London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 31, 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

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×