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The peculiar structure rests on stilts, nestled underneath the Queens side of the Queensboro Bridge with the beautifully painted Manhattan backdrop and East River serving as a backyard. It’s obvious the setting is not this particular building’s home, as it is surrounded by some unwelcoming terrain.

Studying the peculiarities of this futuristic creation, you come to find out that not only was it not built on this continent, it’s from a different era altogether.

The Maison Tropicale, constructed in 1951 by Frenchman Jean Prouvè, rests in a lot owned by Silvercup Studies in Long Island City for all to see. What onlookers might not know is that this architectural oddity has a much more exotic home than Queens – having been built in the Brazzaville, the capital of Belgian Congo.

Eric Touchaleaume, an antique dealer who specializes in 20th Century architecture, hopes to share this extravagant and before-its-time building with all New Yorkers. The exhibit, which opened May 17, runs through June 5. He said he hopes to auction the house for between $4 million and $6 million.

“Unfortunately this exhibition is very short,” Touchaleaume said. “We don’t have time to have exhibitions with the schools of art and architecture and others. It’s too short.

Christie’s, which is running the auction, is ecstatic to be able to help sell this extravagant piece of art history. The Maison Tropicale was shipped here from an exhibition in France in six 20-foot containers and two 40-foot containers.

“Christie’s prides itself on being at the forefront of the 20th century collecting categories – for fine art, design, photographs, prints and the decorative arts,” said Joshua Holdeman, Christie’s Senior Vice President, 20th Century Art. “We are delighted to work with the Long Island City Cultural Alliance on this remarkable three-week exhibition, and offer the people of New York City a chance to share in the excitement of having one of the greatest 20th century architectural designs in the heart of the city.”

Jean Prouvé is considered one of 20th century’s most important and influential designers. Ranging from household and institutional furniture to commercial buildings and residential projects, his work consistently paints his signature industrial aesthetic, using traditional metals such as sheet steel and aluminum.

“He was too futuristic, too, expensive. Nobody understands that,” said Touchaleaume in accented English. “The design is very special. The creation of Jean Prouvé is seeing what he is seeing. It is symbolic.”

Touchaleaume hopes that he can continue rebuilding Prouvé’s legacy and showcase his vision worldwide.

“I hope to get enough cash flow to restore the third one because they have a project,” he said. “I want to bring it to Japan, China, Australia and L.A.”