Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

A Lustron Steel Prefab in Pristine Condition

A Lustron Steel Prefab in Pristine Condition

Built in 1949, this steel prefab in Minneapolis is a blast from the past-not to mention a rare midcentury gem.

Between 1948 and 1950, the Lustron Corp. built prefabricated metal homes across the U.S. as part of an effort to combat the housing shortage for returning soldiers post–World War II. Despite these futuristic homes being considered low-maintenance and highly durable, only about 2,500 were constructed, as the structures were seen as too costly and complex to manufacture and assemble.

Nowadays, according to the Lustron Preservation Organization, there are only around 1,500 Lustron houses still standing, which makes the listing of this 1949 Lustron prefab even more special.



Sitting alongside five other Lustron homes on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, this rare prefab is cladded in sleek, "surf-blue" steel panels. A bright red door welcomes guests inside.

One of six Lustron houses along Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this iconic prefab is now seeking a new buyer after having been lovingly tended to for 26 years by its current owner. With the home listed at $350,000, our hunch is that it won't stay on the market for long.



The style of this specific Lustron is known as Westchester Deluxe. Featuring 1,153 square feet of living space, the 1949 midcentury still remains in its rare original condition.

The historic, 1,153-square-foot home has been exceptionally maintained throughout the years, and features two bedrooms, one bathroom, and extensive landscaping that extends the living spaces to the outdoors.



Fitted with eclectic midcentury furniture throughout, the home pays tribute to its historic past.

"It is a truly modern home and it still feels modern to me after living here all of these years," says the current owner. "My nieces used to like to play ‘Spaceship’ in the house-dramatically opening and closing the sliding metal doors as if they were starring in a science fiction film."



Vibrant red Masonite tiles line the floors in the dining and living areas, delightfully contrasting with the neutral color palette of the interior walls and ceilings.



In the kitchen, blue cabinets add another burst of color.

"Because Lustron houses are completely fabricated from steel, they are impervious to termites and also more resistant to fire," the owner adds. "They are solid steel homes built to withstand the elements and time."



Like other Lustron homes, the interior and exterior were built using porcelain-enameled steel panels (fun fact: the same kind used to make White Castle buildings), connected to a steel frame.



The home's interior cabinets, closets, and bathroom vanities are also made of metal.

"I feel that the legacy of my home is a promise for the future of sustainable prefab housing. The values of maximizing the efficiency in the use of space, the freedom of low-maintenance living and building with materials that will endure time and not end up in landfills are even more relevant in today’s world," says the owner. "The impact of climate change, with the increased frequency of natural disasters, demands that we find a better way to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable housing. Sadly, the Lustron Corp. was an idea too far ahead of its time-now, we need to catch up."



A light-filled corner nook offers an idyllic setting for reading and relaxation.



The durable, low-maintenance prefab also includes an office area, featuring plenty of storage.



A spacious concrete patio extends the living area to the outdoors.



With ample seating and an illuminated landscape, the backyard can facilitate easy entertaining.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
×