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· collected 2026-09-05 · by TOI World Desk
A former school building on a Michigan Air Force base has undergone a remarkable transformation since it was sold for just $40,000 in 2011.
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it → undergo → 2011
Fifteen years later, the 39,000-square-foot property has one wing converted into five residential units and is now listed for $450,000.
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wing → have → 450,000
The unusual property at 530 Mitchell St. in Gwinn, Michigan, is offering potential buyers an opportunity to turn a former educational facility into a residential, commercial or community-focused project.
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property → offer → project
Situated on 19.38 acres at the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, the one-story building dates back to 1960 and still retains much of its original school layout, including classrooms and a gymnasium.
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building → situate → classrooms
From $40,000 sale to $450,000 asking price
One wing of the 39,000-square-foot former school has been transformed into five homes.
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wing → transform → homes
According to Realtor, property records show the building last changed hands in 2011, when it sold for only $40,000.
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it → accord → 40,000
At the time, however, the sprawling structure remained largely in its original condition.
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structure → sprawl → condition
The property has since undergone significant work, with one of its three wings converted into multiple residences.
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one → undergo → residences
It is now being marketed for $450,000, giving it an asking price of roughly $12 per square foot based on the building's approximately 39,000-square-foot gross area.
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It → market → area
The listing, held by Dylan Willey of Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, describes the property as a potentially valuable opportunity for a “visionary buyer or investor.”
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listing → hold → buyer
One wing has become five homes
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wing → become → ?
The former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base school sits on nearly 20 acres of Michigan land.
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school → sit → land
The building is divided into three wings, with Wing A receiving the most extensive renovation.
That section has been converted into five separate living spaces, accompanied by an attached garage.
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section → divide → garage
The largest residence features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, including an en suite bathroom.
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residence → feature → bathroom
Photos show an updated kitchen with wooden cabinetry, dark countertops and a large central island.
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Photos → show → cabinetry
The kitchen connects to the living area, creating an open-plan residential space that contrasts sharply with the property's institutional origins.
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that → connect → origins
Wing A also includes two additional two-bedroom residences, one with in-unit laundry, along with an open-concept studio and a four-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom residence.
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A → include → studio
Altogether, the converted section contributes to the property's current configuration of 12 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms.
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section → convert → bedrooms
The gym and classrooms are still intact
The unusual property still features its original gymnasium and multiple former classrooms.
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property → feature → gymnasium
(Photo: Realtor.com)
While one portion has been transformed into housing, much of the former school remains unfinished.
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much → transform → school
Wing B offers a glimpse into the building's past, retaining its original gymnasium, four former classrooms and a studio space.
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B → offer → gymnasium
A separate guest area includes two bedrooms, a bunk room and a bathroom.
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area → include → bedrooms
For a buyer willing to take on another ambitious renovation, these spaces could potentially be converted into additional housing or adapted for an entirely different purpose.
Wing C remains largely in its original condition and includes storage areas, group meeting spaces and a large garage.
36 garage spaces add to the appeal
A $40,000 school purchase has evolved into a $450,000 redevelopment opportunity 15 years later.
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purchase → take → opportunity
The property's enormous footprint extends to its parking capacity.
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footprint → extend → capacity
The listing records 36 garage spaces, in addition to covered parking and direct garage access.
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listing → record → parking
The property is also connected to electricity and natural gas and has public water and sanitary sewer services, giving a future owner access to key infrastructure.
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property → connect → infrastructure
The nearly 20-acre parcel provides considerable outdoor space around the former school, adding another potential dimension to the redevelopment opportunity.
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parcel → provide → opportunity
A property waiting for its next chapter
Despite the work already completed, the property remains very much a work in progress.
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property → wait → progress
Its combination of converted residences and untouched institutional spaces leaves room for a buyer to determine what comes next.
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what → convert → room
The listing suggests several possibilities, including expanding the residential component, developing community storage or pursuing another “creative” vision.
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listing → suggest → vision
For a buyer willing to embrace its unusual history, the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base school offers something few conventional properties can: nearly 39,000 square feet of building space, almost 20 acres of land and a partially completed conversion into homes.
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properties → embrace → homes
What began as a $40,000 acquisition in 2011 has evolved into a $450,000 redevelopment opportunity, with much of the building's next chapter still waiting to be written.
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much → begin → chapter
