This unique home, often referred to as the Roebuck Castle, was constructed in the 1970s on a large corner lot in the Roebuck Springs-South Roebuck neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama. The five-bedroom, three-bath house was built for the Khalaf family, who owned Salem’s Pharmacy in the East Lake neighborhood. Elias Salem Khalaf, a pharmacist, married his wife Diana who immigrated from Palestine to the United States in 1961. They worked together in their family-owned pharmacy until Elias unexpectedly passed away in 1989.
Despite immense hardship, she persevered and continued to run the pharmacy to serve the local community until she sold it in 1996. Diana became a realtor and sold their family home in Roebuck in the 1990s, and it has went through several more owners since. However, no one has lived at 416 Lance Way in at least a decade, perhaps longer. The once spectacular home that included a fountain in the entryway, an in-law suite in the basement, and a large in-ground pool had fallen into severe disrepair.
In May 2021, the Roebuck Castle was purchased by Paul Mielke of Monroe Park Properties and star of the A&E television show “Flipping Down South”, who planned a full renovation that was expected to take four months and begin in July 2022. After renovations began and the project going overbudget, Mielke decided to put the unfinished home back on the market. It has had several owners since, and in July 2023, neighbors complained to the news media about its current condition with overgrown weeds and debris scattered throughout the yard after calls to local code enforcement went unanswered. The property last sold in August 2024 for $127,000.
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Will there be updates as project continues..or maybe just when completed?
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I am going to go back once it is finished and shoot the renovation.
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Great! Will look forward to that!
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That’s going to cost a packet to renovate!
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Honestly, I’m surprised someone would invest what is sure to be a staggering sum into the renovation of this house. I’m a huge fan of 20th century architecture across many styles and genres, and certainly appreciate the purists who take the extra effort to honor an original design, but this home frankly seems more kitsch than architecturally significant. Given the integral construction materials/methods and extensive decay, my hat’s off to the new owners because I’m afraid I’d have to start fresh with this site.
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Have you had a chance to check in on this beauty? From the looks of this article, looks like a lot of it isn’t going to survive the “reno.” I’m so thankful for your work documenting spaces before they’re gone or ruined forever. https://bhamnow.com/2022/08/05/demolition-on-the-roebuck-castle-renovation-has-begun-photos-video/
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I watch the progress through Paul’s Instagram. He was working to save the fireplace, the entryway fountain, and the wall of ivy by the entrance, but other than that it looks like they had to completely gut it out. The last I saw it was framed in with a partial roof so they are moving quickly. When it is done, I will go back to check it out.
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I can’t wait to see your pics when you return.
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I just came across this, and it looks like it’s going to take quite the money and effort to bring this baby back. I’m surprised a house such as this from the 70s looks in such bad shape. I’ve seen hundred-year-old large, abandoned homes in much better shape than this one. Hats off to whoever took on the project to save it.
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Check out @housesbypaul on Instagram to see the progress. It is going to be his personal residence.
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I saw that it’s back up for sale, do you know why? And what will happen to it now?
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From 2022:
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from 2023:
https://www.wbrc.com/2023/07/15/birmingham-residents-frustrated-over-dilapidated-roebuck-castle-property/
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I have a feeling, from the 2023 article, that there’s no progress on the renov project/s. 😦
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oops….typed too soon: https://www.abandonedalabama.com/roebuck-castle/ up for sale, after being put under roof. Have an extra $210.000 for a shell and lots of opportunity for customization? I absolutely love the exterior of the place, the bricking and exposure. The landscaping? Not so much….
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