Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

'Alt-Lifestyle' Igloo for Rent (Briefly) on Airbnb After Blizzard

By Gwynne Hogan | January 25, 2016 9:24am
 Greenpoint residents tried to rent out an igloo they'd made in their backyard on Airbnb following Blizzard Jonas. 
Greenpoint Igloo
View Full Caption

GREENPOINT — For a mere $200 this igloo could have been yours for a night, if only Airbnb hadn't spoiled your fun.

An igloo built in an India Street backyard went up for rent on Airbnb Sunday, following the historic Blizzard Jonas that dumped about 26 inches of snow on the city.

"Dripping with ingenuity and alt-lifestyle aura lays this snowpocalypse's most desirable getaway," the post read. "Built completely by hand all natural. Come experience this chic dome-style bungalow with Bae."

The posting went viral briefly on Sunday spreading across Facebook and Reddit before Airbnb deleted it in the evening.

The rentable igloo was a joke carried out by Greenpoint resident Patrick Horton, 28, and his roommates. They'd been waiting for the first big storm to build an igloo and decided they'd put it on Airbnb as a prank, Horton said. 

The day of the blizzard, Horton and his roomies made a huge pile of snow in one corner of their yard. They spent three hours Sunday hollowing it out, snapped some pictures and uploaded them to the site soon after.

"There's actually a section on there where you can check igloo," said Horton. He was ecstatic. "'Wow, this might actually work."

The joy, alas, was short-lived. He got an email around 7 p.m. from Airbnb telling him the post had been deleted.

"We are happy to see that you guys are staying busy and having fun during Blizpocalypse," a Airbnb rep named Dustin wrote Horton. "Unfortunately, your igloo, while very well constructed, has failed to meet our occupancy standards and has been removed from search results."

"Be sure to pick a place with running water, electricity, and a roof that doesn't melt."

The explanation confused Dustin, seeing as all igloos listed on Airbnb, of which there are many, have roofs that melt and many don't have water or electricity.

Airbnb couldn't be reached for immediate comment.