Jackie Gleason’s Famous ‘Mothership’ UFO Home Hits Market at $5.5 Million
If you only know Jackie Gleason from The Honeymooners—that booming laugh, the catchphrase “To the moon, Alice!”—you might be surprised to learn how much the man believed in what lay beyond the moon. Gleason wasn’t just a TV icon; he was fascinated by UFOs, metaphysics, and the idea that we weren’t alone.
That obsession shaped the strangest and boldest project of his life: a circular, spaceship-like home he called the Mothership. He didn’t just want another Hudson Valley retreat. He wanted a personal sanctuary that looked like it could lift off at any second.
Gleason poured himself into this idea. He hired Robert Cika, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, and insisted the design have no straight lines. To Gleason, a square house was too ordinary—he wanted something cosmic, something that matched his larger-than-life personality.
Even when the project ballooned in cost and time, he stuck with it, because this wasn’t just a house. It was proof of his imagination and his belief in other worlds.
You can see how much of him is in the design: the round library where he read about space, the dramatic lighting for late-night conversations, even the circular flow of the rooms—more orbit than blueprint. It was as if Gleason wanted his home to reflect the same mystery and wonder that fueled his off-screen life.
Now here’s what I can’t stop thinking: how many celebrities today would risk their reputation and fortune to build something this eccentric, just because they believed in it?
Would you ever build a home around your biggest obsession, even if people thought you were crazy?
Designing the Future: How the UFO Home Came to Life
When Gleason dreamed up the Mothership, he wasn’t thinking small. He asked architect Robert Cika—a student of Frank Lloyd Wright—to take on the challenge. And instead of sticking to safe mid-century modern lines, Cika and his team went all-in on curves, circles, and copper.
A Scandinavian shipbuilder helped craft the structure, and parts of it were even prefabricated inside an airplane hangar before being moved to the Hudson Valley site. According to Robb Report, the build stretched over five years, cost around $650,000 (a fortune at the time), and CBS chipped in to support their star.
Every detail screamed ambition. Gleason bought an entire marble quarry in Italy just so he could hand-pick the stone. The slabs were so massive, helicopters had to deliver them to Cortlandt Manor. Think about that for a second—how many people have ever gone that far just for their flooring and fireplaces?
Gleason wasn’t the only star who loved throwing lavish parties in unique homes—Rosie O’Donnell’s former Miami Beach mansion carried a similar aura of celebrity glamour, recently finding a buyer at $36 million.
Step Inside the Mothership: Spaces, Details & Features
Walking into the Mothership isn’t like stepping into any “normal” house. You don’t find corners or sharp angles; you feel like you’re moving inside a circle that keeps unfolding.
The 3,950-square-foot main house includes three bedrooms, two full baths, and a half bath. There’s a curved stainless-steel kitchen, a dining room, and a circular library that almost feels like a command center.
The vaulted wooden ceiling looks like the hull of a ship, while stylized metal vents resemble fish—Gleason clearly loved mixing the cosmic with the organic.
But what hits hardest are the entertainment details. Imagine three bars swooping across the space, a marble dance floor begging for Sinatra or Monroe to cut loose, and a game room with shuffleboard built right in.
Yet despite all that party energy, much of the original cabinetry, closets, and custom furnishings are still intact—like the house has been waiting for its next act.
By the way, I often share rare home tours, quirky listings, and design deep-dives directly on WhatsApp—it’s like getting a private feed of the most unusual estates. If you enjoy houses like the Mothership, you’ll love those quick updates.
Party Palace Meets Personal Sanctuary
Here’s the thing: Gleason didn’t just build a UFO house to show off. He built it to live in, to host, and to retreat from the noise of fame.
At night, the place came alive. Frank Sinatra dropped in. Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio passed through. Even President Richard Nixon is said to have joined the gatherings. With three bars, a marble dance floor, and endless music, the Mothership was pure mid-century glamour.
But it wasn’t only about the spotlight. The circular library, the wooded 8.6 acres, and the quiet just an hour north of Manhattan gave Gleason real solitude. As The New York Post pointed out, the Mothership balanced spectacle with sanctuary—making it a place where he could be both star and seeker.
It’s rare to find a home that could shift from all-night parties to silent mornings so effortlessly. And maybe that’s why it still feels alive today, even decades later.
f you could host one unforgettable night at the Mothership, which celebrity—past or present—would you invite? Drop your pick below.
Beyond the Mothership: The Full Estate Package
The main UFO house is just the beginning. Gleason’s estate actually comes with two more dwellings that add layers to the story.
First, there’s the “Spaceship”—a smaller, circular guesthouse used as a bunkhouse and later a glamping spot. Then there’s The Barracks, a 1930s Colonial Revival stone home that’s far more traditional but offers extra space for guests or caretakers.
The grounds stretch across 8.6 acres of Hudson Valley woodland. You’ll find a cultivated herb and vegetable garden, a garden shed, and views that remind you this is only an hour outside Manhattan. That combination—quirky architecture plus natural setting—makes it feel like both a landmark and a retreat.
We’ve seen other pop culture legends list their iconic retreats too—like Christopher Lloyd’s Santa Barbara pad, a home forever tied to its owner’s creative legacy.
Price Journey: From $150K to $12M to $5.5M
The numbers tell their own story. Back in 1976, CBS sold the estate for just $150,000 after Gleason moved to Florida. For decades, it stayed out of the spotlight.
In 2018, it resurfaced with a staggering $12 million price tag. The listing made noise but never closed. Fast forward to now, and it’s back at $5.5 million—less than half the previous ask.
What does that mean? On one hand, it’s a rare chance to own a piece of celebrity and architectural history at a relative discount. On the other, it highlights how niche properties like this don’t follow typical market rules. They need the right buyer—someone who values the story as much as the square footage.
For investors, it’s a question of vision: could this be a luxury retreat, a museum-style showcase, or a one-of-a-kind short-term rental? Or is it simply meant for the person bold enough to live out Gleason’s dream?
Unusual pricing stories aren’t new in celebrity real estate. Take Jim Irsay’s Indiana lake house, which hit the market for $20 million with a legacy as rich as its price tag.
Why the Mothership Still Matters Today
More than sixty years after it was built, the Mothership isn’t just another luxury listing—it’s a piece of cultural history. This house captured a moment when America looked to the stars, when space and style were both symbols of the future. Gleason turned that spirit into bricks, copper, and marble.
Today, the Hudson Valley is full of high-end homes, but none of them carry this kind of story. This place isn’t about square footage or stainless-steel kitchens—it’s about imagination. If you buy it, you’re not just getting a home; you’re becoming the next chapter in a legend.
And maybe that’s why the Mothership still feels so magnetic. It’s proof that even the quirkiest dreams can leave a mark that outlives the dreamer.
Final Thoughts
I can’t help but wonder who’ll take the controls next. Will it be a preservationist who keeps every curve intact? An investor who reimagines it as a boutique retreat? Or maybe a Gleason fan who just wants to live in a house that looks like it belongs in orbit?
What’s clear is that opportunities like this don’t come often. Homes tied to pop culture, built with this much eccentric genius, are almost impossible to replicate today.
So, if you had the chance—and the $5.5 million ticket—would you step inside the Mothership and call it home?
Love exploring homes with legendary backstories? Visit our Real Estate & Homeownership section for more one-of-a-kind estates hitting the market.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available sources. Property details, pricing, and availability may change without notice. Readers should verify all information with the official listing agent before making decisions.
