Spin Machine: Famed Rotating Home in California Twirls Onto the Market for $5.3M

Can’t decide which room in this La Mesa, CA, house has the best view? Just wait. It’ll change.

“It rotates 360 degrees—both counterclockwise and clockwise—and the plumbing and electrical all rotate together,” explains listing agent Melvina Selfani, of Top 1% with Century 21 Affiliated.

The architectural marvel, known as the Rotating Home, sits high on Mount Helix. Priced at $5.3 million, it’s spinning onto the market for the first time.

“I think it’s incredible,” Selfani says. “It’s genius. Everything about it is my favorite.”

The second floor is approximately 5,100 square feet, including about 1,400 square feet of deck space, which also rotates.

The lower level has a garage (with show spaces that rotate 180 degrees, of course) and a guest suite. There is also 1,200 square feet of fixed, nonrotating deck on the lot that is just more than a half-acre.

Inside, there are four bedrooms and three bathrooms, all with a bit of a retro feel.

“The walls are a light pink,” Selfani says. “It’s kind of modern but with a 1980s vibe.”

The home can rotate completely in 33 minutes at the fastest setting, or it can take up to 24 hours at the slowest speed, powered by simple controls in a closet. The place can also remain stationary.

“With a switch, you can control everything,” Selfani says.

A 1.5-horsepower motor moves 16-inch drive wheels on a track, rotating the house.

Selfani contends that you don’t really feel the motion.

“You’re seeing the view and trees and in five minutes, you look out and say, ‘Oh, I’m seeing a different view,’” she says.

Owners Al and Janet Johnstone completed the house in 2004, after doing much of the work themselves. The couple is selling the one-of-a-kind abode, because they’re moving out of the area.

“The reason why they rotated it is they wanted the view from every room,” Selfani explains.

Needless to say, the innovative design has gotten plenty of attention over the years. HGTV featured the house on an episode of “Home Strange Home.”

The house is built to withstand fires and earthquakes and has 43 solar panels, an elevator, and smart home technology throughout.

The Johnstones have lived in the house full time, but Selfani says that might not be the case for the next owner.

“I think it will be a second home for someone who wants a cool house,” she predicts. “It’s not going to be someone who really, really needs a home. It’s going to be someone that wants a luxury, unique home. Whoever buys it is going to purchase it for the uniqueness.”

The post Spin Machine: Famed Rotating Home in California Twirls Onto the Market for $5.3M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.