One of Hollywood’s most iconic homes on sale for first time for $25M

By James Gamble

One of Hollywood's most iconic homes has gone on sale for the first time in history - for more than $25 million.

The modernist-style Stahl House, also known as Case Study House #22, was built in 1959 for under $37,500.

Considered the most Hollywood of Hollywood homes, it became immortalized in 1960 through Julius Shulman's legendary photograph of two women lounging in the floating corner of the house with the lights of Los Angeles below.

The historic landmark, featured in many films, is now being sold by the Stahl family for $25 million.

Ex-pro football player Buck Stahl and his wife Carlotta bought the lot of land on the then-undeveloped hillside in 1954 for $13,000.

Stahl then instructed architect Pierre Koenig to construct the cantilevered structure that many deemed unbuildable.

However, Koenig's design was built in 1959 as part of the Case Study Houses program, costing just $37,500.

Luxury real estate company The Agency says the two-bed house now stands as "one of the most important residential works of the 20th century", adding that the "museum-grade architectural artifact" is being offered now for the first time by the Stahl family.

Considered an iconic representation of modern architecture in LA during the twentieth century, the home shot to fame after being snapped by photographer Julius Shulman for Time Magazine.

His 1960 shot of two women relaxing in the floating corner of the home whilst the gridded lights of the city flicker below was later recognized by Time as one of the most influential images in the publication's 200-year history.

Agent William Baker said: "Its impact on architecture, visual culture, and the global perception of Los Angeles remains unparalleled.

"Privately positioned at the end of a gated drive, the property offers a rare combination of discretion, security, and serenity high above the city, with exterior cameras supporting the home's privacy.

"This offering represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire a true cultural landmark.

"For collectors of design, patrons of architecture, or institutions seeking to safeguard an American masterpiece, there is simply nothing comparable.

"Koenig's disciplined steel structure, its floating corner, and the sweeping 270-degree panorama of the city create a living environment that is at once serene, elemental, and awe-inspiring."

The house was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1999 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It was also named in the American Institute of Architects' top 150 structures on its America's Favorite Architecture list in 2007 as the only privately-owned home on the roster.

Baker explained that the house has had an unbroken chain of family stewardship since its construction, adding: "This is not merely a sale.

"It is a passing of responsibility - a search for the next custodian who will honor the house's history, respect its architectural purity, and ensure its preservation for generations to come.

"In a city filled with remarkable homes, there is only one Stahl House.

"For the right buyer, this is a legacy to carry forward."

The property is currently being shown to 'pre-qualified clients' only.