Paul J. Armour, a New York financier, built the original house as a summer retreat.  Joseph Stiner, a prominent New York tea merchant, purchased it in 1872, and made extensive alterations, which added the dome and veranda to create a classical, elaborately detailed Roman Temple.  He is responsible for having the house and details painted in whimsical colors, so as to amuse its viewers.  Upon visiting this magnificent home, expect to be taken aback by its unique pink color with blue and scarlet details.  It is a photographer's delight.

The Armour-Stiner octagon is indeed an ornate and striking architectural composition.  The extraordinary dome and veranda have caused some to refer to the house as "The Taj Mahal of the Hudson Valley", an "arrested carousel", and a "pastry chef's nightmare".   Others consider it "the most visually unique house in the country.

The home is situated on a three-acre wooded lot in Irvington, NY.  The building and grounds have recently undergone a lengthy restoration which restored them to their 1872 appearance.  The current owner is preservation architect Joseph Pell Lombardi who has opened the house for public tours just last year.  The tours can be booked through the home's website.

Since the restoration the Armour-Stiner house has been the subject of numerous articles and awards.