Besties Turn a Crumbling Building into Their Dream Mansion You’ll Love the Before & After
They’ve just redefined what it means to be “friendship goals.”
Have you paused lately to picture your retirement dream? Where would you plant roots for the rest of your days?
Even with borders and cultures separating us, the universal desire is the same we all crave a joyful, fulfilling life.
And let’s be honest: the company you keep can shape that joy more than anything else.
One remarkable group of friends took a page straight out of The Golden Girls playbook and now, they’re thriving in the life they built together.
Seven lifelong friends had one shared dream to live under the same roof. So, they crafted a brilliant plan to turn that vision into reality.
If you’ve ever adored the dynamic in the iconic show Friends, this real-life tale might spark a serious case of bestie-home envy. But instead of lounging in a quirky city flat, these friends took a grander route they bought a crumbling, forgotten structure and turned it into a full-blown mansion.
The story began two decades ago at their workplace, where seven strangers forged an extraordinary friendship. Through shared milestones, countless laughs, and life’s inevitable tears, they once tossed around the idea half in jest that maybe one day, they’d all retire under one roof.
What began as a lighthearted joke became a breathtaking reality when the friends stumbled upon an abandoned building nestled on the land of their dreams.
At first glance, the place looked straight out of a ghost story abandoned, eerie, and seemingly forgotten by time. But these women saw potential where others saw decay. With fearless resolve, they pooled their resources, bought the derelict property, and rolled up their sleeves to begin a transformation. Locals in Guangzhou had dismissed the building as nothing more than an eyesore, which allowed the group to snag it for a bargain.
Their story began two decades ago, inside a shared workplace, where seven kindred spirits crossed paths. Through laughter, heartache, and everything in between, their bond only deepened. Over the years, they’d often toss around the idea half joking, half dreaming that one day, they’d all retire together
All in all, the grand makeover came with a price tag of $580,000 USD meaning each friend pitched in just $82,000 to claim their slice of this stunning villa paradise..
Let’s take a look inside and see what it looks like now.
The home is a harmonious blend of elegance and intention, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interiors with natural light. Expansive shared spaces invite connection, while a serene tea pavilion offers a moment of calm. The crown jewel? A grand dining hall where every evening meal becomes a shared celebration.
Each friend enjoys the privacy of their own bedroom sanctuary, yet their dreams remain beautifully intertwined. With a spirit of lifelong learning, each woman has chosen a personal pursuit one dives into the culinary arts, another delves into the world of herbal medicine, and so on creating a self-sustaining circle of creativity and care.
At the moment, the women are still in their late 30s, fully immersed in the whirlwind of family life and raising children. With that chapter still unfolding, they’ve decided the move-in date will wait perhaps another 15 to 20 years down the line when the time feels just right to begin their next adventure together.
In the meantime, the villa is set to become their go-to haven for weekend escapes and unforgettable celebrations.
“We’re each fiercely independent, yet deeply connected we know how to communicate and lean on one another when it matters,” shared Jin Du in an interview with Yitiao. “In ten years, our children will be grown, carving their own paths. That’s when we hope to reunite and live this dream together again, under one roof.”
Spanning an impressive 7,535 square feet, the mansion rests in a serene, storybook village peacefully tucked just beyond the city’s reach, yet close enough to feel connected.
The home features a sprawling open-concept kitchen ideal for communal feasts and yes, a sparkling swimming pool to match. This three-story retreat offers sweeping views of tranquil rice paddies and verdant landscapes, creating a dreamlike backdrop for the ultimate retirement sanctuary.
“We’ll cook together, grill under the open sky, sing carefree songs, and gather fresh food straight from the village,” they shared with joyful anticipation.
These women have undoubtedly elevated the meaning of ‘friendship goals’ to an entirely new tier. With remarkable foresight and shared vision, they’ve secured not just a home, but a future Take a full tour of their beautiful mansion in the video below!
free from the uncertainty of where they’ll settle once silver strands begin to show.
What do you think about their retirement plan?
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