On 90 acres of coveted desert land bordering Joshua Tree National Park sits a 5,500-square-foot 'Invisible House'. It’s not so much invisible as the exterior is built entirely out of mirrors, such that Invisible House reflects its majestic Joshua Tree surroundings. Designed by noted Hollywood producer Chris Hanley in collaboration with local California architect Tomas Osinski, Invisible House pushes the boundaries of both design and sustainability. And it can be yours for $1,750 an hour—which would come to $42,000 for a 24-hour rental.
The interiors of Invisible House are just as fantastical as the mirror-lined exterior. The main entertaining space features a 100-foot-long pool and an entire white wall guests often use to screen movies. Chris and Roberta Hanley, best known for producing American Psycho and The Virgin Suicides, have a flair for theatrics, which is felt throughout the architecturally phenomenal property.
Chris Hanley, who bought the land with Roberta in 2006, says Joshua Tree was the perfect spot for a property of this artistic caliber. He’s seen plenty of “movement to this area,” as a wave of Los Angeles creatives and artistic talent move from the hills of Hollywood to the desert enclave of Joshua Tree.
Unsurprisingly, Invisible House is often used as a shooting location, especially for music videos and commercial shoots. There’s a captivating futuristic aesthetic to the building, which in essence, looks like a NYC skyscraper tipped over on its side. The futurism isn’t just in the look of the building—among the LEED and EPD certified elements of the house are solar thermal panels powering the hot water and electric, and solarcool glass exteriors with refractive light filtering. The Hanleys also make a diligent effort to preserve and protect the land, leaving minimal impact and ensuring the desert wildlife remains a natural habitat to the Joshua Tree wildlife.
“And it’s a work in progress,” says Hanley. “We’re always updating the lighting and the smart house features.”
Top-tier Los Angeles talent don’t just flock to Invisible House as a shooting location or event space, many big names—from Val Kilmer to a recent visit from Demi Lovato and boyfriend Max Ehrich—will spend the weekend. Invisible House is currently listed for rental on Peerspace. Book it before the location scouts for Lady Gaga’s next music video do.
