In 2011, a 39,000-sq-ft Michigan school on a former Air Force base sold for $40,000; 15 years later, one wing has become 5 homes and the 19-acre property is asking $450,000

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. Fifteen years later, the 39,000-square-foot property has one wing converted into five residential units and is now listed for $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.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.From $40,000 sale to $450,000 asking priceAccording to Realtor, property records show the building last changed hands in 2011, when it sold for only $40,000. At the time, however, the sprawling structure remained largely in its original condition.The property has since undergone significant work, with one of its three wings converted into multiple 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.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.”One wing has become five homesThe 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. The largest residence features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, including an en suite bathroom.Photos show an updated kitchen with wooden cabinetry, dark countertops and a large central island. The kitchen connects to the living area, creating an open-plan residential space that contrasts sharply with the property's institutional 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.Altogether, the converted section contributes to the property's current configuration of 12 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms.The gym and classrooms are still intactWhile one portion has been transformed into housing, much of the former school remains unfinished.Wing B offers a glimpse into the building's past, retaining its original gymnasium, four former classrooms and a studio space. A separate guest area includes two bedrooms, a bunk room and a bathroom.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 appealThe property's enormous footprint extends to its parking capacity. The listing records 36 garage spaces, in addition to covered parking and direct garage access.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.The nearly 20-acre parcel provides considerable outdoor space around the former school, adding another potential dimension to the redevelopment opportunity.A property waiting for its next chapterDespite the work already completed, the property remains very much a work in progress. Its combination of converted residences and untouched institutional spaces leaves room for a buyer to determine what comes next.The listing suggests several possibilities, including expanding the residential component, developing community storage or pursuing another “creative” 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.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.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.