House Design

Explore this rare Octagon House in San Francisco – on sale for $8,600,000

The historic eight-sided house built in 1857 is one of only two Octagon homes left in San Francisco

white octagon house
(Image credit: Open Homes Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty)

A rare Octagon home, one of two surviving Octagon houses in San Franciso is on the market for $8,600,000. 

The Feusier Octagon House is one of the oldest houses on San Francisco's famous Russian Hill. Built in approximately 1857, this incredible home survived the deadly 1906 earthquake and fire that ravaged most of the city. 

See: World's best homes – tour the globe’s most beautiful houses

Rather than simply being a wacky creation, Octagon houses were all the rage in the mid-19th century. Inspired by Orson Squire Fowler, a New York Phrenologist's book A Home for All, the eight-sided shape house was prescribed to boost wellbeing. The octagon meant that every room would receive sunlight at some time in the day, and it would help circulate fresh air. 

reception room with dark sofas and chandelier

(Image credit: Open Homes Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty)

After taking a look around the Feusier Octagon House we can't argue with Fowler's logic. Every room in this three-level home is flooded with light thanks to its generous windows.

Sadly, the Octagon house craze didn't stick around, as this is home is one of the last in the country. There are currently around 100 Octagon shaped houses that still exist in the whole of the USA.

blue living room with chandelier

(Image credit: Open Homes Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty)

The unique shape of the house does present a challenge in some of the rooms when styling furniture. However, this glamorous teal living room demonstrates how that challenge is easily overcome with custom-built storage solutions such as the built-in shelves. 

See: Living room ideas – clever ways to decorate living spaces

Instead of opting for a traditional sofa, a cosy art-deco style armchair fits into one of the many corners of the room perfectly. 

white kitchen

(Image credit: Open Homes Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Dark wood floors run throughout this elegant home, accented by the stunning floor to ceiling windows in most rooms of this house. The windows really are the stand-out feature in this property filling the property with light and offering beautiful views across the city. 

In the kitchen and bedrooms, small window seats have been carved out to really make the most of these spectacular features.

white living room

(Image credit: Open Homes Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty)

The high ceilings in this property make it perfect for showcasing a chandelier or two. This dining room is the perfect example of how the homes 19th-century features have been combined with modern flourishes to create a lovely contemporary space.  If you have been looking for dining room ideas, this room is the perfect inspiration.

blue artist studio

(Image credit: Open Homes Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty)

While many of us are carving out space for a home office, this property offers an alternative creative outlet with its own artist studio. Perched at the very top of the property, and surrounded by windows this has to be one of the most beautiful spots in this house and potentially the whole city. 

white bedroom with large window

(Image credit: Open Homes Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty)

The master bedroom has been kept simple and paired back with a white color scheme and dark wood accents. Part of the wall has been boxed off to create extra storage and a contemporary fireplace. However, in a nod to one of those glorious eight corners of the house a bay window seat has been carved out. 

See: Bedroom ideas – designs and inspiration for beautiful bedrooms

This stunning home is currently listed as a San Francisco Landmark. It is on the market with Janet Feinberg Schindler, from Sotheby's International Realty - San Francisco Brokerage.

If ever there was a case to bring back the Octagon house this has to be it. 

News Editor

Rebecca is the News Editor on Homes and Gardens. She has been working as a homes and interiors journalist for over four years. She first discovered her love of interiors while interning at Harper's Bazaar and Town & Country during my Masters in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. After graduating she started out as a feature writer for Women's Weekly magazines, before shifting over to online journalism and joining the Ideal Home digital team covering news and features. She is passionate about shopping for well-crafted home decor and sourcing second-hand antique furniture where possible.