These stubborn homeowners didn’t cave to pressure and the results are epic
Published on May 12, 2023 at 11:05 AM (UTC+4)
by Kate Bain
Last updated on May 17, 2023 at 7:07 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Have you ever wanted to stick it to the man?
Well, these people have done just that.
These stubborn homeowners have all refused to sell their beloved homes despite being offered sometimes huge money from developers.
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Remember the movie ‘Up’? That was inspired by a woman called Edith Macefield who refused to sell her house to commercial developers.
Even when she was offered over $1 million, she refused to sell.
As such, a five-story development was built surrounding her 108-year-old farmhouse in Seattle, Washington.
Macefield died in that home aged 86, after which she willed it to the building’s construction superintendent as thanks for his understanding and friendship.
Surprisingly, Macefield’s story is not all that unique.
There are actually many homes dotted around the world that remain standing as developers construct high-rises and even highways around them.
Today, they’re referred to as ‘holdouts’ or ‘nail houses’.
5. High-rise home
This owner refused to sell their home in Melbourne, Australia.
Now it stands at the center of a high-rise apartment building.
![Stubborn homeowners - Melbourne, Australia](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/stubborn-homeowners-australia-1024x640.jpg)
4. Gothic home
This townhouse captured by Ephemeral New York is now dwarfed by huge, ugly brick apartment buildings in New York.
We’re glad this homeowner stuck their ground because this beautiful, gothic-inspired home is a rose between thorns.
![Stubborn homeowners - Gothic holdout home](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/hold-out-homes-ephermeral-new-york.jpg)
3. Highway house
This home stands in the middle of a highway in China.
The homeowners refused to sell it, and as a result, the house became a symbol of resistance.
![House in the middle of a highway in China](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/stubborn-home-owners-refuse-to-sell-houses-property-108-5a0c5b8f47cb2__700.jpg)
2. Ring road apartment block
Also in China is this block of apartments in Guangzhou.
Three families who lived at the block refused to move out, forcing the government to build a ring road around it.
![Stubborn homeowners - ring road home](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/stubborn-home-owners-refuse-to-sell-houses-property-103-5a0c562923766__700.jpg)
1. Bridge house
Meanwhile, this homeowner refused to move even as they built a bridge over their house.
We can’t imagine it’s the most peaceful, quiet place to live, but the owners obviously had their reasons, and we respect that.
![House underneath a bridge - stubborn homeowners](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/dom-dada-house.jpg)
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Kate Bain is Lead Editor at supercarblondie.com. She is based in Dubai and coordinates coverage of the latest news across automotive, technology, luxury, and lifestyle. Kate has a bachelor's degree in business and post graduate in journalism. She is an experienced editor and journalist who has worked for News Corp, Daily Mail Australia, and Sky News. She has a keen interest in all things cars and, with her beloved BMW IX, is officially an EV convert.