andrew
In a world where urban development often forces homeowners to relocate, some houses have stood their ground—literally. Across the globe, there are amazing stories of homes built or left standing in the middle of busy roads, refusing to be erased by modernization. These homes symbolize resilience, history, and sometimes defiance, becoming unexpected landmarks in the cities that surround them.
Let’s explore some of the most famous houses in the middle of roads, the stories behind them, and why they still exist today.
1. The Nail Houses of China
What is a Nail House?
In China, houses that remain standing while roads, highways, or commercial buildings rise around them are known as “nail houses”. The term comes from the idea that these houses are like nails stuck in wood—difficult to remove.
Famous Examples:
Guangzhou’s Nail House – This house stood defiantly in the middle of a newly constructed highway, forcing traffic to split around it. The owner rejected compensation offers, demanding a fair price for relocation.
Chongqing’s Nail House – One of the most iconic examples, this house was left standing on a raised pillar of land, completely surrounded by a massive excavation site.
Shanghai’s Nail House – This small building remained in the center of a shopping mall construction site, refusing to be demolished until a fair agreement was reached.
Why Do These Houses Exist?
Many of these homeowners refuse to move due to low compensation offers, sentimental attachment, or legal disputes. Some have even won legal battles, allowing their homes to remain despite development pressures.
2. The House in the Middle of a Highway – Wenling, China
One of the most famous houses in the middle of a road was in Wenling, Zhejiang Province, China. The government wanted to build a new highway, but the homeowners refused to leave due to unfair compensation.
What Happened?
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The house remained in the center of the road, with cars speeding by on both sides.
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The elderly couple living there held out for better compensation for years.
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Eventually, they agreed to a settlement, and the house was demolished.
Fact: The house stood in the middle of a functioning highway for over a year!
3. The House in the Middle of a Roundabout – France
In Bordeaux, France, a lone house sits in the center of a roundabout, surrounded by traffic. The owners refused to sell, and instead of demolishing it, city planners built the road around it.
Why Does It Still Exist?
The homeowner did not want to leave due to personal and financial reasons. Today, this historic house remains a unique sight, sitting peacefully in the middle of a busy road.
4. The House Between Two Highway Lanes – Washington, USA
In Seattle, Washington, one of the most famous “stubborn” homes was that of Edith Macefield. In 2006, she refused to sell her house, even after developers offered $1 million to make way for a shopping complex.
What Happened?
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Instead of demolishing the house, the developers built the commercial buildings around it.
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Her tiny house became a symbol of resilience, much like the house in Pixar’s movie “Up”.
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After she passed away, the house was preserved as a monument of standing your ground.
Fun Fact: Edith’s story was so inspiring that construction workers attached balloons to her house, making it look like the house from “Up”!
5. The House in the Middle of a Street – Scotland
In Scotland, a historic 16th-century building sits directly in the middle of a narrow street. Unlike other cases, this house was never meant to be removed—it was built before modern roads existed! Instead of demolishing it, urban planners designed the street around it.
Drivers must navigate carefully around the house, making it one of the most unusual road obstacles in the world.
Why Do These Houses Remain Standing?
1. Owners Refusing to Move
Many homeowners feel deeply attached to their homes and refuse to relocate, even when offered large sums of money.
2. Unfair Compensation Offers
Governments and developers often offer low compensation, leading to disputes that prevent demolition.
3. Legal Protection
Some homes have historic value or legal protections, preventing them from being removed.
4. Engineering Challenges
Sometimes, removing a house could be more expensive or structurally complex than simply building around it.
From nail houses in China to the historic homes of Europe, these incredible houses prove that not all structures give way to progress. Whether due to stubborn homeowners, legal battles, or urban planning quirks, these homes have become symbols of resistance and history.
