Some people love brand new properties that no one has lived in before; others prefer older piles that offer a glimpse of interior design history in every layer of wallpaper in the lounge.

But what if you could have both?

It’s difficult to miss the growing number of industrial and office buildings that are being converted into homes, reinvigorating unused or underused properties and providing much-needed living quarters in urban areas.

At their best, such conversions offer clever design tricks and interior restyling that make the most of every square inch.

Here are some of the best conversions that are coming to market or are already available in and around Birmingham.

Queensway House in Livery Street, Birmingham.
Queensway House in Livery Street, Birmingham.

Queensway House, Livery Street, Birmingham

A short walk to Snow Hill Station and just a five-minute walk to reach St Phillips Cathedral, this former office building is currently being renovated into six one-three bedroom loft-style apartments ranging in size from 732 sq ft to 2,260 sq ft.

With prices from £250,000 for a one-bedroom up to £595,000 for a three-bedroom apartment with terrace, the vintage-meets-urban contemporary homes feature bespoke German kitchens, Swedish oak floors and deluxe bathroom fittings.

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If you have a car, parking is available by separate agreement.

The agent is Knight Frank.

Telephone: 0121 200 2220.

Apartment 16 of Royal Sutton Place, Sutton Coldfield.
Apartment 16 of Royal Sutton Place, Sutton Coldfield.

Royal Sutton Place, Sutton Coldfield

A local landmark since 1865, this listed building – the former town council chambers – has been carefully renovated into 18 deluxe apartments.

Original features have been preserved, with fireplaces restored in rooms where they were initially installed, and classic cornice, skirting boards and ceiling roses have been brought back to their former glory.

These have been complemented by modern fixtures and fittings to create fantastic living spaces.

Mix your cocktails and prepare dinner in the luxurious Italian kitchens, which come complete with fully integrated electric oven, ceramic hob and built-in extractor, plus dishwasher, washer and dryer, and fridge/freezer. Porcelain floors provide elegance.

Bathroom and en-suite areas have walk-in showers by premium manufacturer Roca, porcelain floor tiles and a clean and contemporary finish.

There are six apartments remaining, priced from £330,000, on the market with Fine and Country.

Telephone: 0121 285 5550.

Comet Works, 44-47 Princip Street, Birmingham.
Comet Works, 44-47 Princip Street, Birmingham.

Comet Works, 44-47 Princip Street, Birmingham

“Old made new, not new made old”.

This is what Javelin Block, the developer behind Comet Works, believes in and it promises to deliver another cracking development.

In the city’s Gun Quarter, it will comprise 20 units within the five original buildings, all of which date from the 1830s and were used for a variety of trades over the years, including an original press shop, a manufacturer of bullet clips for the Spitfire, and motorcycle maker Haden.

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In fact, the name Comet Works is inspired by Haden’s most popular model motorcycle, The Comet, which was first built in 1902.

Work is beginning now to create apartments, mews houses and lofts and you can bet they will all have innovative features with a distinctive style that the master for reinventing old industrial buildings is known for.

Work is expected to be completed in summer 2017.

Each of the buildings under restoration have been named accordingly in respect of their previous use: The Mill, The Press Shop, The Foundry, The Lloyd, The Blast House.

Prices will start from £195,000 and will include one, two and three-bedroom homes.

For details, visit www.javelinblock.com

The Franklin in Bournville.
The Franklin in Bournville.

The Franklin, Bournville

Conversions aren’t just for the city centre – they are also working well in established residential areas, too.

The Franklin will see the £16 million transformation of a 1960s building, the former Cadbury HQ and apparently where the Curly Wurly was invented, into 79 luxury apartments in the heart of Bournville.

Expect open plan living areas filled with natural light and 12 feet high ceilings that add to the sense of space.

Kitchen, dining area and living rooms will flow seamlessly and the developers say they are committed to creating cosy, modern homes with excellent attention to detail.

Studio apartments start at 377 sq ft while two-bed, two-bathroom penthouse suites with a courtyard are 1,334 sq ft.

Expect to part with £141,000 and upwards for these properties.

The agent is Knight Frank.

9, St James Church in Charlotte Road, Edgbaston.
9, St James Church in Charlotte Road, Edgbaston.

9, St James Church, Charlotte Road, Edgbaston

Converted churches provide another fascinating living space and for those who love Gothic style, this gem in Edgbaston, part of an award-winning development, should tick all the boxes.

The duplex apartment, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, is set over two floors, is generously proportioned at 1,464.3 sq ft and has exposed beams, plus two dramatic original Gothic windows.

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There is a large open-plan living/dining kitchen with authentic wall and ceiling beams, original arched Gothic window and oak wooden flooring, with the kitchen area expensively fitted with a range of off-white units, granite work surface, integrated appliances and specialist Karndean flooring.

An oak open staircase leads to a landing that leads to the en-suite master bedroom, which has feature windows overlooking grounds, exposed beams, plus a built-in wardrobe.

An interconnecting door leads to the second bedroom, which also has a feature Gothic-style window and substantial beams.

A family bathroom has mosaic-style tiling.

It’s on the market for £315,000 with Robert Powell.

Telephone: 0121 454 6930.