For an apartment, it would be cheaper and easier to tear it down and build a new structure meant to look like a shed.

For a shop and/or storage, the cargo container idea seems good to me.

JM$.02W

I love converted structures, but really, you don’t save much money, if any, by doing a conversion versus a new build. It still has to meet local government standards for habitability. That’s not to say I wouldn’t do it, because I absolutely would...Love the charm of it.

I’ve been looking for the right old old barn to convert to a cabin for years. Anyway....what about a ”she-shed?” It could be a hangout place, dining room, gardening shed...the sky’s the limit. If you aren’t creating an insulated residence with a bathroom and kitchen, it will be much cheaper. Google she-sheds.

Basic storage In a cargo container seems like such a waste of an opportunity to create something cool. This is an inspiration photo I had to convert a greenhouse. Same concept as a she-shed.

One more thing- I priced out a 2bed/2bath barn home Kit in mountain area Californa, and it was going to cost about $200k for the project, including grading, etc., but excluding land. To give you an idea on cost. Depending on where you are, 50-100k for an apartment, I would guess.

It's not really a charming structure worth spending the money to save. There may not be a sufficient foundation to support a complete building. I'd either go with the storage idea or remove it all together.

Does it have electricity? I have seen barns like yours refurbished and rented out as event spaces...a party barn????

It doesn’t have electricity currently but I believe it did at some point. Our property was a game reserve and a farm that was sold to a developer who then divided up the land. Right beside the barn is an old work truck (80-90s era) and a ton of random car parts. I just love the look of it and wish I could turn it into something rather than tear it down or just put a shipping container inside.

It could be really spectacular

Knowledge is power...gather pricing info

if you do tear it down, you can always reuse the wood and metal into your home or new structure 👌

I wouldn't sink a lot into it expecting AirB&B to offset the costs. Lots of speculators bought 2nd homes thinking rentals via Air B&B would pay for them. Covid-19 brought a lot of those places to their knees. Leave it as is except for making sure it isn't a hazard and doesn't leak. How much acreage comes with your place? With the surrounding places? People with enough land to produce a hay crop might be interested in storing hay in it. If you have the land for it you could go into the hay business yourself. Might be more profitable than Air B&B. BTW. I'm a vacation rental property manager, so I do know whereof I speak. People need a reason to vacation in your area, and I'm guessing the game that was there formerly might have been an attraction but not anymore.