Paragraph 1: A three-bedroom semi-detached house in Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland, has garnered attention for its unconventional, all-black interior and exterior design. Dubbed the “UK’s darkest home,” the property features black walls, a black front door, black fencing, black decking, and even a black shed in the back garden. Inside, the monochrome theme continues with black stairs, floors, ceilings, and walls. Even the kitchen appliances, including the refrigerator, and the bathroom fixtures maintain the dark aesthetic. The only deviations from the dominant black are dark purple accents found in the curtains, feature walls, and sofa cushions.
Paragraph 2: Listed for auction with a guide price of £195,000, the property in Broxburn offers potential buyers a unique living space. The listing highlights the “spacious living area,” “roomy kitchen,” and “additional storage” provided by a good-sized shed and a large garage. Situated in a highly sought-after location, the house is expected to appeal to both homeowners looking for an exceptional and distinctive property and shrewd investors seeking an easily lettable investment opportunity. The auction deadline creates a sense of urgency, encouraging interested parties to act quickly.
Paragraph 3: The Broxburn property’s all-black design, punctuated by dark purple accents, presents a striking contrast to another unusual home located in Jacksonville, Florida. This “spite house,” as it’s known, stands out not for its color scheme but for its unconventional dimensions. Built on a narrow strip of land by developer John Atkins, the house measures just 10 feet wide and 19 feet tall. Atkins constructed the house after refusing to sell the land to his neighbors, sparking a land dispute and ultimately resulting in this architectural anomaly.
Paragraph 4: The Florida “spite house” exemplifies the lengths to which some individuals will go to resolve property disputes. Atkins’s initial plans for a 15-foot-wide house were rejected by city officials, prompting him to submit an even slimmer design that ultimately met regulatory approval. The resulting structure, with its towering height and narrow width, stands as a testament to Atkins’s determination and a stark reminder of the sometimes-contentious nature of neighborly relations. The house directly overlooks the gardens of the neighboring properties, a constant visual reminder of the land dispute.
Paragraph 5: Despite its unusual dimensions, the Florida spite house has found a buyer. Mike Cavanagh purchased the property in June 2024 for £500,000. Cavanagh considers the house a “quirky but solid investment.” The 1,547-square-foot interior features clever built-in storage and custom furniture, including a pricey but, according to Cavanagh, worthwhile white oak sofa. While the towering house may not be popular with the neighbors, Cavanagh appreciates its unique character. This contrasting example highlights the diversity of unusual homes and the varying motivations behind their creation and purchase.
Paragraph 6: The two properties, one in Scotland and the other in Florida, highlight the diverse spectrum of unusual homes found around the world. The all-black house in Broxburn appeals to a specific aesthetic preference, offering a dramatic and unconventional living space. The Florida spite house, on the other hand, represents a unique architectural response to a neighborly dispute. Both properties demonstrate that unconventional homes can attract buyers for various reasons, whether it’s a desire for a distinctive aesthetic or a quirky investment opportunity. These unique dwellings spark conversations about personal taste, architectural innovation, and the sometimes-complex dynamics of property ownership and neighborly relations.
