Optical Illusion for Sale: ‘Invisible’ Joshua Tree Home Catches Eyes for $18M
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Mirror, mirror, on the wall—who’s the fairest of them all? A breathtaking visual illusion in the desert, of course!
Just outside of Palm Springs in Joshua Tree, CA, lies one of the most spectacular desert homes ever built. But you have to look closely, or you just might miss it.
That’s because this massive beauty creates the optical illusion of blending seamlessly into the landscape, thanks to its mirrored facade.
Known as the Invisible House, the 5,470-square-foot stunner sits on a massive 67.5-acre lot, surrounded by a natural landscape. The only thing you can see for miles through the reflective glass is the breathtaking scenery.
The mirrored home first attracted interest in 2020, when high-profile celebs snapped their stays at the pricey, short-term rental and shared them on social media. And now, the sleek space is up for grabs for $18 million.
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‘More art than house’
“The house is really a work of art, and we think the house is actually more art than house,” says Aaron Kirman, who is co-listing the property with Matt Adamo, both of AKGRE. “What was most important to the sellers was to blend the architecture with the surroundings, and they did an incredible job bringing the outside in and the inside out.”
As for the locale, it’s hard to imagine a more ideal landscape. And Kirman says plenty of buyers agree: The market in Joshua Tree has been “on fire” over the past few years.
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The eye-popping design was created by the homeowner and Hollywood film producer, Chris Hanley, and his wife, Roberta, along with Frank Gehry collaborator Tomas Osinski.
“Their vision was to create something completely out of this world,” Adamo says. “The sellers acquired the property in 2006. … The whole process was about nine years in the making. The location in Joshua Tree is second to none. The direct neighbor is a natural reserve, so it is hard to quantify the property, as the lot just seems to go on and on.”
The home was completed in 2019.
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One jaw-dropping detail is the indoor, 100-foot-long, solar-heated swimming pool, which runs along the west wall. It also features radiant, ambient lighting that illuminates the landscape.
“Can you imagine swimming in that indoor pool?” Kirman asks. “The sellers were really such visionaries when they created this house, building one of the most iconic homes in the country.”
The minimalist-style home embodies elements designed to appeal to a visual artist.
“One of the nicest areas on the far side of the pool is a large 224-square-foot white wall, intended to screen movies,” Adamo says.
The space could also be used to project photographs.
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The showpiece of the primary suite is a custom-designed, glass bed frame that gives the mattress a floating appearance.
“This is their pride and joy,” Adamo says. “The owners love this 2,500-pound glass bed. It’s a pretty amazing experience to be in a glass bed, where you can see both the sunrise and sunset.”
Another bedroom boasts a mattress that sits prominently atop an awe-inspiring marble platform. The bedrooms all have sliding doors that open to sweeping views of the desert.
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And the spacious home is extremely energy-efficient.
“Most of the house can be powered by the solar panels,” Adamo says. “The glass itself is also extremely efficient. It is heat-resistant and reflective, so it protects the interior of the home from the elements outside.”
Hot home
Since the home was listed less than a week ago, the listing agents have received plenty of interest from CEOs to A-list celebrities.
“People are really excited about it,” Kirman says. “We have a lot of big names who are looking at it, as well as architectural buffs and executives from Fortune 500 companies.”
ExteriorRealtor.com
So, is this house likely to be used as a primary or secondary residence?
“It will probably be the second, third, or fourth house for someone,” Kirman says. “That’s the level of people who are showing interest. A lot of high-profile celebrities have rented it … including Lizzo, Demi Lovato, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, and Logan Paul. A really diverse crowd of celebrities have come through the property over the years.”
There is also a one-bedroom guesthouse on the property that offers its own kitchen and living space. The original property sits on 90 acres, but only 67.5 acres are included in the sale of the home.
“The sellers are keeping the other 22.5 acres,” Adamo says. “I am not sure what they are going to do with it, but it will offer them the opportunity to build something else, if they choose.”
So, why would anyone part with this house? Adamo shares some insight.
The owners “view this home as a piece of art, similar to the way they view a movie,” he explains. “They want the world to have access to it, as it has become sort of a cultural phenomenon. They want … to share their work of art with the rest of the world.”
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