A couple spent 6 years renovating a 100-year-old Iowa school into a modern home that's now on sale for $1.7 million — take a look inside

Melissa WellsJan 13, 2024, 08:36 IST

Exterior shot of Iowa's "Prairie Castle."Friedrich Iowa Realty

A school from 1923 was transformed into a 27,000-square-foot home nicknamed the "Prairie Castle."
The home, which is on sale for $1.7 million, sits on 3 acres of land in the Iowa countryside.

A 100-year-old former school, renovated and dubbed Iowa's "Prairie Castle," has hit the market for $1.7 million.

59035 190th Street, which is sprawled over more than 3 acres northeast of Ames, is a "magnificent" property, according to the home's broker, Luke Jensen, who is also the son of owners Dean and Dianne Jensen.

"It's not replaceable — you can't go to another house and find exposed masonry walls or 16-foot floor-to-ceiling windows," he told Insider. "There's a lot of the features of the home that are one-of-a-kind."

Take a look inside this unique, all-brick luxury residence.

A former school that sits on 3.25 acres in rural Iowa has been transformed into a luxury home that's now on the market for $1.7 million.

Aerial view of the exterior of the property.Friedrich Iowa Realty

It's located in Milford, which is northeast of Ames and about 40 miles north of Des Moines.

Location of Milford, Iowa.Google Maps

Originally constructed as the Milford Township School in 1923, the structure was built locally and became a beloved location among residents.

Aerial view of the exterior of the property.Friedrich Iowa Realty

The last class to use the school was in 1991, after which the 3-story structure began to deteriorate before it was bought by Dean and Dianne Jensen in 2006.

Back view of the exterior of the property.Friedrich Iowa Realty

They spent the next six years exhaustively renovating all 27,000 square feet into "The Prairie Castle," as it is now known.

The foyer of the property.Friedrich Iowa Realty

"[Dean Jensen] saw value even in the disarray of the building and saw the potential of what the property could be," his son and property broker Luke Jensen told Insider.

Sun room.Friedrich Iowa Realty

"[Dean Jensen] saw value even in the disarray of the building and saw the potential of what the property could be," his son and property broker Luke Jensen told Insider.

The brick school turned luxury home stretches about 22,000 square feet.

Architectural details inside.Friedrich Iowa Realty

For his father, "This is the ultimate art project. Completing this is a masterpiece, and the ability to execute on that and turn a vision into a reality," Luke Jensen said.

Open-concept dining room.Friedrich Iowa Realty

For his father, "This is the ultimate art project. Completing this is a masterpiece, and the ability to execute on that and turn a vision into a reality," Luke Jensen said.

An open-concept main living area includes the living room, a full kitchen, and dining areas.

Open-concept main living area.Friedrich Iowa Realty

"This reimagined school is nimble and flexible in its ability to take on new and creative uses," according to the listing.

Kitchen.Friedrich Iowa Realty

In the main living space, floor-to-ceiling windows showcase views of the rural Iowa countryside.

Side view of full kitchen.Friedrich Iowa Realty

"Over the course of the year, you see great sunrises on the east of the house to great sunsets on the west," Luke Jensen said.

Balcony.Friedrich Iowa Realty

The home relies on geothermal heating and cooling, "and for as big of a property as it is, the utility costs are really, really manageable," he added.

Main living room.Friedrich Iowa Realty

There are four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and several other amenities.

Bedroom.Friedrich Iowa Realty

The residence features updated styles, such as this bright, tiled bathroom.

Bathroom.Friedrich Iowa Realty

There are also fun aspects, like this indoor Jacuzzi tub.

Indoor Jacuzzi tub.Friedrich Iowa Realty

The spacious rooms have wood floors reclaimed from the school — just one of the nods towards the building's original use.

Another bedroom.Friedrich Iowa Realty

"You've just got really unique and well-designed spaces that are great for hosting and entertaining people," Luke Jensen said, such as this refurbished ballroom.

Ballroom.Friedrich Iowa Realty

The residence has access to an elevator and a 5,800-square-foot workshop in what used to be the school's gymnasium.

Shop space.Friedrich Iowa Realty

The ideal next owner is either "somebody that's got a vision of how to use the space, or maybe a larger family that would appreciate all the space that it affords," Luke Jensen said.

Aerial side view of the exterior of the property.Friedrich Iowa Realty

The ideal next owner is either "somebody that's got a vision of how to use the space, or maybe a larger family that would appreciate all the space that it affords," Luke Jensen said.

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A couple spent 6 years renovating a 100-year-old Iowa school into a modern home that's now on sale for $1.7 million &mdash; take a look inside

A former school that sits on 3.25 acres in rural Iowa has been transformed into a luxury home that's now on the market for $1.7 million.

It's located in Milford, which is northeast of Ames and about 40 miles north of Des Moines.

Originally constructed as the Milford Township School in 1923, the structure was built locally and became a beloved location among residents.

The last class to use the school was in 1991, after which the 3-story structure began to deteriorate before it was bought by Dean and Dianne Jensen in 2006.

They spent the next six years exhaustively renovating all 27,000 square feet into "The Prairie Castle," as it is now known.

"[Dean Jensen] saw value even in the disarray of the building and saw the potential of what the property could be," his son and property broker Luke Jensen told Insider.

The brick school turned luxury home stretches about 22,000 square feet.

For his father, "This is the ultimate art project. Completing this is a masterpiece, and the ability to execute on that and turn a vision into a reality," Luke Jensen said.

An open-concept main living area includes the living room, a full kitchen, and dining areas.

"This reimagined school is nimble and flexible in its ability to take on new and creative uses," according to the listing.

In the main living space, floor-to-ceiling windows showcase views of the rural Iowa countryside.

"Over the course of the year, you see great sunrises on the east of the house to great sunsets on the west," Luke Jensen said.

The home relies on geothermal heating and cooling, "and for as big of a property as it is, the utility costs are really, really manageable," he added.

There are four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and several other amenities.

The residence features updated styles, such as this bright, tiled bathroom.

There are also fun aspects, like this indoor Jacuzzi tub.

The spacious rooms have wood floors reclaimed from the school — just one of the nods towards the building's original use.

"You've just got really unique and well-designed spaces that are great for hosting and entertaining people," Luke Jensen said, such as this refurbished ballroom.

The residence has access to an elevator and a 5,800-square-foot workshop in what used to be the school's gymnasium.

The ideal next owner is either "somebody that's got a vision of how to use the space, or maybe a larger family that would appreciate all the space that it affords," Luke Jensen said.

A couple spent 6 years renovating a 100-year-old Iowa school into a modern home that's now on sale for $1.7 million — take a look inside