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Upcycling, reinventing and repurposing—everything and anything can contribute to a building’s new shiny life. Converting buildings is quite common and sometimes the change is quite radical: a gym that previously was a church, a mall that was converted into a school, or a Target turned Walmart. This one group on Reddit called /r/NotFoolingAnybody that has 21.2k members is dedicated to “photos of buildings that have been converted to other uses, yet still strongly resemble their former use.”

And deliberately or not, the new management chooses to recycle some details, like using the letters from the font of the previous business and sometimes even keeping the same logos. The funniest thing is that you can often tell that the masterminds repurposing the building or sign either had too much wit or too little fantasy. Either way, it’s pretty entertaining and below are the best examples of that, so don’t forget to vote for your favorite ones.

More info: Reddit

#1

Former KFC In Maiden, Nc Now A Mexican Restaurant. Col. Sanders Is Now Col. Sanchez

Former KFC In Maiden, Nc Now A Mexican Restaurant. Col. Sanders Is Now Col. Sanchez

Streetdoc10171 Report

Even though a place is converted to an urgent care center, the building decoration is still definitely reminiscent of a hut that used to sell pizza, and a church in this town adorned with UV lights and no more crosses is repurposed to be a nightclub. Usually the shape of the building that used to be a brand that follows the company’s specs is the main giveaway, but it also seems that some of the new owners of the places couldn't be bothered to remove the previous logos.

What is really impressive is the repurposing of shopping malls into schools, which, when you really think about it, can make perfect sense as there are large communal areas and what used to be retail shops that can serve as different classrooms. And what student wouldn’t like to have escalators to go from one floor to another?

#3

Dead Mall Turned Into College Building. Stores Were Converted Into Classrooms

Dead Mall Turned Into College Building. Stores Were Converted Into Classrooms

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Quite a few submissions by people are pictures of former gas stations and car washes. Businesses such as Dunkin Doughnuts or Starbucks are taking advantage of the parts of the building that are suitable for a convenient drive thru. And let’s face it, going into an old flamboyant Art Deco building that is now a Walgreens definitely makes you feel at least a tiny bit more sophisticated.

#4

Church In My Local Town Converted Into A Nightclub

Church In My Local Town Converted Into A Nightclub

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Petra Schaap
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Paradiso in Amsterdam, Oran Mor in Glasgow, both church turned into live venues. Its a nice way to keep the buildings. Paradiso looks gorgeous on the inside, Oran Mor looks nice on the outside. Why leave it empty? Also in Maastricht in the Netherlands an old church turned into a bookshop/coffee bar. i know theres many more

Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bookshop/coffee bar sounds lovely. People still hang out, just for different reasons.

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Aliquid A
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Son, where are you going this time of night?" - "To late night church ma, I swear on the bible"

SoozeeQ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's an old porn theatre in Hawaii that got converted into a church! We drove past it on a bus tour. Cant remember the name of it though. Our tour guide thought it was ironic!

RoseTheMad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty common tbh, the acoustics in church halls are great, after all. Like Jalou in York, though I will admit that place, whilst looking awesome has "meh" cocktails and not the greatest service.. (the devil's pit in Manchester however... whilst not a church, is a great club, though it is a metal club lol)

Ms LaDonna
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's finally useful! Denver did this also and it was a great place to party.

Fluffy Griffin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a church near me that converted to a nightclub for maybe 20 years and then converted back to a church within the last 10 years.

Fluffy Griffin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2013/11/08/former-clutch-cargo-nightclub-in-pontiac-turning-into-a-church/

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RJay
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Back in Charleston, SC... and old church converted to a bar/restaurant.... literally called The Church lol

Robert Bois le Duc
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's one in Vermont that's now a pharmacy. I saw one turned into a skating rink, another is a Donut Shop. They make cool houses too.

shado
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

reminds me of THE MONASTERY after hours club in Seattle WA ... where it always seemed to be raining (even on the cloudless of nights) when you stood in line outside, where they had the sprinklers going image-merg...e07541.png image-merge-6089f32e07541.png

Ernesto Q
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the most infamous church to club, see the movie Party Monster, was Limelight in Manhattan.

Israel Martinez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Limelight club in NYC, also, was formerly a church ... then it became a marketplace and is now a fitness location ...

JuJu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is my church This is where I heal my hurts For tonight God is a DJ

Jo87
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's an awesome club in Leeds, UK called Halo which is a huge gothic style old church. It is very underrated.

Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was one in Seattle in the early 80’s called the Sanctuary

Molly Block
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I LOVE THIS!! I don't think this is sad at all. I think it makes me wanna scream, "Hallelujah! Let's parrrrrtay at The Pulpit!" If that was my nightclub, that is what I would have named it. And "Party at the Pulpit" would be on every events poster I handed out. You've gotta admit, it's kind of catchy!

The Chosen One
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AAAAHAHAHAAAA WOW THAT'S WHAT THEY CONVERTED A FREAKING CHURCH INTO!?

Daniel Losinger
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

MoodyBlue
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While this might be sad, in many cases it would be even worse if they would just destroy all old buildings.

Zoltán Végh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At last... We need more of this thype of cenversion. Too many religious (= BS) place are on the world.

Shawn Wright
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"This Disco Used To Be A Cute Catherdral"-It was the name of a Christian song from back in the 80s. I don't remember the group, unfortunately.

Andy Hinds
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More churches should be closed and turned into places of fun.

Jeff Bunn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this!! Man, I could have raised Hell and gone to confession in the same place!!

Terd Fergison
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If god is a DJ, he only plays in the minds of schizophrenics and people with other mental illnesses. Otherwise he is playing the longest game of hide and seek.

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Strawberry Hellcat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Straight out of "Venture Bros." - the next incarnation for the building should be an upscale market so Shore Leave can have a hissy fit that it's no longer a nightclub. 🤣

Winx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I was a business owner I might think twice about doing something this blatantly contradictory

Jayne Kyra
Community Member
3 years ago

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Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines did this. Comment your favourite clan if you know the reference, please!

Vasana Phong
Community Member
3 years ago

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Hey, what if the music playing is modern church rock/pop/dance or hip hop, it can happen

J Cole
Community Member
3 years ago

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I don’t think god will like that 😂

Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago

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#7

A Church Converted To A Grocery Store

A Church Converted To A Grocery Store

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#8

A Former Cricket Wireless Is Now A Chicken Restaurant

A Former Cricket Wireless Is Now A Chicken Restaurant

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#9

Church Turned Into A Gym

Church Turned Into A Gym

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#10

Former Gas Station, Turned Into A Subway With Outdoor Seating - Gypsum, Co

Former Gas Station, Turned Into A Subway With Outdoor Seating - Gypsum, Co

thespudbud Report

#12

Former Woolworths, Now A Walgreens. It Feels Like A Happy Accident That The Historic "W" Letter Still Works For The Building.

Former Woolworths, Now A Walgreens. It Feels Like A Happy Accident That The Historic "W" Letter Still Works For The Building.

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#13

Dunkin’ Doughnuts Drive Thru In A Former Gas Station Car Wash.

Dunkin’ Doughnuts Drive Thru In A Former Gas Station Car Wash.

ICA2015 Report

#15

This Starbucks Drive-Thru In An Old Car Wash

This Starbucks Drive-Thru In An Old Car Wash

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Happy Daihatsu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't be rude to employees or you'll be getting a Grande chunk of soap in your Vegan Non-Fat Chai Tea Latte Mocha Frappuccino Macchiato

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#16

The Local College Bought A Walmart

The Local College Bought A Walmart

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surprised pikachu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is more common than you think. In my area we have a charter school in an old home depot.

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#17

House Converted To Burger King - Columbus, Ga

House Converted To Burger King - Columbus, Ga

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#18

A Former Burger King Listed Online As A Townhouse

A Former Burger King Listed Online As A Townhouse

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#20

Former Hot Topic Now Veterans Museum Denton, Tx

Former Hot Topic Now Veterans Museum Denton, Tx

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Becky Klebe
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the mall gets decent foot traffic, a museum like this might get more visitors than it would as a stand-alone. If my local mall had something like this, I'd go in.

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#22

The Owners Ended Their Quiznos Franchise But Wanted To Run A Sandwich Shop Still

The Owners Ended Their Quiznos Franchise But Wanted To Run A Sandwich Shop Still

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#23

This CVS In Dc Used To Be A Movie Theater

This CVS In Dc Used To Be A Movie Theater

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#24

Former Movie Theatre, Now A Library

Former Movie Theatre, Now A Library

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#25

An Orthodontist's Office Used To Be A Blockbuster - Hinesville, Ga

An Orthodontist's Office Used To Be A Blockbuster - Hinesville, Ga

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#26

A Wendy's In A Former Bank, Location Unknown

A Wendy's In A Former Bank, Location Unknown

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#28

Nickelodeon Studios! It Has Been Painted Over But You Can Still Tell What It Used To Be

Nickelodeon Studios! It Has Been Painted Over But You Can Still Tell What It Used To Be

ZMONEY0823 Report

#29

Hollywood Video Converted To A Furniture Store

Hollywood Video Converted To A Furniture Store

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#30

An Old Hollywood Video Is Now Hollywood Smokin'

An Old Hollywood Video Is Now Hollywood Smokin'

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#31

This Dominos In My Home Town Of Keyser Wv Was A Phillip's 66 Gas Station And Garage In The Early 80's

This Dominos In My Home Town Of Keyser Wv Was A Phillip's 66 Gas Station And Garage In The Early 80's

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#33

Former Target Turned Into A Walmart, They Painted The Target Orbs Yellow Instead Of Removing Them

Former Target Turned Into A Walmart, They Painted The Target Orbs Yellow Instead Of Removing Them

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#34

Old Hollister Now A Book Store

Old Hollister Now A Book Store

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#35

Big Woodys Sports Bar (Bethlehem, Pa)

Big Woodys Sports Bar (Bethlehem, Pa)

ZMONEY0823 Report

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Joseph E Fasciani
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's perfect, absolutely perfect. One stop, slop till ya drop! Ya gotta love it all.

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#36

Classic Movie Theater Converted Into A Walgreens

Classic Movie Theater Converted Into A Walgreens

Atario Report

#37

Dollar Tree In A Former Church, Location Unknown

Dollar Tree In A Former Church, Location Unknown

KrispyKayak Report

#39

This Used To Be A Majestic Liquor Store. The New Owners Really Stretched Themselves With This One.

This Used To Be A Majestic Liquor Store. The New Owners Really Stretched Themselves With This One.

Hawksong Report

#40

Somebody Named Kg Bought A Local Gas Station

Somebody Named Kg Bought A Local Gas Station

KrispyKayak Report

Note: this post originally had 55 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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