Night time photograph of large brick building by body of water with the lights shining in half of the windows. — New apartments in the repurposed Tobacco Warehouse, Stanley Dock, Liverpool, Merseyside. © Historic England Archive

New apartments in the repurposed Tobacco Warehouse, Stanley Dock, Liverpool, Merseyside. © Historic England Archive

Historic England Reveals 20 Historic Sites With the Potential to Become New Homes

Published 19 May 2026

Opportunities to create new homes from historic buildings across England are showcased by Historic England’s 2026 Heritage Investment Prospectus.

Taken from the air the image shows a large group of red brick buildings with grey roofs including a red brick tower and taller building near the back of the shot. on the left and right of the site other houses can be seen.

The Bass Maltings, Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Completed in 1907 and designed by the Bass chief engineer Herbert A. Couchman, the site comprises eight multi-story malthouses and a central water tower. © Historic England Archive

The prospectus highlights 20 historic sites where owners are actively seeking investment partners or buyers, alongside examples of where empty historic buildings have been successfully transformed into vibrant, characterful homes for people.

From former breweries, factories and mills to historic schools, banks and swimming baths, the buildings highlighted are part of the heritage that is woven deeply into our daily lives. Historic England research shows that by taking their potential and using them to shape future neighbourhoods they can continue to contribute to our identity and sense of belonging.

A large red brick building with pointed roofs and large white framed windows. A large arch at the bottom middle of the building has a sign above saying Wadworth and the same wording appears twice more on the building making it clear it was a brewery. There is a blue sky and a road by the building.

Wadworth Brewery, Devizes, Wiltshire. The Wadworth Brewery was founded in 1875 by Henry Alfred Wadworth and remains an independent family-owned brewery, now operating from a new site. © Historic England Archive

Working with partners, Historic England can help developers to unlock these vacant spaces, de-risk developments, and ensure new schemes enhance local character and build community pride in place.

If all 20 sites in the prospectus were developed, up to 1,500 characterful and comfortable new homes could be created. Taking into account land adjacent to the sites as well, the prospectus opportunities could unlock up to 2,500 new homes.

On a high street, the image shows a grand stone building with columns round its entrance and in stone words reading bank. It has two bay windows on the top two storeys.

269 Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside. This magnificent four-storey sandstone-fronted former bank was built in 1893, designed in the French Renaissance style. No 269 is located on Lord Street, Southport’s central boulevard. © Historic England Archive

This prospectus represents our commitment to supporting growth and housing needs across England. We want to work proactively with developers to deliver transformational projects that protect our heritage while creating lasting value for investors and communities.

Heritage is one of the major reasons why people feel positive and proud about the places they live. The heritage sites in this prospectus are brimming with potential and they could really be anchors for local communities again. But they need investment and we know investors and developers need advice and support to bring them back to life. That’s where we come in - we're here to help guide developers to deliver transformational projects which give a future to our historic buildings, whilst also creating value for investors and communities that really lasts.

Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, co-CEOs Historic England

Over from a road stands a large red brick building, two storey with two attic windows. There are white columns around the entrance and a large coat of arms. The name of the hotel is in gold above the entrance.

Rutland Arms Hotel, Newmarket, Suffolk. At the heart of Newmarket, and central to its long and rich history, stands the Rutland Arms Hotel. © Historic England Archive

Historic England offers helpful, constructive advice that can add value to developments. Speaking to Historic England early can help to de-risk development schemes, saving money and giving certainty. For all of the sites featured, Historic England regional teams are ready to work with new investors to bring forward sustainable regeneration.

Image shows red brick building of an unusual shape with an iron beam sticking out from the taller part of the building. On the lefthand side are large windows with small panes, most of the panes of glass are smashed. Around the building weeds grow out of the concrete floor.

Cliff Brewery, Ipswich. Tolly Cobbold Brewery is a striking industrial building dating from 1896, designed by pioneering architect William Bradford. The site was in continuous use until brewing ceased in 2002; it has been vacant and deteriorating since. © Historic England Archive

New homes in historic buildings are a huge boost, not only to the homeowners but to wider communities too. Living in historic property offers a characterful home, whilst wider communities enjoy the preservation of the heritage buildings that define their locations.

As we balance the needs of a modern population with the desire to keep the countryside green, re-using heritage buildings present the ideal opportunity to both regenerate iconic buildings within communities and to open up new homes for families.”

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross

The prospectus highlights how investing in heritage can contribute to growth targets while preserving the nation's historic fabric. Up to 670,000 new homes could be created in England by repairing and repurposing existing historic buildings. Historic buildings are also attractive to creative industries, with the sector increasingly choosing historic settings for their operations, further boosting local economies.

Historic England Reveals 20 Historic Sites With the Potential to Become New Homes

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