It's out of this world! Bob Hope's space age Palm Springs home goes on the market for $50m

By Mike Larkin

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It looks like a home from the future.

And now Bob Hope's legendary Palm Springs mansion has gone on the market for an eye-watering $50m.

It is the most famous property owned by the legendary comic, who was extremely passionate about architecture.

Boldly go where noone has gone before: Bob Hope's famed Palm Springs home is up for sale for $50m

Boldly go where noone has gone before: Bob Hope's famed Palm Springs home is up for sale for $50m

The California home was designed by renowned Modern architect John Lautner especially for the funnyman and his beloved wife Dolores.

The concrete, steel and glass house was built in 1979 and has about 22,000 square feet of living space, and its unique design is somewhat reminiscent of the USS Enterprise.

Buyer's will get to boldly go where no-one except the Hope family has gone before, as this is the first time it has gone on the market.

It was sited on San Jacinto mountain to have a spectacular view overlooking the Coachella Valley, and its curving copper ' mushroom' roof plays off the shape of the nearby mountains.

Futuristic: The home owes is space age look to a design by famed modernist architect John Lautner

Futuristic: The home owes is space age look to a design by famed modernist architect John Lautner

Stunning: The property was specially designed to take advantage of the glorious natural landscape

Stunning: The property was specially designed to take advantage of the glorious natural landscape

Not pooling your leg: The swimming facility was actually made in the shape of Bob¿s famous profile

Not pooling your leg: The swimming facility was actually made in the shape of Bob¿s famous profile

According to public records the home has six bedrooms, and Bob apparently did not like being caught short as there are also 12 bathrooms.

It also has the unique distinction of having a massive boulder jutting out the living room floor.

The English-born entertainer obviously had expensive tastes, as the murals on the first floor and the pool area are by Garth Benton, whose work is also featured at the Malibu Getty.

As well as the Hollywood standard swimming pool, which is in the shape of Hope’s famous profile, other outdoor features include a pond, tennis court and an outdoor fireplace.

Bob died in 2003 at 100 and his long-running career saw him meet presidents, star in films and tour the world firing his famous one-liners.

No wonder he was so cheerful: Bob was often cited as the biggest private landowner in California

No wonder he was so cheerful: Bob was often cited as the biggest private landowner in California

Stream of consciousness: The funnyman will have found this a relaxing place to think up new gags

Stream of consciousness: The funnyman will have found this a relaxing place to think up new gags

Telescopic view: The comedian had the perfect place to indulge his love of stargazing here

Telescopic view: The comedian had the perfect place to indulge his love of stargazing here

His second wife Dolores, who he married back in 1934, died in 2011 at 102.

The entertainer was often cited as the biggest private landowner in California.

Last year his daughter Linda sold her late parents’ Toluca Lake estate, near Los Angeles, along with some of its contents, in a well-publicised garage sale.

Despite being designed by one of the world's most famous architects, Lautner was said to have been infuriated at what he deemed to much interference by the Hopes.

It is said he thought the house inappropriately furnished, and distanced himself from the property in later years.

To find out more about the fascinating property click here

The home with the hole: The house would be the ideal headquarters for Polo Mints

The home with the hole: The house would be the ideal headquarters for Polo Mints

Stone the crows: The living room is said to have a gigantic boulder jutting into it

Stone the crows: The living room is said to have a gigantic boulder jutting into it

View-tiful: Bob had it sited on San Jacinto mountain to have a spectacular view overlooking the Coachella Valley

View-tiful: Bob had it sited on San Jacinto mountain to have a spectacular view overlooking the Coachella Valley




 

The comments below have not been moderated.

Actually a pretty cool house, they could use it in a sci-fi movie very futuristic looking :D

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"Great! He spent a ton of money building a shrine to himself. But where is he now? GOD must have asked him why he spent so much of the money he was blessed with on a huge mansion? GOD must have asked him why didn't he help the poor? Now he has no mansion, but my mansion will be in Heaven." GOD didn't ask him anything as GOD isn't real.

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An unusual home, but what surprised me was who owned it. Bob Hope is not a name I would have associated with ultra modern.

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Well Brits do have good taste you know !

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I wish I could aford it - clentview, Stourbridge, United Kingdom, 5/3/2013 12:20 I wish I could afford it too.

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I love it as a building and the views are to die for but I would never want to live in it - far, far too big, though I think it would make a great boutique hotel.

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It looks so dark and cold. I wish we could see something from the inside

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Unusual home. Quite cool

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Stunning! i just wish i had the money, i'd love to live there.

Click to rate     Rating   16

Remind you of a Bond film? Another Lautner design, Elrod House, also in Palm Springs, was used in Diamonds Are Forever.

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