Man Transforms Old Grain Silo into Stunning 2-Bedroom Home — Step Inside
Imagine waking up to the sound of rustling leaves, gazing at a crystal-clear night sky, and enjoying the kind of peace that only wide-open farmland can provide. That’s the experience awaiting visitors at the Owl’s Nest Silo House, a one-of-a-kind retreat tucked away in West Chase County, Kansas.
Surrounded by endless soybean fields and bordered by a winding creek, this unusual home began its life not as a cabin or farmhouse, but as a grain silo.
From Dream to Reality
The vision belonged to Gerald Wiens, who originally set out to build a traditional log cabin for weekend rentals. In 2019, he completed the Paw Print Cabin, expecting it would only see occasional guests.
“We thought maybe it would rent a couple of weekends each month,” Gerald recalled.
But when the pandemic hit, demand for getaways skyrocketed. Instead of sitting empty, the Paw Print Cabin welcomed visitors for more than 180 nights in a single year.
That success got Gerald thinking bigger.
A New Idea Takes Shape
Just a short distance from the cabin stood a well-preserved, unused silo. Instead of letting it fade into the landscape, Gerald saw potential. He sketched out floor plans, tinkered with small models, and wrestled with the challenge of building within a perfectly circular structure.
“It wasn’t simple,” he admitted. “We went through a lot of ideas before the final plan came together.”
After countless hours of work, the silo was reborn as a four-story, 45-foot-high home unlike anything else in the region.
Inside the Owl’s Nest Silo House
Step through the entryway, and you’re greeted by a cozy circular living room, designed to make guests feel immediately at home. Two leather chairs create the perfect corner for deep conversations or quiet reflection, while a flat-screen TV and a stone-framed gas fireplace add warmth and entertainment.
Hidden beneath the spiral staircase is a smartly designed half-bathroom, making the most of the unusual floorplan.
But the real charm lies in the climb. A spiraling staircase winds upward through the structure, leading to the fourth-floor master bedroom—an ascent of 45 steps that feels like part of the adventure.
A Labor of Love
The transformation wasn’t easy. Gerald admits the project took far longer than any “normal” build would.
“To say it’s been a labor of love is an understatement,” he said. “If you had to pay me for all the hours, I’m not sure anyone could afford it.”
For now, the log cabin is already listed on Airbnb under Vacation Rentals Chase County, and soon, the silo home will be too.
What started as an abandoned farm structure is now a luxurious rural escape—proof that with enough creativity, even the most ordinary buildings can become extraordinary homes.