The Lustrat House is a two-story, hipped-roof brick dwelling with a four-over-four room, central hall plan. A one-story pedimented portico with square columns shelters a trabeated entrance with transom and sidelights on the facade. The rear elevation, which faces Jackson Street, has a portico with a divided staircase.

Built in 1847, the Lustrat House is one of several professor's houses built on campus during the nineteenth century. Originally located on the site of the Georgia Museum of Art, the building was relocated to its present location in 1903. Angered by the move Professor Charles Morris vacated the premises, and Professor Joseph Lustrat's family occupied the dwelling from 1904 until 1927. Before being converted into an office for the University's president, the building served as a house museum, displaying paintings, antique French crystal-and-bronze chandeliers, and the Belter furniture collection of Ilah Dunlap Little. The Lustrat House is one of two surviving professor's residences; the Garden Club of Georgia Museum occupies the other extant dwelling.