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The famous Stahl house, a quintessential example of midcentury modern architecture, is up for sale for the initial occasion in its entire history.

This suspended residence, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, hit the market this recent week. The price tag stands at an impressive $25 million.

Owners Move to Let Go

The Stahl family, who have held title to the property for its full 65-year history, shared a statement regarding their decision to sell. They noted that the dwelling had grown increasingly challenging to upkeep.

"This residence has been the center of our lives for decades, but as we’ve grown older, it has become more difficult to care for it with the attention and effort it so rightfully warrants," stated the descendants of the initial owners.

They continued that the period had arrived to find a new "steward" for the house – "an individual who not only values its architectural significance but also comprehends its role in the cultural history of Los Angeles and elsewhere."

Humble Beginnings

The beginnings of the Stahl house trace back to May 1954, when the first owners bought a mountainous patch of land in the at the time undeveloped Hollywood Hills district for $13,500.

Despite the Stahl house becoming a famous representation of the city, the owners often emphasized that "nobody famous ever lived here," characterizing themselves as a "average family living in a luxury house."

Construction Feat

The first design for the Stahl house was created during the summer of 1956. However, many builders were initially hesitant to build it on the difficult hillside.

In November 1957, the family interviewed architect Pierre Koenig, who agreed to take on the challenge. With support from the prominent Case Study program, spearheaded by a key magazine editor, the Stahls received support to commission Koenig.

The modernist program "focused on experimentation" and "using new resources and erecting in sites that maybe previously the engineering didn’t really enable," stated an authority from a regional preservation society. "All those things are integrated into a place like the Stahl house, which was cutting-edge, progressive and unimaginable in terms of how it was constructed on that site that everyone else considered, at the time, was not feasible."

Completion and Cultural Impact

The Stahl house was assigned Case Study house No. 22, and construction commenced in May 1959. According to the residents, construction totaled "a mere $37,500" and the home was completed by May 1960. The result was "a perfect representation of what everyone imagines LA is and should be," the specialist commented.

Soon after completion, a famous architectural photographer shot what is arguably the most famous image of the home. Captured through the enormous glass windows, the photograph shows two women seated in the home’s living room but appearing to levitate over the LA skyline.

"I believe the lasting impact of the image is due to the way it communicates an concept about living in Los Angeles, an contrast about being both in the city and separate from it," stated a head of an architectural company and educator at a prominent university.

Historic Designation

The home has had notable appearances in cinema, broadcast and videos, including several popular titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 1999, the city designated the Stahl house a heritage site, and in 2013, the house was added as a conserved building on the National Register of Historic Places.

Coming Ownership

The home is still open for visits, as it has been for the past 17 years, although all slots are currently sold out through February. In their statement concerning the sale, the family indicated they would give "ample notice" before ending the tours.

The sales details for the home highlights finding a new owner who will preserve the character of the space.

"For collectors of design, supporters of design, or organizations seeking to protect an American masterpiece, there is simply nothing comparable," the listing read. "This is more than a transaction; it is a transfer of stewardship – a quest for the next steward who will respect the house’s past, respect its design integrity, and ensure its preservation for posterity."

The expert agreed that the decision of new owner would be a vital one, given the home’s past.

"In my view any time a longtime owner, and a stewardship like this, is being sold of a residence like this, it always creates a little bit of a hesitation – because you are unsure what the next owner, what their aims will be. And do they grasp and appreciate the house, as in this particular case the Stahl family has?"