Britain's Most
valuable Buildings
We’re a nation obsessed with property – from endlessly scrolling fantasy homes on listings sites to marvelling at million-pound mansions on telly. But this year’s most eye-catching property listing doesn’t come with a landscaped garden, spa-style hot tub or temperature-controlled wine cellar. In fact, you can’t live in it at all.
Britain’s most valuable buildings are its community centres.
In this campaign, we’ll list them on the market with a symbolic £500 million price tag – making them, quite literally, the most valuable properties in the country for a short time.
Britain’s most valuable buildings revealed… and they’re not what you think
Our new research shows just how deeply people value shared spaces...
49%
Nearly half (49%) of people see centres, libraries and youth clubs as among the UK’s most valuable buildings
4,000+
The symbolic protest price reflects the urgent need for investment as funding for community services has fallen 18% since 2022, with more than 4,000 shared spaces lost every year
41%
41% express concerns for future generations if these places disappear altogether
From creating more joyful paces through the power of colour, to supporting community regeneration with uplifting murals and paint projects, we’re helping communities to grow and thrive. This campaign builds on our Project Possible commitments, showing how we can play a meaningful part in the places that matter most.
Amanda Bolton
Marketing Director for Crown Paints
Community spaces important for our mental wellbeing. They provide accessible, welcoming places to connect with others and, help reduce loneliness, which can have a negative impact on mental health.
Crown’s research shows the public feel their loss deeply, with many worried about the impact on future generations. Protecting these spaces must be part of the national conversation on mental health.
Andrew Berrie
Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind
St Leonard’s has always been more than a building – it’s the place our community turns to when they need connection or support. Listing it as one of Britain’s Most Valuable Buildings is a reminder that the services we provide are priceless to the people who rely on them.
Debbie Shelley
St Leonards Community Centre Manager
How we can support...
Community Paint Donations
Request a paint donation for your community project.
Every year at Crown we donate thousands of litres of upcycled paint to community and charity projects across the country.
Send an email to our Project Possible inbox to find out more
How it all started…
What happens when the places between work, school, and home start to disappear?
Crown Paints discovered community spaces across the UK were quietly vanishing, so we decided to do more than watch. In Dudley, the neglected Brockmoor Community Centre became our canvas.
Employees, neighbours, and designer Banjo Beale came together, painting, redesigning, and bringing the space back to life. Captured in a short film and backed by a national petition, the campaign reached millions, supported over 50 other centres, and marked a turning point with Dudley Council reinstating £240,000 in funding.
The Space Between showed that when people unite, even the simplest acts—like picking up a paintbrush—can create lasting impact.
