California builder's rotating house from 1963 spins onto market

In Novato, California, a truly unique piece of architectural history is available for purchase. Built in 1963 by the eccentric local builder and inventor Sam Harkleroad, a circular house designed to rotate 320 degrees is on the market for the first time in 63 years.

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He was tired of the same old houses. He thought normal houses were boring.

The property, listed for $3.3 million, includes not only the distinctive rotating home but also six other detached residences situated on a 2.25-acre lot. All seven homes are currently occupied by tenants, offering an immediate income stream for the buyer. The unique house itself, spanning 1,560 square feet, was ingeniously designed around a central pillar that accommodates flexible utility lines, allowing for its impressive rotation.

Harkleroad, who passed away in 1993, was known for his unconventional approach to home building, creating dozens of unusual houses across Marin County. His grandson, Harold Pozzi, explained that his grandfather "thought normal houses were boring" and "liked a challenge." The rotating mechanism, powered by two standard washing machine motors, still functions, though it requires occasional checks and is not intended for constant movement like a revolving restaurant.

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He liked a challenge.

Pozzi, who has managed the property for six decades, decided to sell due to the increasing difficulty of maintenance. The house's journey is as remarkable as its design; after its initial construction, state authorities acquired the land for Highway 101. Harkleroad then bought the house back, relocated it using a bulldozer, and even secured corporate sponsorships, such as free kitchen appliances from Tappan, in exchange for public tours. Harkleroad's legacy is one of thrift and imaginative architecture, often utilizing recycled materials and salvaged structures to create affordable, distinctive homes.

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If you wanted toys, you built them. You