Rare Steel Lustron Home in North Dallas May Become Historic Landmark

The 77-year-old metal home is one of only three remaining in Texas.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:54pm

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A high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a grid of brightly colored, neon-hued steel panels, conceptually representing the unique construction of a Lustron Home from the mid-20th century.The iconic steel panels of a rare Lustron Home, transformed into a bold, colorful pop art tribute to this innovative post-war architectural design.Dallas Today

A rare Lustron Home, an all-steel prefab house built in 1949 after World War II, is being considered for historic landmark status in the Briarwood neighborhood of North Dallas. The home is one of only three remaining Lustron Homes in Texas and survived a fire last year with minimal damage due to its indestructible steel construction. Preservationists are now working to restore the home and protect it as a historic landmark.

Why it matters

Lustron Homes were an innovative post-war housing solution, but the company only produced around 2,000 of the prefab metal homes nationwide before going out of business. The home in North Dallas is a rare surviving example of this unique architectural style and a testament to the ingenuity of the Lustron company's vision for the 'home of the future'.

The details

The two-bedroom Lustron Home in North Dallas was shipped in kits after WWII as part of an effort to address the nationwide housing shortage. The home is almost entirely made of steel, including the exterior panels, interior walls, and even the kitchen appliances. A fire last year caused minimal damage to the home due to its indestructible metal construction. Preservationists are now working to restore the home and gain historic landmark status for the property, which would protect it from future demolition.

  • The Lustron Home was built in 1949.
  • A fire damaged the home about 10 months ago.
  • Repairs to the home are expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

The players

David Preziosi

The City of Dallas Landmark Commissioner for District 13, who is pushing for the Lustron Home to become a historic city landmark.

Colleen Kolar

A resident of the Briarwood neighborhood where the Lustron Home is located, who is looking forward to the home's restoration and historic designation.

Lustron Homes

The company that produced around 2,000 prefab all-steel homes nationwide after World War II, including the one in North Dallas.

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What they’re saying

“Excited to see the house is going to be restored and eventually become a City of Dallas landmark, it's incredibly unique for Dallas.”

— David Preziosi, City of Dallas Landmark Commissioner, District 13

“I think it could be a cool addition to the neighborhood with a historical marker here. I'm looking forward to the fire damage being repaired from about 10 months ago.”

— Colleen Kolar, Neighborhood Resident

What’s next

A final decision on whether the Lustron Home will receive historic landmark status is expected by the end of the summer, after the restoration work is completed.

The takeaway

The preservation of this rare Lustron Home in North Dallas represents an opportunity to protect an important piece of post-war architectural history and innovation. Its unique all-steel construction has allowed it to withstand the test of time, and designating it as a historic landmark would ensure this 'home of the future' remains a part of the city's past.