900 Stewart Avenue

The building at 900 Stewart Avenue sits on a natural ledge below street level and overlooks Fall Creek and Ithaca Falls directly. The structure was constructed in Egyptian style and later updated with modern features including renovated windows, skylights, and a teak penthouse extension.

Construction of this Egyptian-inspired structure began in 1925 as a meeting place for the Sphinx Head Society, a student organization at Cornell University that raised funds for the project. The building was later transformed into a private residence and underwent modern architectural changes.

The building displays stone pillars and a rectangular main room with sconce lighting that reflect Egyptian design language. It stands as one of just two Egyptian Revival structures in the region, shaping Ithaca's architectural character in a distinctive way.

The building sits on private property with security systems in place and is not easily accessible from the street since it rests on a ledge below. Your best option to see it is to view it from the Creek side or photograph it from suitable nearby vantage points.

The building began as a secret society meeting place and was later purchased by renowned astronomer Carl Sagan, who converted it into his private home starting in 1981. Sagan made significant architectural modifications to transform it into his personal residence.

Inception: 1926

GPS coordinates: 42.45281,-76.49017

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:21