Polish manor houses and palaces, or why we invest in ruins

One of the most interesting and often forgotten segments of the property market is historic houses, manor houses and palaces. It is a sector offering a narrow selection of historic plots whose history defines the characteristics of a given place and realistically translates into its value and future potential. On the Polish market, historic buildings available for sale are mainly palaces and manor houses. They once served noblemen as elegant flats or holiday estates. Among the surviving historic buildings, we can also find the homes of landowners, usually located next to agricultural fields. When these unique and rare plots of land are put up for sale, potential buyers should be aware of the responsibilities involved in such a purchase. What challenges do historic properties present to their owners? Why can owning ruins be a profitable investment?

Pros and cons of buying a historic property 

Historic manor houses and palaces attract with their uniqueness and distinctive style, not found in today's modern construction. Fans of traditional architecture will certainly appreciate the aesthetic qualities of historic houses, the original form of which is further protected by the Ministry of Protection and National Heritage. Investment in a property entered the register of historic buildings involves constant cooperation with the conservator. The renovation or redevelopment of such a place is always dependent on the decision of the conservation officer, which does not always coincide with the owner's vision. On the other hand, experts supervising changes made by private investors prevent excessive interference in manors and palaces, which remain architectural carriers of Polish history. Buying a historic property means an obligation to care for and maintain the former value of the plot, to protect the space as best as possible and to carry out restoration work on elements at risk of damage. Despite the additional responsibilities associated with owning such a plot of land, investors still take on the challenge of caring for a historic building. Sometimes the main motivation for putting money into conservation is an emotional bond with the place. On the Polish market of historic properties, we can find mainly buildings from the 19th century, evoking the times of Romanticism — an era particularly marked by patriotism and struggle for a better homeland. Maintaining such a monument is an investment in Polish heritage, and learning about and disseminating the history of a given place is an act of patriotism, contributing to the development of knowledge about the Polish nobility or landed gentry. The owners of historic houses have a great responsibility, both financially and in terms of content. However, the maintenance and upkeep of a manor house or palace gives more than just the inner satisfaction associated with caring for a piece of Polish history. By making proper use of the plot, we can also receive a real financial return on our investment. 

Use of renovated ruins 

Historic properties carry a usable potential that ordinary houses simply do not have. Due to their historical character, manor houses and palaces can nowadays be used not only as places of residence, but also as museums or hotels. Often, restored monuments have a new function assigned to them by their owners. If a plot of land with a special history is purchased and, in addition, one has access to interesting documentation or props representing the history of the area and the characters associated with it, one can seriously consider converting the building (or part of it) into a museum. It is likely that such a function of the building will not bring high profits, but it will allow the owner to interact with people who are interested in the history of the place, to deepen the knowledge of the purchased house and to discover more facts about the monument. It happens that historic properties are adapted to the function of a guesthouse or hotel. Reception rooms, restaurants and guest rooms appear in 19th century palaces. Tourists like to stay overnight in buildings marked by history, which can still be seen in the architecture and interior design elements of the building. On the other hand, smaller buildings, such as landed manor houses, can be used as places to live - either for themselves or for rent. However, it all depends on the state of preservation of the house and the possibility of bringing modern conveniences, such as sewerage, to the property. The decision to purchase a historic property opens up a whole spectrum of functions and development prospects for the building. When choosing a property, it is worth considering what the future use of the place will be if we have to look after past values.

How do I buy a heritage property?

Before buying a historic property, you should follow a series of steps to help you select and pick the right property. The number of historic palaces and manor houses on the market is severely limited, so you should remain quite flexible in your general desires regarding the characteristics of the plot. To begin with, let's determine our possibilities. This means, of course, determining the financial resources available (for the building itself and subsequent renovation and maintenance), assuming what function our property will serve, and indicating the area in which we would like to find a property. Once we know our objectives and abilities, let's conduct our market research. Checking the listed properties for sale online and comparing the listings with our intentions can make us aware of our real chances of making such a purchase. A real estate agency that mediates the sale of monuments will help us with the transaction itself. However, if we decide to pursue the acquisition of a historic building on our own, exceptional historic plots can be found at auctions run by estate agents and auction houses. Due to the modest number of available manor houses and palaces on the market, owners choose the most favourable form of sale for them, i.e. 'who gives more'. The auction shows the scale of interest in the property in question but is also a representation of the future of our planned investment. If we plan to sell the property at a profit, putting it up for auction will certainly allow us to obtain the best price. 

Historic properties on offer from Artbidy

Artbidy's Historic Properties Department offers six exceptional properties: 

1. A manor farm with a historic manor house from the 18th century — located in Lower Silesia, it covers an area of 47 hectares and is characterized by the rare overall coherence of the entire manor establishment. The main building of the estate, the romantic manor house, is the only building listed in the register of historical monuments, which significantly limits the potential involvement of the conservator in any renovation.
2. The palace and farm complex from the 19th century — is located in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship. In 1912-1914 the palace was rebuilt according to the design of architect Rudolf Świerczyński. In 1986, the site was entered in the register of historical monuments. 
3. Historic house in the Bóbr Valley from 1900 - a Lower Silesian house on a hill, surrounded by nature and captivating views. The building space has been arranged for a boutique hotel, so the monument has already taken on a new function.
4. Hansenklever Villa from the late 19th century — a house on a 7733 m2 plot in Łódź. It is currently undergoing restoration. 
5. The classicist Nekand manor house from the early 19th century. — The property is located in Rychłocice (Łódzkie Voivodeship). The manor house was erected on a slope in a park (6.43 ha) near the Warta River. The state of preservation of the building indicates the need for renovation. 
6. A complex of grain warehouses in Sławno from the 2nd half of the 19th century — listed, brick buildings, once used as grain warehouses, are now waiting for a new owner and renovation — the facility has a building permit and a ready project of reconstruction. 

If you are interested in the listed properties we offer, please contact our experts who will answer any questions and help you with the transaction.