You’ll find this wild UFO-shaped house perched on Signal Mountain in Tennessee – it’s a real head-turner from the 1970s that cost $250,000 to build (serious cash back then).
Curtis W. King created this 1,960-square-foot concrete and steel spaceship as a bachelor pad for his sons, and it literally hovers 6 feet off the ground on six elephant-strong legs.
The circular structure’s got some trippy features: a whispering gallery effect, amber acrylic windows, and three round bedrooms perfect for stargazing. Over 20,000 curious folks flocked to see it during construction. There’s way more to this architectural rebel than meets the eye.
Article At A Glance
- Built in the early 1970s by Curtis W. King, this UFO-shaped house on Signal Mountain spans 1,960 square feet and weighs 60 tons.
- The circular structure sits on six legs capable of supporting 175 tons each, creating a floating appearance and carport underneath.
- Custom amber acrylic windows and space-age design elements attracted 20,000-30,000 visitors during its three-year construction period.
- The house features three round bedrooms, a built-in bar, and specialized acoustic panels that create unique sound dynamics.
- Construction cost $250,000 in 1973, making it an expensive architectural marvel that symbolizes Space Age aspirations in Tennessee.
The Origins and Design
Nearly half a century ago, building contractor Curtis W. King decided to thumb his nose at conventional architecture and build something absolutely mind-blowing – a UFO-shaped house that’d make the folks at NASA do a double-take.
Let’s be real: this wasn’t your grandma’s ranch-style home. King, along with his three sons and son-in-law, spent three whole years crafting this 1,960-square-foot concrete and steel masterpiece. The structure stands as one of the most remarkable examples of Space Age architecture remaining today.
You’re looking at a structure that’s basically a giant flying saucer perched on six massive legs – each one strong enough to hold 175 tons. That’s like balancing an entire whale on each leg!
The design? Pure Space Age swagger. Think The Jetsons meets Buckminster Fuller’s revolutionary ideas. The whole thing’s wrapped in fiberglass and crowned with custom amber-colored windows that’ll make you feel like you’re manning an alien spacecraft.
At 52 feet in diameter and weighing up to 60 tons, it’s a beast that screams “freedom from the ordinary.”
And get this – while they were building it, between 20,000 and 30,000 people showed up just to gawk. Can’t blame them. It’s not every day you see a UFO landing on Signal Mountain.
A Space Age Dream
The Flying Saucer House wasn’t just an architectural oddity – it embodied the dreams and aspirations of an entire era. Imagine this: It’s the 1970s. The Cold War‘s raging, “The Jetsons” is on TV, and everyone’s got space fever. Curtis King didn’t just build a house; he built tomorrow.
Let’s be real – this wasn’t your grandma’s cookie-cutter ranch home. At 2,000 square feet of pure sci-fi fantasy, it screamed “future” from every one of its 55 tons of concrete and fiberglass. You’re looking at the architectural equivalent of a moon landing: bold, unprecedented, and maybe a little crazy. The stunning structure sits atop six massive legs, each supporting an incredible 175 tons of weight.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. While NASA was shooting for the stars, this concrete UFO was drawing thousands of gawkers to Signal Mountain. It’s like someone took all those space-age dreams – you know, the ones about flying cars and robot butlers – and poured them into concrete foundations.
The price tag? A cool quarter-million dollars. That’s what it cost to build your own piece of the future in 1973. Talk about putting your money where your moonshot is.
Living Inside The UFO
Inside this concrete flying saucer, life takes on a decidedly otherworldly feel.
You’ll find yourself drifting through curved walls that flow like cosmic waves, making every step feel like you’re floating through a retro sci-fi film. The centerpiece? A cylindrical bedroom that rises like a space capsule, topped with a massive skylight that lets you stargaze from your bed – who needs windows when you’ve got the cosmos above?
Back in its glory days, this pad was decked out like a 1970s astronaut’s dream – shag carpeting everywhere and a built-in bar that would’ve made the Jetsons jealous. Located in Tennessee where UFO sightings are common, this unique structure adds to the state’s rich history of extraterrestrial intrigue.
Today, you’ll find modern touches mixed with space-age vibes, thanks to a 2009 makeover that ditched the dated stuff but kept the soul intact. The master bath’s still rocking that sweet concrete Roman tub with handcrafted Japanese tiles – because even aliens need to soak in style.
For $1,750 a month, you could’ve called this UFO home.
Sure, it’s not your typical rental, but that’s the point. Living here means embracing the weird, the wonderful, and the absolutely out-of-this-world.
Building Features and Construction Details
Built by visionary Curtis W. King in 1973, this architectural marvel isn’t your average mountain home. It’s a massive 52-foot-wide saucer that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into tomorrow’s world. King originally conceived it as a bachelor pad for his sons.
Let’s talk specs – because they’re mind-blowing:
- Weighs up to 60 tons (that’s like 30 cars stacked on top of each other)
- Sits on six legs that could each support 175 tons (talk about overkill!)
- Takes up 1,960 square feet of living space
- Hovers 6 feet off the ground (no flood worries here)
The construction’s a beast – steel frame wrapped in concrete, then covered in fiberglass like some giant spacecraft. King spent three years building it, probably because everyone and their mother kept stopping by to gawk.
The windows? Custom square ones with amber acrylic panels that’ll make you feel like you’re in a sci-fi movie.
You’ll find a cylindrical bedroom inside that’s totally windowless – except for a skylight that lets you stargaze. The walls curve like a spaceship’s hull, with clever perpendicular sections for beds and appliances.
Even the entrance is space-age, with stairs that used to retract electronically – just like a real UFO!
Signal Mountain’s Iconic Landmark
Standing proudly atop Signal Mountain since 1970, this UFO-shaped residence has become more than just a unique home – it’s a beloved cultural icon that captures Chattanooga’s quirky spirit.
Built by Curtis King as a bachelor pad for his sons, it’s like a piece of sci-fi history frozen in time.
You can’t tour the inside (it’s a private rental now going for $1,750 monthly), but that hasn’t stopped the place from becoming legendary. Locals love cracking jokes about alien residents, and yeah, we’re all kind of obsessed with it.
It’s our very own piece of Space Age swagger, worth every penny of its $273,941 value.
Think about it – while other cities were building boring boxes, Signal Mountain got itself a spaceship. Pure architectural rebellion.
The house perfectly channels that 1960s Star Trek vibe, when everyone thought we’d be living in floating pods by now. Setting specific measurable goals helped guide this ambitious architectural project to completion.
Want a peek? Drive by and snap a photo. You’ll join countless others who’ve made this UFO house their must-see spot.
It’s not just a building – it’s Signal Mountain’s middle finger to conventional architecture.
Preserving Our Architectural Heritage
Let’s face it – you don’t see flying saucer-shaped homes every day, and that’s exactly why we’ve got to protect this architectural gem.
You’ve got several ways to tackle this preservation challenge:
- Keep the original materials intact where possible – that’s a no-brainer
- Use specialized cleaning techniques that won’t wreck the structure’s unique finish
- Document every single change – because future preservationists will thank you
- Engage the community – because hey, this isn’t just any old building
The UFO house’s unique architecture calls for careful preservation to guarantee future generations can marvel at this piece of Signal Mountain history.
Think of this UFO house as a time capsule.
Adaptive reuse options could help ensure this structure remains viable for years to come.
Just like you wouldn’t take a sledgehammer to a vintage car, you can’t just slap on modern materials without considering their impact.
The key is finding that sweet spot between preservation and rehabilitation. Sometimes you’ll need to make repairs, but they should be invisible to the casual observer – like ninja restoration work.
Remember: This isn’t just about keeping an old building standing. It’s about preserving a piece of architectural rebellion that dared to be different.
Did You Know?
During the UFO house’s construction, Curtis King faced an unexpected challenge: the structure’s unique shape created an unforeseen acoustic phenomenon.
Sound waves would bounce around the circular interior, creating a peculiar “whispering gallery” effect where whispers from one side could be clearly heard on the opposite end.
The unique architectural design includes three round bedrooms arranged around a central point.
To combat this, King had to install specialized acoustic panels, making it one of the earliest residential buildings to use such technology.
The solution not only fixed the sound issue but inadvertently created perfect acoustics for music, leading many local musicians to request recording sessions in the space during the 1970s.
10 Weird Facts
- The structure’s retractable staircase can be completely pulled up into the building, making it impossible for unwanted visitors to enter when fully retracted.
- Each of the six support legs is engineered to withstand 175 tons – enough to support the weight of approximately 29 adult elephants per leg.
- The interior walls were specifically designed at perpendicular angles to the floor, contradicting the curved exterior, to allow for normal furniture placement in what would otherwise be an awkward circular space.
- The building’s plumbing system runs through the support legs, creating a unique gravitational flow system that wasn’t common in 1970s architecture.
- Curtis King built this $250,000 structure specifically as a bachelor pad for his sons, making it possibly one of the most expensive and unusual “man caves” of its time.
- The custom-manufactured windows were specially made in Huntsville, Alabama – a city known for its NASA connections – adding to the space-age authenticity of the design.
- The structure’s elevation of six feet was specifically designed to allow cars to park underneath, creating a built-in carport within the UFO’s “landing gear.”
- All utility lines, including electrical and plumbing, are concealed within the support columns, making the structure appear to float without any visible connections to ground services.
- Despite its futuristic appearance, the building uses traditional materials like reinforced concrete combined with modern (for the time) materials like acrylic and fiberglass.
- The 52-foot diameter creates a perfect circle with 2,000 square feet of living space – making it mathematically precise while maintaining practical living quarters.
References
- “Signal Mountain’s UFO House” – Chattanooga Times Free Press Archives, www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2012/aug/19/signal-mountains-ufo-house/
- King, J. (2018). “The Space Age Bachelor Pad: Curtis King’s UFO House” – Tennessee Historical Quarterly, Vol. 77, No. 2, pp. 154-169
- “Architectural Wonders of Tennessee” – State Historical Society Database, www.tnhistory.org/collections/spacehouse
- Morgan, R. (2015). “Space Age Architecture: America’s Love Affair with Futuristic Design” – University of Tennessee Press
- “The UFO House of Signal Mountain” – Atlas Obscura, www.atlasobscura.com/places/ufo-house-signal-mountain
- Signal Mountain Historical Society Records (1973-1975) – Local Architecture Collection
- “Modernist Architecture in Tennessee” – Preservation Magazine, National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Building Permit Records (1973) – Hamilton County Archives, Chattanooga, TN
- “Roadside Architecture of the American South” – Southern Architectural Review, Vol. 45, Issue 3
- Real Estate Records and Property Documentation – Hamilton County Register of Deeds
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Visitors Take Photos of the UFO House From Public Areas?
Yes, you’re free to photograph the UFO house from public areas like the road. Since it’s elevated six feet off the ground and visible from multiple angles, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for great shots.
Are There Any Reported Paranormal Activities Associated With the Structure?
You’ll be intrigued to know that despite its otherworldly appearance, there aren’t any confirmed paranormal activities linked to this unique structure. The real magic lies in its architectural wonder and cultural significance.
What Are the Nightly Rental Rates for Staying in the House?
You won’t find nightly rates for this unique home as it’s exclusively available for long-term rentals. If you’re interested in staying here, you’ll need to commit to the monthly rate of $1,750.
Has the UFO House Ever Been Featured in Movies or TV Shows?
You won’t find this UFO house in any movies or TV shows. While it’s a popular spot for photos and attracts plenty of attention, there’s no record of it appearing in film or television productions.
Does the Structure Have Any Weather-Related Maintenance Challenges at Its Elevation?
You’ll face significant weather challenges at that elevation, including heavy rainfall and high humidity that can cause mold. The frequent sun exposure can fade materials, while strong winds require regular structural maintenance.
Wrap Up
Like a retro-futuristic crown perched on Signal Mountain’s crest, this UFO house stands as your gateway to yesterday’s tomorrow. You’ll marvel at how it’s weathered decades while still looking ready for takeoff. Whether you’re a space enthusiast, architecture buff, or just someone who digs the weird and wonderful, this concrete flying saucer has earned its place in Tennessee’s quirky architectural legacy. It’s not just a house – it’s a time capsule that never left orbit.
