Donaldson Futuro in Idyllwild, CA

This home in Idyllwild, CA known as the Donaldson Futuro, built in 1969 needs no introduction. But itdoes weight approx 11,900 pounds (I never thought about how much a home could weigh) and was constructed of reinfirced fiberglass-polyster plastic. Currently listed for only $1,495,000

Property Description

THE DONALDSON FUTURO | A RARE PIECE OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY. Nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild, California, the Donaldson Futuro is an extraordinary example of 20th-century visionary architecture and one of the rarest residential structures in America. Designed as a portable, prefabricated dwelling, the Futuro was conceived as a futuristic home that could be transported to virtually any destination–famously even by helicopter. Its unmistakable elliptical form, sculptural profile, & Space Age aesthetic have made the Futuro an internationally recognized icon of experimental architecture. Measuring approximately 26 feet 4 inches in diameter and 13 feet 2 inches high, this remarkable structure encompasses approximately 793/sq ft & weighs approx 11,900 pounds. Constructed of reinforced fiberglass-polyester plastic, the Futuro represents a bold intersection of design, engineering, technology, & popular culture at the dawn of the Space Age. The innovative design was intended to challenge conventional ideas about what a home could be, creating a portable, self-contained environment that remains visually & architecturally captivating more than five decades later. The Futuro has been extensively restored inside & out and is in excellent condition, retaining the integrity of its original 1969 design, workmanship, materials, setting, feeling, & association. Its preservation is particularly significant because so few original Futuros survive, making this property an exceptionally rare opportunity for collectors, preservationists, architects, designers, & those drawn to truly one-of-a-kind places. LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES & is formally recognized as the DONALDSON FUTURO by the National Park Service & the State of California, honoring the owners for their extraordinary restoration & preservation efforts. Their dedication helped save this fragile and culturally significant resource while raising awareness of the surviving family of Futuro homes around the world. The Donaldson Futuro stands as an important example of the preservation of experimental architecture & the remarkable design optimism of the late 1960s. More than a residence, this is a preserved artifact of architectural innovation & American design history. Set within the natural beauty of the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild, the property offers a rare convergence of art, architecture, history, and place. Few opportunities exist to own one. Now is your chance!!

Photos: @imagestate.homes

Currently listed by Timothy McTavish, Desert Sotheby’s International Realty – 760-619-4765, [email protected], @team.mctavish.realestate