Have a look at this historic roundhouse that has been reimagined as a private home!
The roundhouse is located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas which is known for its quaint Victorian architecture. But in the midst of all the delicate gingerbread Victorians, is this big chunky brute of a structure.
Roundhouses are usually associated with railyards. But there were no trains in this place.
This building was designed to hold a round metal tank containing coal gas (methane) for lighting the streets and homes of the city in the late 1800’s.
So what is now a stylish private residence, was once a big gas tank.
The large circular structure first appeared on the street maps about 1892, identified as the “Gas Holder”. It was later used as a warehouse for bottled spring water sold under the trade name “Ozarka”.
After the “Gas Holder” outlived its usefulness as a bottled water warehouse, it ceased operations in the 1960’s. Since then, the building has been used for various purposes including apartments, an art gallery, a restaurant, and a nightclub.
The roundhouse was vacant for a number of years and eventually fell into disrepair.
It was rescued and renovated into a private residence with an additional story added in 2002.
Today it has 4 levels connected with curved staircases and an elevator.
The lower level houses a garage; the 2nd level has a kitchen, master bedroom suite, and dining and living rooms; the 3rd level has a sitting area and bar from its nightclub days; and the 4th level is a studio space.
The roundhouse is currently listed for sale at $609,000.
Whoever lives here now seems to be an avid quilt collector.
Below is the antique elevator:
But the spiraling staircase is just as impressive…
The entire roundhouse is a phenomenal structure.
It’s a great space for displaying quilts, but the next owners get to write a whole new chapter for this unique historic place.
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