The Shell House is an 11-person monolithic dome tucked into five private acres in Roxbury, New York, roughly a three-hour drive from New York City. Built in 1997 by architect Seymore Rutkin as a vision of the single-family home of the future, it was renovated in 2018 by Chicago design firm DAAM into the midcentury-modern, retro-forward vacation rental it is today. At one point it was the most wishlisted Airbnb in New York, and it’s easy to see why.
Approaching the property feels a little otherworldly. The half-moon silhouette blends into the landscape while the wide end opens to sweeping Catskills views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Inside, a massive living room is framed by roughly 25-foot panes that pour in light and frame green fields and distant ridgelines. Retro-cool furnishings — think curvy, legless sofas and vintage cameras on display — set a playful tone, while a long wooden dining table seats the whole group.
The kitchen has character to spare, with pendant lights and literal portholes set into the backsplash. A spiral staircase in the main space leads up to a large loft that functions as its own bedroom suite: two queen beds, a desk, a full bathroom, and plenty of lounge space. On the main wing there are three uniquely styled bedrooms, one of which has a twin-over-full bunk. The layout worked perfectly for our reunion weekend—three couples took the wing rooms and one friend with two toddlers used the loft—though families with very young children should note a gap between the loft floor and railing.
We booked the Shell House for a long-weekend reunion of friends who met abroad a decade earlier. After drives ranging from three to six hours, we found the house did everything you want out of a group getaway. The hosts supply a well-stocked kitchen, board games, extra blankets and toiletries, baby gates, martini glasses, and even a rollaway TV if you want to stream a game. We used it to watch a late-season Knicks matchup; the team won, which made the trip feel extra celebratory.
The outdoor space is the real showstopper. The dome sits amid nothing but green, with mountain views in every direction. Sugar maples provide shade, and wildlife sightings are possible. A 2,000-square-foot back deck has umbrella-shaded loungers, an outdoor dining area, and a stone firepit. We roasted s’mores, blew bubbles for the toddlers, read paperbacks in the sun, and finished the trip with a projector movie night under the stars. The listing also shows winter photos of sledding and snow-covered slopes, which now have us plotting a return visit in the colder months. Pets are welcome; our 10-year-old Schnauzer was very pleased.
One house quirk worth noting is the lack of air conditioning. We worried about heat for an early-June stay, but opening windows at night, keeping blinds closed during the day, and using the available fans kept things comfortable. If you hate heat, plan accordingly, but the natural breezes are often enough.
Beyond the property, the immediate area is quiet and rural rather than a nightlife hub. Roxbury and nearby Margaretville offer the basics, and towns like Andes, Bovina, and Delhi are close enough for a scenic drive. Skiers can reach Belleayre and Plattekill within driving distance in winter. For a charming diversion, visit Fleischmanns for vintage shops and cafés; Doolittle’s is an especially nice local stop. We also enjoyed takeout from Oakley’s in Arkville and a hearty sit-down meal at The Old Mill in Roxbury.
The Shell House manages to be both whimsical and thoughtfully equipped. Little moments — a Pepto-pink bathtub with a porthole view of wildflowers, a spiral staircase that anchors the living room, and sweeping windows that turn every couch into a front-row seat to the mountains — make it memorable. For friend reunions, multigenerational trips, or anyone who appreciates architecture and a bit of midcentury flair, it’s an iconic Catskills escape.
