Emma Wilson
There are several houses known as the Mushroom House. The La Jolla Mushroom House in San Diego, California, was originally owned by Sam Bell, heir to General Mills and magnate of Bell’s Potato Chips. It was later owned by venture capitalist Buzz Woolley, who purchased it for $4 million in 2015. It is currently owned by an unknown philanthropist. The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York, was constructed for attorney-artist couple Robert and Marguerite Antell between 1970 and 1972. It was sold in 2012 for $729,000. There is also a Mushroom House in Charlevoix, Michigan, designed and built by Charlevoix native Earl Young, and another in Tacoma, Washington, built by Rod Collen and Shannon Garrett.
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What You'll Learn
The La Jolla Mushroom House in San Diego
The La Jolla Mushroom House, also known as the Bell Pavilion House, is a unique and impressive structure in San Diego County. It is located on Black's Beach, a nude beach in San Diego, at the bottom of a 300-foot cliff. The house was designed by architect Dale Naegle and built in 1968 for Sam Bell, the heir to General Mills and magnate of Bell's Potato Chips. It is said that Bell wanted a private space for his visitors while they were staying in his summer home on the cliffs above.
The Mushroom House was originally named the Bell Pavilion and was accessible via a nearly vertical tramway running from the cliffs above. The house was designed to withstand natural disasters such as rock slides, earthquakes, and tidal waves. The unusual shape of the house has led to its nickname, the Mushroom House, as it resembles a fungus. The house is uninhabited and cannot be entered as it is private property, but it can be viewed from the outside while visiting Black's Beach.
The La Jolla Mushroom House has become a well-known landmark and an iconic symbol of the area's rich architectural history. It has a bold presence and an eccentric design, making it one of the most unforgettable sights in San Diego. The house has had a varied ownership history, with entrepreneur and venture capitalist Buzz Woolley purchasing it for $4 million in 2015. Today, it is rumoured to be owned by the University of California San Diego (UCSD), which occasionally allows staff to use it for relaxation. However, there are also rumours that an unknown philanthropist in San Diego might be the owner.
The Mushroom House is a popular attraction for hikers on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and makes for an excellent photo opportunity due to its unique architecture. It is a beloved feature for surfers, tourists, and locals, and its unusual design has fascinated visitors from around the world for over 50 years. The house has become a symbol of La Jolla's vibrant beach culture and is expected to remain a popular attraction for generations to come.
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The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York
The Mushroom House was designed by James H. Johnson, a proponent of organic architecture, who sought to integrate buildings with their natural surroundings. Johnson's designs emphasize structures that feel as though they have grown from the landscape rather than dominating it. The Mushroom House epitomizes this philosophy, with its five pod-like forms rising out of the side of a hill and mimicking the natural contours of the ravine. The interior of the house mirrors the organic theme of the exterior, with tree-like columns rising from the center and branching out to support the pods. In addition to the four pods mentioned previously, the interior of the Mushroom House includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a spa, and even a waterfall.
The Mushroom House has been described as "a testament to the imagination" of its creators and stands as one of the most unique and visually striking buildings in the Greater Rochester-Finger Lakes area. Its design sprang from the vision of owners who wanted a contemporary, single-level home that harmonized with the steep ravine terrain. The house's brown color and shape are suggestive of mushrooms, although it was actually patterned after the umbels of Queen Anne's Lace. This unique "pod" design earned it its designation as a Perinton landmark in 1989.
The Mushroom House has been a privately-owned residence and was previously owned by physicians Mike Gagnier and Theresa Sherrod, who bought it in 2012 for $799,900. After lowering the price more than half a dozen times, they sold it in 2015 for $629,000. According to Realtor Rich Testa, the sale would make the new owners the fifth owners of the Mushroom House. The house has been a popular attraction for locals and visitors, who can drive by and catch a glimpse of it from the road.
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The Mushroom House's unique architecture
There are several Mushroom Houses in the United States, each with its own unique architecture.
The Mushroom House in La Jolla, San Diego
The Mushroom House in La Jolla, San Diego, is also known as the Bell Pavilion House, as it was originally designed and built for Sam Bell of Bell's Potato Chips. The house was designed by architect Dale or Dal Nagle and built in 1968. It is located on the south side of Torrey Pines City Beach, also known as Black's Beach, tucked away in the cliffs. The beachside home stands out for its circular, dome-like structure, resembling a "big, brown UFO" or "a big, mushroomy house shooting out of the cliff". The house was built to withstand rock slides, earthquakes, and waves. It was previously accessed via a nearly vertical tramway running almost 300 feet down the cliff, though this has been inoperable for several years.
The Mushroom House in Charlevoix, Michigan
The Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix, Michigan, were designed and built by Charlevoix native Earl Young. There are over 26 of these fascinating stone structures, constructed from the stones and boulders found along the miles of shoreline in Northern Michigan. These houses have been described as having a unique architectural style and are considered incredible works of art and science.
The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York
The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York, also known as the Pod House, was constructed for the attorney-artist couple Robert and Marguerite Antell between 1970 and 1972. It was designated a town landmark in 1989. The house comprises four 80-ton pods that rest on reinforced concrete stems ranging from 14 to 20 feet in height. The pods fan out from three to five feet in diameter, with the sides of each pod's "cap" featuring windows. Each pod serves a different function, including living and dining, kitchen, and sleeping areas.
The Mushroom House in Tacoma, Washington
The Mushroom House in Tacoma, Washington, was built by Rod Collen and Shannon Garrett as a getaway home on the Key Peninsula. The house was intentionally designed to resemble a fungus, with a lack of straight lines and reclaimed finishing touches like cabinets, lighting, and countertops that don't match. The surrounding forest is populated with figures from Never Never Land, such as a yard-wide metal spider and Three Men in a Tub.
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The house's previous owners
There appear to be several houses referred to as "Mushroom House".
The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York
The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York, was constructed between 1970 and 1972 for the attorney-artist couple Robert and Marguerite Antell. It was designated a town landmark in 1989. In February 2012, the house sold for $729,000, after the original asking price of $1.1 million failed to attract a buyer.
The Mushroom House in La Jolla, San Diego
The Mushroom House in La Jolla, San Diego, was originally owned by Sam Bell, heir to General Mills and magnate of Bell’s Potato Chips. It was later owned by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Buzz Woolley, who purchased it for $4 million in 2015. The house is currently owned by an unknown philanthropist in San Diego, although there are rumours that it is owned by the University of California San Diego (UCSD).
The Mushroom House in Charlevoix, Michigan
The Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix, Michigan, were designed and built by Charlevoix native Earl Young. Young constructed over 26 fascinating stone structures using the stones and boulders that line the miles of shoreline in Northern Michigan.
The Mushroom House in Tacoma, Washington
The Mushroom House in Tacoma, Washington, was built by Rod Collen and Shannon Garrett as a getaway. The couple initially planned to sell the house but have since changed their minds.
The Mushroom House on Black's Beach, San Diego
The Mushroom House on Black's Beach, San Diego, was owned by an unknown philanthropist who purchased the property in 1987. It is currently abandoned.
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The house's current owner
There are several houses referred to as "Mushroom House".
The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York
The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York, was constructed for the attorney-artist couple Robert and Marguerite Antell between 1970 and 1972. In 2012, the house was sold for $729,000, though it is unclear who the current owner is.
The Mushroom House in San Diego, California
The Mushroom House in San Diego, California, was originally owned by Sam Bell, the heir to General Mills and magnate of Bell's Potato Chips. It was purchased by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Buzz Woolley in 2015 for $4 million. Today, the home is said to be owned by the University of California San Diego (UCSD), though there are also rumours that an unknown philanthropist in San Diego might own the home.
The Mushroom House in Lakebay, Washington
The Mushroom House in Lakebay, Washington, is owned by Rod Collen and his fiancé, Shannon Garrett, who built the house themselves. They initially planned to sell the house but have since changed their minds.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mushroom House in La Jolla, San Diego, was originally owned by Sam Bell, heir to General Mills and magnate of Bell’s Potato Chips. In 2015, it was owned by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Buzz Woolley, who purchased it for $4 million. Today, it is said to be owned by the University of California San Diego (UCSD), although there are also rumours that an unknown philanthropist in San Diego might own the home.
The Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix, Michigan, were designed and built by Charlevoix native Earl Young.
The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York, was constructed for attorney-artist couple Robert and Marguerite Antell between 1970 and 1972. In 2012, the house was sold for $729,000.
The Mushroom House in Lakebay, Washington, was built by Tacoma couple Rod Collen and Shannon Garrett.
