The Star Wars House

On Sullivan’s Island, just a few steps from the Atlantic surf, there sits a home that seems more like a prop from a science-fiction movie than a seaside retreat. Locals call it the Star Wars House, though its real name is the Eye of the Storm—and once you see its gleaming curves and domed silhouette, you understand why. It looks part seashell, part space station, and entirely unlike anything else on the Carolina coast.

The house was born from heartbreak and determination. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo devastated Sullivan’s Island, tearing apart homes and reshaping lives. Among those who lost nearly everything was Dr. George Paul and his wife. Rather than rebuild in the same way, the family decided to create a structure that could not only survive a hurricane but laugh in the face of one. Partnering with architect X. Dilling, they dreamed up a stormproof dwelling with a futuristic edge, completed in 1991.

The finished home weighs more than 600 tons of concrete, steel, and glass, shaped into a monolithic dome. Its rounded exterior gives hurricanes nothing to grab hold of—winds simply rush around it, waves pass beneath it, and the house endures. For years, it has stood as proof that bold design can outwit even nature’s fiercest tantrums.

Step inside, though, and the Star Wars House feels less like a fortress and more like a sanctuary. Its 3,800+ square feet open into airy, curved rooms filled with light. Three bedrooms and five baths give space for family and guests, while a spiral staircase and elevator connect its levels. A wet bar, vaulted ceilings, and sweeping decks add touches of comfort and luxury. Perhaps most unusual of all, the house even has a bank-vault-like room—a safe retreat inside an already indestructible home.

Living here means living in harmony with the sea. From its balconies, you can watch storms roll across the water, knowing the house was built for just such moments. On bright days, the smooth concrete shell shines like a pearl against the sky. To neighbors and visitors, it’s a curiosity—a home that looks plucked from another planet. To those who live inside, it’s a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the refusal to let disaster have the last word.

The Star Wars House isn’t just architecture. It’s a story of survival made solid, a reminder that homes can be as imaginative as they are strong. On Sullivan’s Island, where history and hurricanes meet, this dome has become a legend—a place where science fiction meets the southern shoreline.