$2.1M dome residence in California desert is like living on ‘extraterrestrial planet’
Beautiful. Magical. Martian.
It’s hard to describe in one word the one-of-a-kind property known as Bonita Domes in Joshua Tree, California, which has hit the market for $2.119 million.
“This exquisite property will leave everyone feeling a sense of magic, almost as though you have just been transported to an extraterrestrial planet,” James Bianco, the listing agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, said in a news release. “This out-of-this-world property is something you will not come across every day.”
The remote residence is a set of rock-like earthen domes that blend into a vast desert landscape on about two acres of land. The home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and spans 1,339 square feet. The domes feature built-in bathtubs and shelves.
A larger dome provides two sleeping quarters, a living area, kitchen and two bathrooms. The singular domes offer a studio area, two separate sleeping quarters and a communal bath area.
The grounds have an outdoor kitchen, grilling area, step-down circular fire pit and a new swimming pool with an expansive space for sunbathing.
The property has a small temple that can be used for meditation and reflection. There are panoramic views of the desert mountains.
Lisa Starr constructed the domes over seven years, Business Insider reported. Some 85% of the materials she used to build the structures were excavated from the property site, according to her website about Bonita domes.
“All the structures were built using minimal resources, materials, and supplies that are easily accessible,” she wrote.
She said the time-intensive building method used is called SuperAdobe architecture, where sandbags of moist earth are stacked with barbed wire in layers or coils to make the shape of the structure.
The property was sold in October 2020 for$808,500, according to public record.
“From October 2010 to October 2020, Bonita Domes was my private home studio and retreat,” Starr wrote. “Bonita Domes remains a model and icon for the Earth Dome Building enthusiasts and those seeking a respite from the mainstream lifestyle.”
This story was originally published February 8, 2023 at 2:05 PM.
