Things To Keep In Mind When Buying An Old Building For Your Business

There’s this feeling you get when you step inside an old building—the kind with sun-faded floors and walls that seem to whisper stories. Maybe it used to be a bakery. Maybe a tailor’s shop. You don’t know exactly, but something about the place feels solid. Like it’s waiting for you to bring it back to life. Turning that kind of space into a new business storefront or head office isn’t just a real estate move. It’s a leap of imagination. And it’s a big one.

Vision Meets Reality

You can picture the final result, can’t you? Open the doors, welcome clients into something warm, a little rustic, with soul. But before you get too far dreaming, here’s the thing—does the space actually work for what you need? It might be charming, sure, but maybe it has a weird back hallway that doesn’t lead anywhere. Or a main room that’s way too narrow. Be honest with yourself: will it help or hinder the way your business runs day to day? Cool aesthetics won’t solve an awkward workflow.

Zoning And Permits

This part matters more than most of us like to admit. That beautiful old corner building downtown? It might not be zoned for commercial use at all. And even if it is, local ordinances might still require you to jump through five fiery hoops before they hand you the permits. Historic district? That’s a whole other conversation. You can get through it, but patience is part of the deal.

Preserving History While Modernizing

You need to think of ways to keep the soul of the building, while making it fit for real life. Those old glass windows? Gorgeous, but freezing in winter. That narrow wooden staircase? Beautiful, but not ADA-compliant. There’s no perfect formula. You just sort of feel your way through it. It’s a process of letting go and holding on at the same time. You’ll tear down a wall and find old wallpaper you want to save. You’ll cover an antique vent because your team needs air conditioning. It’s all part of the weird, creative math of remodeling.

Do Not Overlook The Outside

Uneven concrete, crumbling curbs, or deep cracks in the sidewalk out front can make a rough first impression before anyone even walks through your door. If you notice sunken slabs or pooling water around the exterior, it’s time to call in a commercial concrete repair company. Especially if your customers or employees will be driving in daily—because no one wants to twist an ankle or bottom out in a pothole just trying to get to your front step. Fix it early, and you protect your investment before it even gets inside.

Location, Location, Renovation

A hidden gem is only a gem if people can find it. Don’t let the thrill of the building blind you to its surroundings. Is there parking? Do people walk by? What’s the neighborhood like at night? Even the most breathtaking space can feel like a ghost town if it’s in the wrong spot. The best old building is one in the right place, with the right potential, at the right time.

Renovating an old building into your business’s new home is messy, exciting, expensive, and emotional. It’s not just construction—it’s reinvention. And maybe that’s the best part. Because you’re not starting from scratch. You’re building on stories that were already there, and you’re adding your own.

Amy & Aron's