San Diego has no shortage of awe-inspiring views from the skyline at Centennial Park to the bluffs of Torrey Pines.
But one La Mesa home stands apart from the rest, as a testament to human ingenuity and a monument to architectural achievement.
After navigating the winding, narrow roads of Mt. Helix, folks encounter a structure unlike almost any other: a circular, spinning, window-covered house.
At full speed, the house can complete one rotation in about 45 minutes.
Featured on HGTV
Built in 2003, the “Famous Rotating Home” had been featured on HGTV and Architectural Digest during the last 20 years.
In the last three weeks however, the oscillating abode has made waves in the real estate market.
The house was listed after homeowner and original designer Al Johnstone and his wife, Janet, decided to move.
Back to Coronado
They’ll be making their way to the coast to his wife’s childhood home in Coronado, Johnstone said in a YouTube video.
And, they have no plans for any rotational renovations on the island.
From afar, the East County landmark resembles something you may see in Area 51, a remote area in Nevada that has a long history of UFO sitings.
But upon closer viewing, the marvels become more apparent.
With two stories, an expansive yard, 11 different fruit trees, and state-of-the-art technology, a future buyer will likely get a big bang – if not an amazing view – for their buck.
The asking price is $5.3 million, which includes four bedrooms and four-bathrooms, a two-car garage, and wrap-around deck with a panoramic view.
There is also ingenious plumbing and gas lines to make everything work.
YouTube story on home
YouTube star and Educator Tom Scott recently visited the house to give viewers an inside look after a tip from the son of Melvina Selfani, the real estate agent selling the home.
Scott, a British native, made the stop in La Mesa on his journey to visit “Amazing Places,” where he detailed the innovation and one-of-a-kind utility system.
Designed, patented, and implemented by Johnstone, the house implements a variation of a slip ring.
In layman’s terms, the sewer water, gray water, drinking water, and gas all run through a central stationary core.
The house rotates around the core and allows for the seamless flow of utilities.
