Weird and Wonderful Properties

 

 

 

As Halloween approaches, we thought we’d take a look at some of the world’s weird and wonderful properties.

 

Trick-or-treating could get complicated in this home, as the entrance is through a roof window. The Upside-Down House in Szymbark, Poland was built in 2007 by Daniel Cazpiewski, a Polish philanthropist and businessman. The concept of the house is to symbolize that life in Communist Poland was “like living in a completely disturbed world.” The house took 114 days to complete, with construction workers suffering disorientation due to the odd angles. Not only is the house upside down, but it’s built at a tilt, making moving about a challenge. Tourists often experience dizziness that resembles seasickness within minutes after entering. The intention of the Upside-Down House is to increase awareness for “humans to work together to better the world.”

Now here’s a home where you can really ‘hang your hat.’ Located east of Madrid in central Spain, the mysterious and precarious Hanging Houses are estimated to have been built in the 15th century. The Hanging Houses have been occupied by residents, commercial businesses, and most recently, restaurateurs. The homes have been renovated several times and draw tourists from all over the world.

 

Krzywy Domek, which translates in English as “Crooked House,” is a fairytale-inspired building that houses restaurants, boutique shops, and the local radio station. Located in Sopot, Poland, Crooked House was created by design team Szotynscy & Zaleski in 2004 and is part of the Rezydent shopping center. Inspired by Polish fairy tale illustrator, Jan Marcin, and Per Dahlberg, the commercial building attracts its share of tourists who have reported bouts of vertigo upon entering.

 

 

Thin is “in” at this London-based property. Aptly nicknamed “The Thin House” this one-bedroom apartment measures 600 square feet and is currently on the market for nearly a million pounds. It’s referred to as one of London’s “five weirdest buildings.” As petite as the home appears on the outside, the interior dimensions prove otherwise, offering a spacious living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.

 

 

Located in Vienna, The Hundertwasser House is considered one of Austria’s architectural gems. Designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, also known as Friedrich Stowasser, the colorful house elicits attention from locals and tourists alike. More than 200 trees and shrubs adorn the balconies and roof, making it a green focal point of the city. Residents are allowed to decorate and adorn their windows to their liking, adding to its artful expression. While the interior is not open to tourists, the adjacent Hundertwasser Village will accommodate curious visitors and feature shops and a local pub.