Jackie Gleason was a titan of the stage and screen, a primary of comedic timing, and a comedic writer of stage plays and teleplays with nary an equal. He was the star of the famous TV sitcom, The Honeymooners. His distinctive comedic style influenced actors, writers, and comedians for decades- and still does to this day.
This is the front view of the large house with a lovely outdoor curved staircase leading to the house adorned with tall trees. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the spacious and airy foyer with a piano in the middle of the marble flooring surrounded by bright glass walls. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is a closer look at the piano in the middle of the round marble flooring surrounded by thin wooden pillars that support the gorgeous intricate wooden ceiling with exposed beams. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This gorgeous and spacious living room has comfortable woven wicker sofas that matches well with the hardwood flooring and ceiling with exposed beams. These are then warmed by a fireplace on the side of the glass walls. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the view from the other side of the living room featuring the large circular great room that has wide hardwood flooring and gorgeous ceiling with exposed wooden beams. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This living room is centered with a warm round fireplace in the middle of the circular room with comfortable cushioned wooden sofas. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the entry of the kitchen with a gorgeous curved wooden breakfast bar across from the stainless steel counter of the kitchen. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is a closer look at the kitchen with sleek stainless steel cabinetry and counter that houses the matching stinless steel appliances to contrast the surrounding wooden elements. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The warm stone fireplace gives an additional charm to this homey dining room with an intimate round wooden dining set in the middle of the hardwood flooring under a frosted glass ceiling. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This bedroom has a unique round platform bed that is built into the wooden wall surrounded by wooden cabinetry lining the walls and topped with a gorgeous wooden ceiling. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This curved wooden bar is paired with wooden stools and topped with a charming wooden ceiling that matches the hardwood flooring. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the view from the second floor landing of the house featuring the wooden curved staircase matching with the handles and ceiling that is fitted with frosted glass panels to filter the natural lights. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The second floor hall has a large central circular structure in the middle fitted with stained glass and built-in arm chairs for a unique spaceship-like look. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The game room has a large pool table in the middle of the hardwood flooring topped with a frosted glass ceiling supported by exposed wooden beams. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is a closer look at the spiral staircase with an entryway flanked by wooden columns and decorated with leaves to create a natural and homey aesthetic. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is one of the smaller houses in the compound with a unique UFO-like shape surrounded by tall trees and a natural landscape. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The property has a large pool surrounded by stone slab walkways and tall trees that provide shade and privacy as well as a nice background. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This aerial view of the house showcases its unique round UFO-like shape and the surrounding tall trees that bring privacy and isolation to the house. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
Gleason’s reign of laughter lasted through the 1950s and early 1960s. During that time, as has been the case since then, there have been numerous UFO sightings by pilots and civilians and even government authorities have claimed to know that strange craft do indeed navigate our skies. Gleason was one of many to become intrigued with the sightings and the breathless testimony of those who claimed to come into contact with these things.
Based on his UFO fascination, Gleason had a house built which is circular in shape and was inspired by stories that the comedian had heard about the design and proportions of craft that had purportedly been acquired by the US military.
The house itself was completed in 1950, having taken some years to complete. The main structure and the guest house encompass 7,450 square feet, and the main building was named “The Mother Ship” by Gleason. The house was sold relatively recently for $12 million after having been on the market for some time.
Just outside the home, there’s an in-ground swimming pool with some peculiar contours, but there’s nothing terribly unusual about it. The setting of the pool area is lovely with a rocky embankment climbing up toward the house. It almost feels like a hidden swimming hole one might find deep in a wooded area.
Stepping into “The Mother Ship,” however, is an altogether different experience. One might almost get the feeling of walking into the set of a Dr. Who episode.
The house is, indeed circular. The kitchen range and cabinets are curved along the outer edge of the house in a manner that is rare to totally unique when it comes to kitchen layouts.
On the second level, the primary living room is a circular area in and off to one side of the massive rotunda. At the apex of the house, the top floor, a cylindrical wood-burning stove stands in the center, and comfortable seating is arranged all around it. It’s a very sensible setup, actually. It is reminiscent in form to a Native American smoking hut.
Throughout the home, the ceiling beams radiate out from the central point like spokes on a wheel. If one were prone to drinking, the potential spinning sensation could easily become overwhelming in this place. It is a monument to eccentricity, and a surprise- to be sure- as the product of the mind of a comedian and not that of a science fiction writer.
Jon Dykstra owns an interior design company in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He's fascinated by architecture and interiors. He also enjoys gardening at his "house in the burbs" and "homesteading" at his off-the-grid boat-access cabin.
Combine all that with a love of writing and Homestratsophere.com was born. He balances his working time between running his interior design company, working on his off-the-grid cabin and publishing homestratosphere.com.
