Local authorities are capitalising on the appeal of Georgian public building features, such as period chimney cowls and fireplaces, in a bid to balance their asset books.
A range of councils are auctioning off historic buildings under their ownership, in the hope investors will be able to find a more modern function for them, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Speaking to the newspaper, Architectural Heritage Fund chief executive Ian Lush admitted that the sale is both a "threat and an opportunity", with many experts concerned about whether symbols of heritage - such as flue accessories - will be damaged or removed altogether during renovations.
Mr Lush noted: "It is a threat because the number of historic buildings which are being declared redundant by public sector owners - and this is not just local authorities, but also includes the Ministry of Defence, fire services, health trusts and so on - exceeds the number of community groups and commercial developers able to take them on."
Last month, in an interview with the US publication Glen Rock Gazette, Fireplace Systems for Lennox product manager Bill Wetzel explained that fireplaces can be a great focal point for any home, if integrated into property correctly.
This suggests there is still plenty of scope for utilising historic flue accessories in a modern home, although may require some commitment of funds to refurbish fireplaces and other components appropriately.