Abbe Minor, a 24-year-old entrepreneur, has spent nine months and $140,000 converting a Mercedes Sprinter van into a luxury home on wheels. Inspired by Mediterranean architecture, the van features plaster walls, handmade tiles, and organic shapes.
The result is a space that screams luxury, with a price tag to match.Minor’s journey into van life began in college, where she and her boyfriend built out their first van and traveled around the country, checking off 46 states.
Throughout that adventure, Minor saw firsthand what some people are willing to pay for a campervan conversion. This experience sparked her idea to launch a business converting vans, which she has been doing for the past few years.For her most recent conversion, Minor wanted to challenge herself and the industry on what a van could look like. She tossed thoughts about money aside and focused on creating something that has never been done before.
The result is a van that is not only a luxury home on wheels but also a work of art.The van’s exterior is a bright yellow, which Minor says is a nod to her bright personality. The interior features plaster walls, handmade tiles, and organic shapes, giving it a unique and luxurious feel. The space is also equipped with a range of high-end features, including a motorized bed, a fully functional kitchen, and a bathroom with a shower.
Minor’s van is not just a smart business move – it’s an art piece. She has used a range of materials, including liquid fiberglass, Tadelakt, and Baltic birch wood, to create a space that is both functional and visually appealing. The van also features a range of hidden elements, including benches that convert into a second bed and a staircase that is home to secret storage.The conversion took about nine months to complete, with just enough time to bring it to San Diego’s TinyFest, an annual gathering for tiny homes and nomad living.
There, Minor’s van received an award for the best use of space.Minor’s van is listed on her website for $235,000, and she is continuing to tweak and enhance the van as she lives and travels in it. Reflecting on the build, Minor says her goal throughout was to create something uncommon and something that was a reflection of herself and who she is.”I wanted to learn new skills and create something that scared me,” she said. “At the core of all this is art.”Minor’s van is a testament to her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
It’s a space that is not only a luxury home on wheels but also a work of art that reflects her personality and style.
