ST. LOUIS — A rare Lustron house in St. Louis, known for its unique enamel-coated steel panels and mid-century charm, is undergoing a meticulous restoration to transform it into a period-accurate short-term rental.
A Lustron house is a type of prefabricated home constructed from enameled steel panels. These houses were manufactured by the Lustron Corporation in the United States between 1948 and 1950.
Designed as an affordable and low-maintenance housing solution for the post-World War II housing shortage, Lustron houses were notable for their durable, all-metal construction, which included walls, roofs, and even built-in cabinetry made of steel.
This restoration project on a three-bedroom 1950 model home is spearheaded by John Kennamann and his son Caleb Higgens. It aims to preserve the historical integrity of the property while making it accessible to visitors seeking a unique lodging experience on a short-term basis.
“It’s the highest and best use of the property because of where it is,” said Kennamann. “It’s kind of noisy here, so I don’t feel like it’s a good place for a family home, but I think it’s a great place for a short-term rental.”
Despite its location, Kennamann highlighted the house’s convenience for travelers. He explained that if you’re coming into town and you need to get out fast, there is freeway access to the interstate. The home’s location is also near shopping and attractions.
Kennamann and his son have a deep-rooted connection to the project. “We bought the property together,” he explained. “We’ve been like besties since we met. We do everything together.” Kennamann met his son when Higgins was 15 years old.
Kennamann, who has a background in the entertainment industry and a passion for restoration, brings a unique blend of creativity and technical skill to the project.
His son, who followed him to Los Angeles after high school, shares a similar background, having been exposed to blue-collar work and home renovation from a young age.
The restoration of the Lustron house has been an intensive process, involving the acquisition of parts from multiple states and other Lustron houses.
“When we got to this house, we didn’t have these cabinets. We didn’t have this built-in. It was gone,” Kennamann explained. The team relied heavily on online resources and a dedicated Lustron Facebook group to source original parts and gather information.
The project has involved restoring the house to its original 1950s condition, including replacing modern renovations with period-accurate fixtures.
“The bathroom had been remodeled, it was more modern. It isn’t any longer because we used all our parts to make it back to what it was in 1950,” Higgins said.
The house’s transformation is almost complete, with a focus on creating an immersive experience for guests.
Each room will be themed to reflect the lives of fictional 1950s residents. “This room here will be a 15-year-old girl’s room,” Kennamann said, describing plans to fill the space with period-appropriate decor.
The Lustron house will soon be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the team plans to offer tours to local groups and visitors interested in its history. “It’s an integral piece of the urban fabric of St. Louis and needs to be preserved,” Kennamann emphasized.
As the restoration nears completion, Kennamann and his son are excited to share the Lustron house with the public. “We’re going to have Wi-Fi, a modern washer-dryer, and HVAC,” he said. “But everything else will be like stepping back into 1950.”
Below is a slide show of renovation photos by Adam Boden:
