Would this be too weird of an idea to work?

[EverySingleStar]

Would anyone read this or does it just sound odd and like you couldn't identify with characters, etc?

I know most good fiction is character-based but just kicking ideas around.

A novel told in third-person but centrally focused around a building (any building, house, office, school, tube station) giving glimpses or accounts of the various people that have occupied it?

It wouldn't follow anyone around outside the building so kind of a 'from the building's perspective' but not told in first-person so not "I watched from my magnolia left-bedroom wall as they settled in for a shag" type thing.

Thoughts?

You could try reading Hotel World (is that what it's called?) by Ali Smith - it does a similar thing.

I prefer to get to know a few characters really well, personally.

I read something similar about the Underground ....I can't for the life of me remember what its called.

I think it could work as long as its not too contrived, and if you don't miss the story because people keep leaving the room

Tales from the tube or something isnt it?

You'd still need a plot, I think.

Could be ledodgy

I think the book was 253 purpleduck? An account of each passenger on each carriage as I remember...

Also, worth having a look at Georges Perec's "The Species of Spaces", a really interesting take on a building, might give you some inspiration.

I think you have a good idea there

Oh yeah I read 253, or parts of it anyway. It wouldn't be over the course of one day though, more like a passage of time type thing...

Who am I kidding, can't get past chapter 2 on anything normally but just wanted to see

Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions, I will definitely check those out tether and jane!