Discovering a $3.3 million apartment complex and 4 more multimillion-dollar dream homes within an abandoned high school.

What lengths would you go to for your dream house?

Would you prefer to relocate to a different country or renovate a space that was initially intended for a different purpose?

By thinking creatively, the Americans who welcomed CNBC Make It into their homes for an Unlocked tour were able to transform unconventional spaces such as abandoned lighthouses, old baseball stadiums, and dilapidated Italian properties into their ideal homes.

Discover the stories behind some of the most unusual homes we've visited.

An abandoned baseball stadium is now a $14 million luxury apartment complex

People initially dismissed Michael Cox's idea of transforming an old Indianapolis baseball stadium into a 138-unit apartment complex as insane.

After a $14 million renovation and remodeling, Stadium Lofts is now one of the most distinctive apartment complexes in the city.

The Indianapolis Indians' former stadium, which was in use from 1931 to 1996, was at risk of demolition before Cox's plan was implemented.

John Watson and his two sons, along with business partner Cox, purchased the landmark property for only $1.

The stadium renovation commenced in August 2011 and was finished in approximately two years. Prior to its opening in July 2013, all 138 apartments had been rented out.

The complex now consists of 95 one-bedroom apartments, 26 two-bedroom apartments, and 17 lofts. Rent prices range from $900 to $1,700, and each apartment comes equipped with a washer and dryer.

The developers ensured that certain features of the ballpark were preserved in tribute to its history, such as the original scoreboard, antique ticket booths, and press box. Additionally, they restored bases on the field.

Watson stated that the design of the building made it feel like walking into a historic stadium instead of an apartment building when you entered.

They turned an old school into a 31-unit apartment building

Intrigued by the potential of an abandoned school, Jesse Wig bought the property in 2019 when presented with an off-market deal.

The group, comprising real estate investor Adam Colucci, developer Dan Spanovich, and an unspecified third person, purchased the abandoned Bowtie High for $100,000 in 2020. They then commenced an 18-month renovation to transform it into an apartment complex.

The renovation cost more than they anticipated, but they achieved full occupancy within six months after leasing began.

The cost of living in the building is affordable, with one-bedroom rents beginning at $1,400 and two-bedroom rents starting at $1,600.

The original chalkboards and an abundance of natural light are present in some units that were previously classrooms, thanks to the large windows throughout the space.

Stainless steel appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, and walk-in closets are also features of apartments.

The team decided to purchase and renovate the vacant school adjacent to Bowtie High, converting it into a 33-unit apartment complex with features such as a rooftop deck, indoor parking, and lounge.

A pilot pays $4,000/month to live in a residential airpark

As Joe Sobczak searched for a new residence, his primary concern was not the size of the house or the availability of a yard, but rather finding a location that could accommodate his aircraft.

In 2017, he discovered his desired property at a residential airpark located at the Pine Mountain Lake Airport and purchased a 3-bedroom, 7-bathroom, 5,000-square-foot home with a 3,600-square-foot hangar for $698,000.

The community where he resides has numerous homes with hangars, each having exclusive access to the taxiways and runways at the Tuolumne County airport.

Sobczak, as a test pilot, primarily operates from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Instead of driving for three hours, he takes a 45-minute flight from San Carlos Airport and then drives 15 minutes to SFO.

Despite owning three homes, Sobczak considers this one his favorite. As a former U.S. Air Force fighter jet pilot, he has mastered the rural lifestyle and intends to stay put.

"I plan on staying here for a while," he says. "I can live here and enjoy the benefits of flying airplanes, avoiding the congestion of the Bay Area, breathing fresh air, and taking a trip to Yosemite in 30 minutes. That's all the justification I need."

For $71,000, she purchased an old lighthouse and subsequently invested $300,000 in transforming it into a residence.

In 2009, Sheila Consaul's search for a second home took an unexpected turn when she learned that the U.S. government was auctioning off lighthouses. Though the 65-year-old communications consultant was originally looking for a normal house, her interest was immediately piqued.

In 2000, Congress enacted the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, which enables the government to sell or gift away federally-owned historic lighthouse stations that are no longer required by the responsible agency.

Consaul, who had previously restored a historic home, was intrigued by the challenges that renovating a lighthouse would pose.

Since its construction in 1925, the three-story lighthouse has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and is nearly 3,000 square feet. Consaul is the first person to reside in the lighthouse since it was deserted in the late 1940s.

During the months of May to October, she resides in the lighthouse, but her primary home is located outside of Washington D.C.

The renovation process has been long and arduous," she said, "and after 10 years, it is almost finished.

The lighthouse in Headlands Beach State Park is a half mile away from the nearest parking lot, necessitating the use of a boat and crane to transport and deliver big appliances like the stove and refrigerator onto the platform.

Although she exceeded her initial $200,000 renovation budget, Consaul said that the time and effort were worth it as it was a great challenge, a great opportunity, and she loved every minute of it.

An abandoned home in Italy was purchased by these Americans for $1, and they spent $35,000 on renovations.

The opportunity to buy a building in Sicily for just 1 euro was an exciting prospect for Rubia Daniels, but she was faced with a challenge: the property had significant mold, water damage, a termite infestation, and a collapsed roof.

The deal was part of an Italian initiative to attract foreign investors in towns with declining populations. In exchange for the nominal price, homebuyers are required to renovate their homes within three years.

Daniels envisioned the completion of three dream projects - a vacation home, a restaurant, and a wellness center - when she looked at the three run-down buildings she purchased.

Daniels plans to split her time between California and Sicily in retirement, as she is building her dream house in Italy, which she couldn't afford to do back in California due to the higher cost.

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