Jackie Gleason’s Spaceship-Like Mansion Hits the Market For $12M
Built by a Frank Lloyd Wright disciple for American icon Jackie Gleason, this UFO-like home known as "The Mothership" is a unique architectural wonder.
Tucked away in the woods of the Hudson Valley is a striking spaceship-inspired home that befits American comedy legend Jackie Gleason’s bigger-than-life reputation.
Commissioned by Gleason during the filming of The Honeymooners sitcom in New York City, the 8.4-acre property with its dramatic, rounded forms was in part a realization of the multi-talented actor’s love for UFOs.
Used as a retreat from New York City, the Hudson Valley home includes a broadcasting studio so Gleason could work in a quieter environment.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
Silverman & Cika’s Robert Cika, a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright, was the architect behind the project.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
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Gleason was intimately involved in all aspects of the home's design. While it took five years to construct, the property was completed in 1959 for the then-cost of $650,000. The house was prefabricated by a shipbuilder in an airplane hanger and then installed on site.
Topped with a copper roof, the round house is the largest of the property’s three homes. Gleason affectionately nicknamed it "The Mothership."
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
Here's the entrance to The Mothership, which is flanked by lush landscaping.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
Now, nearly sixty years after its completion, the updated 7,450-square-foot property—and its three buildings—has hit the market for $12,000,000. Scroll through to take a closer look.
"The concept of the home is a musical note—hence the roundness of the design. As with a note, it never ends," explain the RE/MAX TOWN & COUNTRY listing agents.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
Full-height glazing wraps around the house for spectacular views of the woods.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
All the flooring curves with the wood, and has been bent to a circle fashion using a steaming machine. The house includes tens of thousands of pieces of wood, all curved by hand.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
The property includes four bars—one of which seats 13 people.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
Next to the bar, a billiards room branches off of the circular Great Room and leads to a cozy den.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
The home features three lavish fireplaces—each built of Carrara marble—weighing a total of 240 tons.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
A look inside the den with a second fireplace. "Jackie actually had to buy the quarry in Italy as they were running out of marble for the home," notes the listing agents. "Jackie brought the workers over from Italy to build and place the three connected fireplaces. The quarry passed with his estate when he passed away."
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
The cap for the fireplace was so massive that it had to brought in by helicopter.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
The pillars are built of Douglas fir, while the sturdy footings are made from aircraft aluminum.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
Right angles were eschewed in favor of curved, organic forms. "If you look at the ceilings, the woodwork looks like rowboats," continue the agents. "They are the trusses that hold the house up—there are no cross support beams, because they would have had right angles."
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
The approximately 3,950-square-foot, three-story Mothership includes two bedrooms and two full baths.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
A look inside one of the bedrooms with a round bed and a television embedded into the ceiling.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
The built-in office and broadcasting studio allowed Gleason to comfortably work from home.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
Built in 1937, this stone building came with the property and sits next to the Mothership. Gleason dubbed the structure "The Barracks."
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
The timber-lined interiors of the two-story Barracks have a far more traditional appearance than those in the Mothership.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
Nicknamed "The Spaceship," the small UFO-inspired cottage includes a tiny utility kitchen, bathroom, and storage.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
A look inside the Spaceship, which is built around a hanging fireplace. Although Gleason originally intended to use the space for storage, it can be adapted to house guests.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
The pools were added in the 1980s by the current seller.
Anthony Acocella - Acocella Photography
196 Furnace Dock Road, Cortlandt, NY is now being listed by Margaret Bailey, Howard Payson, and Jacqueline Campanelli of RE/MAX TOWN & COUNTRY for $12,000,000. See the full listing here.
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