There is no way to convert a gas fireplace to burn wood, unless you are very lucky and the gas fireplace is an insert in a properly functioning solid fuel fireplace (in which case you basically just remove the insert, and have the fireplace inspected).
In situations like this, you have a couple options.
Install a Solid Fuel Stove
This option will require the least amount of work, though can still be quite expensive and time consuming.
You'll have to follow all local codes that deal with this type of project, but for this example we'll use National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards (NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances).
Clearances
You'll need 36" clearance from combustible materials on all sides (top, left, right, front, and back).
Floor protection
You'll need a floor protector under the unit, that extends 18" in all directions (except up/down, that would just be silly).
Listed Stoves
The floor protection requirements will be provided by the manufacturer, for listed stoves.
Unlisted Stoves
For unlisted stoves, the floor protection requirements are determined by the length of the legs on the unit.
0" - 2"
Stove must be placed on non-combustible floor.
2" - 6"
4" hollow masonry laid to provide air circulation through the layer, covered with 24-gauge sheet metal.
6" and Greater
Closely spaced masonry not less than 2", covered with 24-gauge sheet metal.
Reducing clearances
There are ways to reduce the clearances, by installing special materials around the stove. Check your local codes for methods to reduce clearances.
Stovepipe
You'll need 18" clearance around the stove pipe, as well as a stovepipe thimble where the stovepipe passes through walls/ceilings.
Chimney
If you don't have a proper masonry chimney to attach the stovepipe to, you'll have to use a factory built metal (A.K.A. prefabricated, Class A, all-fuel) chimney. You likely won't be able to use the same pipe used by the old gas fireplace. You also don't want to connect the stovepipe to the chimney used by your other gas appliances (furnace, water heater, etc.).
Build a masonry fireplace
If you've got the cash and time, you could have a proper masonry chimney/fireplace built (or build it yourself). This option will require modifications to the building structure, lots of masonry skills, a healthy bank account, and a good bit of time.
I would really suggest that you should hire a local expert to come out to your place to give you advice on the chimney condition, design and safety. I am quite sure that there was good reason to cap off and close up the chimney and fireplace in the past and it is highly unlikely that you will come to an understanding of the reasons without some seasoned advice.
Some things to consider:
There was a time when many chimneys were built by laying in the bricks with damp sand that was mixed with lime and horse hair instead of regular cement bearing mortar. Aging by wind and rain could wash out this material in the upper part above the roof line leaving the bricks with open spaces from inside to outside.
Many old chimneys were built simply as a stack of bricks without any specialized flue liner at all. A good quality modern chimney would have a decent flue liner that was mortared in with a high temperature silica material that does not degrade with heat.
It is an art to design and build a chimney installation that will function well with a fire place. It is really impossible for anyone to evaluate your installation without being there first hand to attest to the the quality and design.
Advice on whether to use some type of natural gas fireplace insert with using the existing chimney as a holder for a vent stack will depend on several factors that cannot be ascertained without direct evaluation. Structural safety of the chimney would be one issue that I can think of. Another would be whether the chimney opening can accept the insertion of a vent stack of sufficient size (diameter). Yet another is the uncertainty of maintaining the joint integrity of the vent stack as it is assembled piece by piece, up to 40 feet total, and lowered down into the chimney from above.
Best Answer
That is a wood burning fireplace with a gas starter. The intent is to use the gas starter to get your log fire burning. You can then shut down the gas starter jet.
Since it's a foreclosure the flue may not have been maintained properly. It would be a good idea to have a professional come in to inspect the chimney liner to ensure it is in good condition and doesn't have soot buildup.
Wood burning fireplaces require chimney cleaning every year or two, depending on use, to prevent flue fires.