20 courageous homeowners who refused to sell their properties to powerful developers
Most of us give up when we find ourselves going head to head with a big corporation, but what would we do if it was our homes that were in the balance? Property developers are known for pressurizing and offering serious money to homeowners, but as the saying goes 'home is where the heart is' - and there are some brave people out there who decided to stand up to the big shots, no matter what! True life stories of underdogs refusing to be bullied into losing their home!
If you've seen the movie Up, then read on to see what inspired this and other amazing tales, proving that sometimes life is as strange as fiction...
1. Edith Macefield refused a million dollars
She refused to sell even when developers offered her this staggering sum. In the end, they constructed their buildings around her home and Edith's story went on to inspire the movie 'Up"!
2. Mary Cook and a sliver of a home
Even though her neighbors all sold their homes, Mary refused and the developers went on to build high-rises on each side, leaving her home looking tiny in comparison!
3. Vera Coking who stood up to an Atlantic City casino owner and a 'president'
Library of Congress , Press of Atlantic City
Vera first refused to sell to a casino owner, who went on to build his latest empire around her home (photo 1.) When the casino went into receivership, Donald Trump decided to set up a casino on the adjoining plot. Trump wanted Vera's plot to create a parking lot for limos and at first went on a charm offensive. When Vera refused he turned to bullying tactics and the case ended up in court. Guess what? Vera won the case! She had the pleasure of seeing Trump's casino close down before she moved out to finally enjoy her retirement!
4. An owner who refused to sell their house in Melbourne, Australia
5. The part-owner of a duplex in Toronto refused to sell, so developers cut it in half!
6. A neo-Gothic house in New York flanked by its giant pre-war neighbors
7. A house in the middle of a freeway in China
When the Chinese government announced that it was going to build a freeway on this site, all the owners bar one decided to move out. It's hard to imagine what this homeowner when through during the demolishing and construction of the freeway, but this house has since become a symbol of resistance!
8. When Portland State University built high-rises around Randal Acker's home
ackerlaw.com , commons.wikimedia.org
This home was owned by a lawyer when Portland State decided to build student accommodation on the site. The lawyer defended his right to stay and won the case, meaning these huge university buildings were constructed around his home.
9. When developers were forced to build a ring road in Guangzhou, China
Three families refused to move from their homes, so the city was obliged to build a ringroad around their houses - the noise must be deafening!
10. Austin Spriggs from Washington refused to sell to developers, but later sold up to a company that opened a restaurant
11. Whilst everything else was destroyed, Salah Oudjani refused to leave his Roubaix home
After working and living here for 46 years, the owner of this little cafe in Roubaix refused to back down, even though he's the only resident left!
12. This quirky New-York church is the only building that hasn't been replaced by tall, concrete monsters
13. A house under a bridge
14. High-rises dwarf these Washing DC homes!
15. A little cottage sits amongst luxury houses in Suzhou, China
16. Souvenirs...
The owners of these 2 houses asked for so much money, that the developer decided to build his hotel around them. They're now run as souvenir shops - clever marketing!
17. Rural life in an urban setting
Not exactly a quiet, rural spot, but, unlike their neighbors, these farmers decided to stay put!
18. Ancient family graves in China, surrounded by a huge modern building
Selling your home is one thing, digging up your family is another! This Chinese family refused to move their family grave, but once construction work began, they gave in to developers. Even so, this 'burial mound' stayed in place whilst the new building's foundations were being dug.
19. Mrs. Ping, who lives on a mound of earth
We're not sure how she manages to live here - just getting up and down this mound must be a nightmare!
20. This Shanghai house is now in the middle of a busy road and blocks the traffic!
By Straker Julia
Writer
Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!
