1. The Nail House of Chongqing, China

Chongqing-Nail House-Wu Ping-Holdout-ChinaPhoto from Wikimedia Commons by Zhou Shuguang 

Though “nail houses” are a common sight in China, the story of Wu Ping and her home in Chongqing, China has likely experienced the most media sensation to date. In 2004, Wu Ping was the only one of her neighbors to hold out against the encroaching shopping development, who proceeded to dig around her home and restaurant. While the developers said she was demanding more money, she maintained that she simply wanted to be relocated in a property of the same size out of respect for her legal property rights. In 2007, she was awarded one million yuan, given a new apartment, and the nail house was no more.

Next, read about more holdout houses in New York City. Get in touch with the author @untappedmich. Part of this article also written by Nasha Virata.