Bob Hope (1903-2003) was born in Eltham, London, to a stonemason father and light opera singer-cum-cleaner mother. The fifth of seven sons, Hope became a sensation in the United States where he made his fortune in entertainment. One of his many legacies is a home he commissioned by the American architect John Lautner in 1973, which has now come onto the market for $50 million (£32 million). Located in Palm Springs, California, the massive 23,000 sq m house is the most expensive property in an area overwhelmed by celebrity mansions. It was completed in 1979, having had to be built for a second time after a fire burnt it down. The design is inspired by the surrounding mountainous landscape. Its roof blankets the interior spaces, including six bedrooms, in the form of a volcano with a large opening in the centre. The overall effect of the house, however, is rather space-age. For Lautner, the project ended on a sour note as his relationship with Hope deteriorated regarding its architectural integrity; hence Lautner preferred to be remembered for his other flights of glass-and-concrete fancy around Los Angeles. For modern properties on the market in the UK, visit:The Modern House