Novato is home to several architectural landmarks visible from Highway 101, but none are as famous as the rotating round house on Harkle Road. For the first time in history, this unique property is on the market. It is part of a larger package deal that includes six other homes on 2.25 acres, currently listed for $3.3 million.
The structures were built by Sam Harkleroad, a self-taught designer often called the Frank Lloyd Wright of Novato. The round house itself sits on a pedestal and moves along an old railroad track. It uses a washing machine motor to spin 320 degrees over a 20-minute period. The house has famously confused passersby for years, with some travelers occasionally walking inside thinking they found a restaurant.
Also included in the sale is the potato chip house, a hyperbolic paraboloid structure that shares its design language with sports arenas in London and Calgary. These homes sit on solid bedrock, a choice Harkleroad made during construction over 60 years ago. The properties are all occupied by tenants, making this a rare opportunity for someone to acquire a significant piece of local architectural history.
Listing agent Angelo Baglieri spent nearly a decade building a relationship with the owner before securing the listing. He hopes the new owner will preserve these structures. Given their location and visibility, the homes remain a standout feature of the North Bay landscape.