Driving along Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, one might spot a peculiar sight – a UFO perched atop a local strip club. This UFO is no ordinary structure; it is one of only two remaining “Futuro Houses” in Florida. Originally envisioned as the “House of the Future,” this UFO, now known as “2001 Odyssey,” was the brainchild of Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in the late 1960s.
Commissioned to design a mobile ski chalet, Suuronen crafted these unique prefabricated structures using fiberglass saucers. Weighing about 12,000 pounds, these Futuro Houses were built to withstand various weather conditions, offering around 500 square feet of living space supported by steel legs. They featured a retractable door hatch for easy access.
Introduced to the market in the ’60s, the Futuro Homes were intended for mass production. However, the venture did not achieve the expected success. Despite this, a few homes, like the one in Pensacola Beach, found buyers. Gwendolyn Zerby, one such buyer, was drawn to the Futuro House for its safety features and low maintenance requirements.
While the Futuro Homes did not gain widespread popularity, they became a source of fascination for passersby. The peculiar shape and design of these structures often slowed down traffic, attracting curious onlookers. Unfortunately, as time passed, many of these homes were abandoned or demolished.
In Tampa, the Futuro House on top of the 2001 Odyssey strip club has undergone various transformations over the years. Originally placed there by Jerry DeLong, the former manager of Futuro of Florida, it has been integrated into the club’s sci-fi theme. Renovations, including color-changing lights, have enhanced the UFO’s appearance.
Simon Robson, a Futuro enthusiast, tracks these unique homes worldwide. With over 60 Futuro Houses globally and only 18 in the U.S., these structures remain rare. Apart from the Tampa Bay club, the only other Futuro House in Florida can be found in Pensacola Beach, where it has become a popular tourist attraction.
As these Futuro Houses continue to captivate the public with their unusual design and history, they serve as a reminder of a bygone era of architectural experimentation. Despite their limited success, these structures offer a glimpse into a time when futuristic living was imagined in the form of UFO-shaped homes.