Imagine driving along the picturesque Highway 50 until you reach Elmdale and turn west. Within just 90 minutes, you find yourself surrounded by the authentic tranquility of Kansas.
Listen to the rustling of leaves, marvel at an unspoiled night sky, and experience a golden serenity.
Deep in the heart of West Chase County, surrounded by lush soybean fields and embraced by a gentle valley, sits a vacation rental inside a silo, known as the “Owl’s Nest Silo House.”
This is no ordinary house; it’s a carefully designed log cabin built in 2019 that you can call home for at least a weekend.
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Gerald Wiens, the man behind this retreat, originally envisioned building a log cabin for occasional weekend rentals.
“We decided to build a log cabin and rent it out for weekends, hopefully like Airbnb. We thought just a few weekends a month,” he said.
However, he had not anticipated the overwhelming demand during the pandemic year when the Paw Print Cabin was occupied for over 180 nights!
Near the cabin stood an old silo. It was in admirable condition and gave Gerald an idea.
With some creativity, sketches, models, and considerations of floor plans, he set out to convert the silo into a living space. However, the circular structure posed some challenges.
“That’s basically what happened. And then, you know, we looked at a lot of ideas. We drew little models. We had different floor plans,” Gerald said according to KSN.
The result? A four-story marvel that stands 45 feet tall.
Upon entering the silo accommodation, the entrance seamlessly flows into a unique circular living room, an intimate space designed for comfort and relaxation.
Two cozy leather chairs immediately catch the eye, perfectly placed to foster heartwarming conversations or solitary moments of reflection.
For those seeking entertainment, a modern flat-screen TV is strategically mounted above a magnificent gas-fired stone fireplace. Whether you fancy a movie night or just want to enjoy the gentle warmth of the flames with the background of your favorite show, this living space provides the perfect setting.
And not to forget the practicality: cleverly tucked under the winding staircase is a discreet guest bathroom. This space-saving design ensures that guests don’t have to go far for amenities even in the comfort of the living room.
Furthermore, the Owl’s Nest Silo House offers an exceptional journey to the pinnacle of comfort. To reach the splendor of the fourth floor with the main bedroom, you embark on a fascinating ascent over 45 steps that wind upwards.
The second floor offers a cozy bedroom for three. Here, Gerald has created a custom bunk bed with a double bed below and a single bed above.
In the meantime, he faced a challenge: fitting a bathroom on one floor with a bedroom below. The solution? The entire third floor is dedicated to this spacious bathroom, serving both bedrooms.
But what makes it particularly special is the generous shower that makes those in typical houses seem tiny. It’s pure luxury that allows guests to pamper themselves stylishly.
The highlight of this architectural masterpiece is the main bedroom, equipped with a ceiling height of 16 feet and a luxurious king-size bed.
Gerald has poured his heart, soul, and countless hours into this project. The silo has recently opened its doors to its first guests.
Curious about the prices? It costs $175 per night, with a minimum stay of two nights and an additional cleaning fee.
But be aware, as Gerald gently warns: If you’re looking for a Disneyland-like experience, this might not be for you. This is a destination for those who truly appreciate nature.
Gerald and his family did the entire construction themselves, with occasional assistance from their architecture student grandson.
For those interested, the log cabin is already listed on Airbnb under “Vacation Rentals Chase County,” and the silo accommodation will soon join its ranks.
“To say it was a labor of love, I mean, we spent so much time here. If you had to pay me for it, I’d hate to say how many hours it took because it’s not a typical build,” Gerald said.
See how amazing this silo accommodation is by watching the video below.