If you’ve ever been down to Galveston Island, chances are you’ve seen the Kettle House — a totally unique, all-metal structure that looks like a massive kettle. The so-called “Kettle House” has been a landmark of the island for years, and now you can stay the night at this newly restored, famous attraction.
For years, the iconic Kettle House sat abandoned on the island at 1410 Miramar Dr., a short walk from the beach. The inverted steel dome with a wood-shingle roof was originally meant to be a convenience store by the original owner, but that plan never came to fruition. Instead, it sat on a grassy lot for years, rusting out while always grabbing the attention and curiosity of passersby.
The Kettle House seemed destined to sit empty forever until local couple Michael and Ashley Cordray, owners of the home restoration and real estate company Save 1900 Realty and stars of the home makeover show “Restoring Galveston” (previously called “Big Texas Fix”), decided to purchase the home in 2017 and give it a total makeover.
The expert renovators gave the Kettle House a complete makeover, adding a massive wraparound deck, turning the interior into a two-bedroom space, and giving the home a Mid-Century modern look. The entire renovation was documented on an episode season one of their Restoring Galveston (at the time titled “Big Texas Fix”) show (airs on DIY Network, which you can watch live and on-demand with fuboTV [free 7-day trial]).
When the renovation was finished, the Cordrays decided to keep the property and turn it into a vacation rental rather than selling it. Their reason? The couple believes everyone should get the chance to stay in this Galveston Island landmark if they so desire.
“This home has foam insulation and 4 zoned mini split units for ultimate comfort. We have high speed Wi-Fi, 4k Smart TV, and includes all the comforts of home. Large deck great for catching rays and relaxing in the breeze,” a listing for the vacation rental reads.
The Kettle House is now available for booking on Airbnb. Rates vary depending on the time of year you book your stay, but the property averages a cost of $200 a night.