade's sleek linear detailing and bold geometric design are characteristic of the Roaring Twenties era in which the theatre was built and would make a stunning addition to a one-of-a-kind home conversion. As well as the theatre room on the main level, the building also comes complete with a fully-functional apartment on the top level, so free accommodation is available on-site while you're transforming the interior of the main structure.

The theatre originally opened its doors as a vaudeville venue for silent movies, which died out in the 1930s when sound was incorporated into filming. The building comes with a rich and vibrant legacy, with old-time greats such as Mae West, Cary Grant and Bing Crosby having tread the boards here. The lavish ornamentation of the main stage area, which features numerous viewing balconies, makes this one of the most striking cinemas in our round-up.

The stunning ceiling design is one of the theatre’s biggest design talking points, thanks to the intricate plasterwork and soaring cathedral-like height. Framing the balconies, the red archways mirror the sleek, curvaceous silhouettes of the exterior façade, creating a sense of architectural continuity throughout.

If you have a bigger budget to play with, this remarkable relic of Golden Age cinema could provide a stunning renovation opportunity. Built in 1930, the Berry Theatre is a substantial structure, with an impressive floor area of 9,870 square feet. The grand building's imposing, streamlined silhouette is typical of 1920s and 30s Art Deco architecture.

Having functioned as both a cinema and a live concert venue, who's to say that this impressive building can’t be transformed into an extraordinary residential property too? The towering ceilings in the main theatre offer an airy space for multi-functional living – perhaps the kitchen, lounge and dining space could be situated downstairs, while the balcony mezzanine could hold bedrooms or a library.

However, this project isn’t for the faint-hearted, as parts of the early 20th-century building – including the box office – have been completely gutted. The upside of this is that you're left with a blank slate to put your own stamp on, and with so much space, the possibilities really are limitless.

As with the previous projects, channelling natural light into the main theatre is likely to be one of the biggest design challenges you’ll face. Working with a skilled architect, we'd love to see swathes of windows and skylights installed here, drenching the space in daylight. Internal glazing could also provide another sleek solution for separating zones without compromising on interior light flow. Feeling brave? Snap up this show-stopping space and unleash its potential.

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