A 1973 Round House Built From Old San Diego Water Tanks

The famous Steve Johnson Round House at Kirkwood was built in 1973 from reclaimed old-growth redwood salvaged from San Diego water tanks. It's circular, sculptural, and set among the high Sierra, and it's being sold as-is with a to-do list the listing doesn't try to hide.

A Mountain Original

The 1,533-square-foot house pairs redwood construction with cedar shake and siding, copper accents, dramatic open beams, and multi-level living spaces on three levels. Passive solar design and floor-to-ceiling windows fill the main room with light and frame views of Red Cliffs, anchored by a central granite-tile fireplace monolith. The listing lists 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, and it's an all-electric home. It sits inside the Kirkwood ski resort area, and the listing describes it as a rare chance for a buyer with vision to restore a special mountain property.

The Fine Print Is Long

The listing's own disclosure is unusually candid. Electrical upgrades were done without permits, two bedrooms are lofts without closets or proper window egress, some heating systems have exposed wiring and the forced-air furnace doesn't work, the basement is unfinished, and one bathroom remains unfinished. The exterior stairs, decks, treehouse, siding, and landscaping may need repair, and wildfire mitigation and defensible space work may be required. The flue components are historic and should be independently verified, and winter access involves about 25 steps up from the road, with snow removal to keep a safe path. Buyers are told to do their own inspections.

The Internet Has Thoughts

Naturally, this listing caught the attention of Reddit's r/zillowgonewild community, where wildfire insurance came up first. Commenters said much of the surrounding county is rated high wildfire risk and that insurers have been dropping homeowners in California, while others noted the house sits near a fire department and argued that redwood lumber is naturally fire resistant. A commenter who knows the area said the roads that lead to Kirkwood can close in winter storms, which they felt explained why this reads as a vacation house instead of an everyday home. People also found the bedrooms with doors but no walls "weird," noted the nice wood paneling, and welcomed the house to 1973. See what people are saying about it here.

Think you know what a round redwood house at Kirkwood costs? Take the price quiz and find out. View the full listing here.