Inside the famous Bruno’s Steel House just before auction time. Staff photo.
Lynna Bartosh is the new owner of the famous Bruno Steel House in Ransom Canyon – keeping it in the family – LubbockLights.com has learned.
Back in November, we covered the house’s auction. The asking price was $1.5 million, but the winning bid was $775,000. However, sellers Blake and Courtney Bartosh and the bidder both had the right to back out before the closing date.
Bartosh said she didn’t know about the auction before it happened.
“When my mom told me that it was being auctioned after-the-fact in December, I thought, ‘Oh, they were just auctioning it off for a weekend, right? – like to benefit something during that time of year,’” Bartosh said.
When she learned the house itself was up for sale, she took action.
“I called my brother. … I told him, ‘I think this is a legacy for our family and I think it should stay in our family.’ So, I offered to purchase it,” Bartosh said.
She bypassed the auction, purchasing it directly from her brother, she said. The purchase price was not disclosed. Technically, the home is owned by Eighty-Five Legacy LLC and Lynna Bartosh is the managing member of the company.
Plans for the future
The house has been an Airbnb for a few years.
“I purchased the house and closed on the 29th of December. So, I’ve been operating the Airbnb and kind of taking it over slowly,” Bartosh said.
“I live in the house part time whenever it’s not being hosted. So, I’m traveling to and from Ransom Canyon, probably two to three times a month to stay there for a few days to a week at a time. And I love the home. I intend to keep it forever,” she said.
Bartosh owns an advertising and creative agency in Austin. When she retires, her plan is to live in the house.
“I really look forward to being there, really, until I’m not around on this earth anymore,” Bartosh said.
Her brother, Blake, is listed as a cohost on the Airbnb website and that’s a temporary situation, his sister said.
“But right now he helps me in case I have any issues or need help understanding the platform or anything going on,” she said.
In love with the house
The house, built by artist Robert Bruno, was featured over the years by Texas Monthly, the New York Post, Inside Edition and many others.
Bruno died in 2008. His daughter Christina sold the home in 2021 to Bruno Steel House LLC. Courtney and Blake renovated the place into an Airbnb – adding a kitchen, air conditioning, stained-glass windows, electric and plumbing, insulation and other features.
“Bruno’s approach to building the home was kind of rebellious in a way and I just really admire what he did over time – that he never stopped working on it,” Bartosh said. “I think a lot of it was in his head. And I’ve heard stories from neighbors and friends of how he would take whole pieces down and reshape and retool. And it was just his passion and his love to do sculpture, and I very much am the same way.”
“We love the community and love the area. I have two children as well. … I am now calling Ransom Canyon my home,” Bartosh said.
LubbockLights.com reached out to Assiter Auctions to offer a chance to comment. We did not hear back before publication.
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