THE DONALDSON FUTURO | A RARE PIECE OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY. Nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild, California, the Donaldson Futuro is an extraordinary example of 20th-century visionary architecture and one of the rarest residential structures in America. Designed as a portable, prefabricated dwelling, the Futuro was conceived as a futuristic home that could be transported to virtually any destination--famously even by helicopter. Its unmistakable elliptical form, sculptural profile, & Space Age aesthetic have made the Futuro an internationally recognized icon of experimental architecture. Measuring approximately 26 feet 4 inches in diameter and 13 feet 2 inches high, this remarkable structure encompasses approximately 793/sq ft & weighs approx 11,900 pounds. Constructed of reinforced fiberglass-polyester plastic, the Futuro represents a bold intersection of design, engineering, technology, & popular culture at the dawn of the Space Age. The innovative design was intended to challenge conventional ideas about what a home could be, creating a portable, self-contained environment that remains visually & architecturally captivating more than five decades later. The Futuro has been extensively restored inside & out and is in excellent condition, retaining the integrity of its original 1969 design, workmanship, materials, setting, feeling, & association. Its preservation is particularly significant because so few original Futuros survive, making this property an exceptionally rare opportunity for collectors, preservationists, architects, designers, & those drawn to truly one-of-a-kind places. LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES & is formally recognized as the DONALDSON FUTURO by the National Park Service & the State of California, honoring the owners for their extraordinary restoration & preservation efforts. Their dedication helped save this fragile and culturally significant resource while raising awareness of the surviving family of Futuro homes around the world. The Donaldson Futuro stands as an important example of the preservation of experimental architecture & the remarkable design optimism of the late 1960s. More than a residence, this is a preserved artifact of architectural innovation & American design history. Set within the natural beauty of the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild, the property offers a rare convergence of art, architecture, history, and place. Few opportunities exist to own one. Now is your chance!!
For sale
Listed by: Desert Sotheby's International Realty • Timothy McTavish • 760-619-4765
$1,495,000
52895 Big Rock Rd, Idyllwild, CA 92549
1beds
793sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1969
0.56 Acres Lot
$-- Zestimate®
$1,885/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Space age aestheticUnmistakable elliptical formSculptural profile
- 15 days
- 25,398
- 953
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
Timothy McTavish DRE #01434731 760-619-4765,
Desert Sotheby's International Realty
Source: CRMLS,MLS#: 219153852PS
Originating MLS: California Desert AOR & Palm Springs AOR
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 1
- Bathrooms: 1
- 3/4 bathrooms: 1
Rooms
- Room types: Bedroom, Entry/Foyer, Living Room, Dining Room
Bedroom
- Features: Bedroom on Main Level
Bathroom
- Features: Separate Shower
Heating
- Electric
Cooling
- Central Air, Electric
Appliances
- Included: Electric Cooktop, Electric Oven, Refrigerator
- Laundry: None
Features
- Separate/Formal Dining Room, Open Floorplan, Bedroom on Main Level
- Flooring: Carpet
- Has fireplace: No
Interior area
- Total interior livable area: 793 sqft
Video & virtual tour
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 5
- Parking features: Driveway
- Uncovered spaces: 5
Features
- Levels: One
- Stories: 1
- Fencing: None
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Mountain(s), Panoramic, Trees/Woods
Lot
- Size: 0.56 Acres
Details
- Parcel number: 559211046
- Special conditions: Standard
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Other
- Roof: Other
Condition
- Updated/Remodeled
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1969
Utilities & green energy
- Sewer: Septic Tank
Community & HOA
Community
- Subdivision: Not Applicable-1
Location
- Region: Idyllwild
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $1,885/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $177,417
- Date on market: 10/6/2026
- Listing terms: Cash
Estimated market value
Not available
Estimated sales range
Not available
$1,865/mo
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10/6/2026 | Listed for sale | $1,495,000$1,885/sqft |
Source: | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -- | $177,417 +2% |
| 2025 | $2,196 +3.1% | $173,939 +2% |
| 2024 | $2,130 +0.9% | $170,529 +2% |
| 2023 | $2,111 +1.8% | $167,186 +2% |
| 2022 | $2,073 +2.5% | $163,909 +2% |
| 2021 | $2,022 +12.3% | $160,696 +1% |
| 2020 | $1,800 +2.3% | $159,049 +2% |
| 2019 | $1,760 +3.3% | $155,931 +2% |
| 2018 | $1,704 +1.2% | $152,875 +2% |
| 2017 | $1,684 | $149,879 +2% |
| 2016 | $1,684 -2.5% | $146,941 +1.5% |
| 2015 | $1,727 +4.7% | $144,736 +2% |
| 2014 | $1,649 | $141,903 +0.5% |
| 2013 | -- | $141,264 +2% |
| 2012 | -- | $138,495 +2% |
| 2011 | -- | $135,780 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Monthly payment
Est. payment




