About America's Only Fully Domed Octagonal Residence
The world's only fully domed octagonal residence
An octagon is an eight-sided two-dimensional geometrical figure or in simpler terms, shape with eight sides.
The Armour-Stiner Octagon House, also known as the Armour-Stiner House, is located in Irvington, New York. It is one of the most visually unique homes in the world, being the only known fully domed octagonal residence and the only house built in the form of an ancient classical temple.
The house was built in the 1860s by Paul J. Armour, a New York City financier. Later, Joseph Stiner, a prominent tea merchant, purchased the property and made the alterations that produced the unique structure we see today. From 1940 to 1976, it was owned by Carl Carmer, the famed author, poet, and historian.
The U.S. National Park Service describes The Armour-Stiner House as the only fully domed octagonal residence in the United States. Irvington Historical Society defines the house as the only known, fully domed octagonal residence. The National Trust For Historic Preservation acknowledges it as the only known fully domed octagonal residence.
It features a dome reminiscent of Rome's Temple of Vesta, giving it a distinct appearance. The house is five stories tall, including the basement and attic. It contains the only remaining Egyptian Revival room in an American home with its original 1876 furnishings.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. In addition, it was acquired by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It was the first house to be acquired by the National Trust and resold, in 1978, to a private citizen.
The house underwent extensive restoration in the late 20th century by architect Joseph Pell Lombardi. It currently contains period-appropriate furnishings and decorations, reflecting its Victorian-era origins. The property includes beautiful gardens and outbuildings.
Today, it functions as a private residence and is occasionally open for public tours. The house offers various tours, such as the Classic Tour, Decorative Arts Tour, Myths and Mysteries Tour, The Lady in White Immersive Ghost Story Tour, and Victorian Christmas Tour.
These tours provide a glimpse into the history of the house, its architectural uniqueness, and the stories associated with it. Visitors can explore the ornate interior and learn about the occupants and the landscape of the property.
The Armour-Stiner House is a private residence, so visits are only possible through scheduled tours. It is recommended to respect the owner's privacy during the visit. The house has been featured in various architectural studies and has appeared in films and television shows.
It has been home to notable occupants like Carl Carmer, an author, poet, and historian, who lived in the house from 1940 until his death in 1976. The house has a rich history and is known for its unique design inspired by ancient classical architecture.
Standing on the crest of the river's bluff, south of Irvington, this house, known today as the Carmer Octagon, has been a major symbol of the Hudson River. The house has been featured in various architectural studies and has appeared in films and television shows.
It has been home to notable occupants like Carl Carmer, an author, poet, and historian, who lived in the house from 1940 until his death in 1976. The Armour-Stiner House is an ornate and most striking architectural composition.
The extraordinary dome and veranda of 1876 have caused some to refer to the house as the "Taj Mahal of the Hudson Valley," an "arrested carousel," a "pastry chef's nightmare" and "that marvel of the jig-saw."
The Armour-Stiner Octagon House has a rich history and is known for its unique design inspired by ancient classical architecture. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most distinctive residences, it embodies a rare architectural vision that reveals much about 19th-century American life and design ideals.