Eye-Popping ‘Steel House’ Made Entirely From Salvaged Metal Is Set To Go Under the Hammer in Historic Auction

An eye-popping Texas home that is made entirely from steel and boasts a unique spaceship design is set to go under the hammer at a historic auction.

The iconic Steel House, which is located in Ransom Canyon, TX, was the brainchild of the original owner, architect Robert Bruno. He built the 2,450-square-foot dwelling using 115 tons of salvaged steel.

Bruno began building the home located just outside of Lubbock in 1974 and spent more than 30 years designing the architectural marvel. He died in 2008.

The property was featured as the backdrop for a Vogue magazine fashion shoot and even made a cameo in a Solange Knowles music video, according to Texas Monthly. It is currently a popular rental on Airbnb.

The dramatic Vogue spread, titled “The Final Frontier,” featured models posed in, around, and even on top of the dramatic property in images shot by famed photographer Steven Klein.

Walls of steel

The quirky design seems virtually indestructible, with walls of welded steel.

“What is so unique about this home is that both the interior and exterior are virtually the same,” says listing agent Doug Duncan, of Keller Williams Realty Lubbock. “It’s the only home listed for sale where the outside is also on the inside. It’s a steel structure where you also have walls of steel inside. It’s incredible.”

Remodeled residence

Sadly, the home was left unfinished at the time of Bruno’s death. His daughter listed the property in 2021, selling it to investors Courtney and Blake Bartosh.

At the time, Bruno’s daughter claimed that she had sold the property for just $250,000, according to Texas Monthly. However, the real estate agent behind the company that purchased it disputed that figure.

Then, in a rather dramatic turn of events, the buyers quickly put it back on the market for $1.75 million.

“We purchased it with every intention of turning it into an Airbnb or VRBO,” Courtney told Realtor.com® at the time. “We have it listed while we get all of our affairs in order. We’re getting a cash-out refi to finish the house, because the inside of it is not done.

“If it sells for what we’re asking, great. If not, as soon as we get our refinancing done, we will take it off the market, and we will finish it.”

Unfinished interior

Ultimately, the couple decided to keep the home, embrace Bruno’s vision, and complete the interior, which is nothing short of amazing.

“Robert Bruno owned the land, built the structure, but never completed the interior,” says Duncan, who is co-listing the property with Courtney.

“The exterior design allows for a modern infrastructure. Bruno was certainly ahead of his time when he came up with the design. There is even a replica of the home on the Texas Tech campus.”

The Steel House has been entirely remodeled and now boasts three bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen with an eat-in bar, and a primary suite with a walk-out balcony.

The interior features arched walls, curvy windows, stained glass, and design elements in varying shapes and sizes.

Duncan says it took Bruno three decades to build his vision because all of the work was done by hand.

“He didn’t have construction crews of people working on the home,” Duncan says. “We actually have pictures of him hanging off the house doing the work.”

Beloved vacation rental

The property is now a short-term rental, allowing guests the chance to “spend the night inside a sculpture,” the Airbnb listing states.

It has been a successful rental property since summer 2023 and is “the highest-grossing rental income in Lubbock,” Duncan says.

It has received glowing reviews, with one guest calling it the “most unique Air B+B we’ve ever booked. So much fun exploring the house and the stained glass lit up by bedroom lights at night was gorgeous.”

“I had amazing stay at the Steel House,” another guest added. “It was a very unique experience.”

Up for auction

According to the listing, the residence will be sold at auction on Nov. 12. It is available for viewing through Nov. 2.

“I think it will close in the $1.4 million to $1.59 million range, and go to either an investor looking for a short-term rental property or someone just looking for a unique single-family residence,” Duncan says.

“The auction created a lot of immediate interest,” he adds. “We had an open house and 2,000 people showed up. It was incredible.”