A Real-Life Hobbit House: Incredible Fairy-Tale-Style Home That Was Sculpted Entirely by Hand Finds Itself a Buyer

A hand-sculpted, dome-shaped house that looks like it was pulled straight from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth has landed itself a buyer just a few weeks after being listed for $775,000.

The hobbit-style dwelling, which initially came on the market in mid-May, features curved walls, stained-glass windows, and an endless supply of storybook charm. Designed by famed architect James T. Hubbell, it is a perfect blend of Gothic style and natural beauty.

Though it looks like it’s located in the middle of the Shire, the unique dwelling is, in fact, just 35 miles east of San Diego, nestled among the rolling hills of Alpine.

Known as the Davidson Residence, the one-bedroom, one-bath home at 1025 Alpine Blvd. was built in 1979 and last traded hands for just $358,450 in 2013, according to records.

This wildly imaginative residence was the brainchild of Hubbell, a San Diego visual artist, architectural designer, sculptor, and stained-glass designer who died in 2024; architect Robert W. Thiele; and the Davidson family, for whom the dwelling is now named.

Much like Hubbell’s famed structures at the Ilan-Lael Foundation, the custom dome home in Alpine combines his love of the natural world, primitive materials, and Gothic architecture. 

The enchanting dome home was built entirely by hand between 1975 and 1979. The original owners, Carl and Marilyn Davidson, enlisted Hubbell to design them a home that was unlike anything else they’d ever seen.

“The Davidsons connected with James Hubbell to develop a sculpture that the couple and their four daughters could reside within,” says listing agent Keith York, of Agents of Architecture.

Under the name Earth Form Builder, Hubbell and Thiele designed an oval-footprint dome of steel, rebar, and gunite. It rises upward from a central fireplace, like something you’d imagine in a fantasy novel or deep in the Shire.

“The sprayed gunite was applied by hand on-site, and there’s even a photo from the build showing two men wielding a gunite hose, covering the steel frame with concrete. It’s a real testament to the artistry and labor that went into this home,” says York.

And this particular hobbit house doesn’t just look magical. It also tells a story in every detail. From the twisting wrought-iron railings and colorful stained glass to the handmade mosaics and glowing copper light fixtures, nearly every inch of the 800-square-foot home is handcrafted.

“Every door and window opening are of handmade stained glass, and the mosaics are everywhere,” York adds. 

Nothing about this home has been modernized in the usual sense, and that’s part of the charm. The kitchen, bathroom, and built-ins are mostly original, with redwood cabinetry and stonework still intact.

“It is pretty original,” York says. “And that’s what makes it so special.”

The Davidson Residence is also steeped in a little-known corner of California architectural history. After its completion in 1979, the home was featured in the book “From the Earth Up: The Art and Vision” by Otto B. Rigan. And it’s one of only a few homes ever constructed by Earth Form Builder.

“James Hubbell only designed a handful of structures, several of which have been demolished, and several on his own property,” York notes. “So a standalone residence by this artist is rare.”

Though small in footprint, the home sits on two-thirds of an acre filled with native oaks and sculpture-studded gardens. There’s also a stream that runs along the southern edge of the property, known as the Alpine Stream. 

“It is pretty special amidst the native plants and oak trees,” says York. “The patio off the front door is a delight of hand-installed sculpture and mosaics.”

The town of Alpine “is fairly notable for its dining, including the Alpine Beer Company,” York says. “It’s somewhat rural, on the eastern flank of San Diego County and just a quick trip to the mountains and the desert floor beyond the Cleveland National Forest.”