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The famous Stahl house, a quintessential example of midcentury modern architectural design, is up for sale for the very first time in its complete history.

This suspended home, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, hit the market this recent week. The asking price stands at a substantial $25 million.

Family Decision to Let Go

The Stahl family, who have owned the property for its complete 65-year timeline, shared a declaration regarding their resolution to sell. They noted that the dwelling had become increasingly challenging to upkeep.

"This residence has been the center of our lives for a long time, but as we’ve gotten older, it has become more difficult to care for it with the attention and energy it so truly merits," commented the offspring of the first owners.

They continued that the moment had arrived to find a new "guardian" for the house – "a person who not only values its architectural significance but also understands its role in the cultural landscape of Los Angeles and further afield."

Modest Origins

The origins of the Stahl house trace back to May 1954, when the first owners bought a hilly parcel of land in the previously undeveloped Hollywood Hills neighborhood for $13,500.

Despite the Stahl house growing into a renowned symbol of the city, the residents often pointed out that "nobody famous ever lived here," characterizing themselves as a "average family living in a luxury house."

Construction Undertaking

The original design for the Stahl house was developed during the summer months of 1956. However, many designers were originally hesitant to build it on the precarious hillside.

In November 1957, the Stahls met with architect Pierre Koenig, who consented to take on the task. With assistance from the prominent Case Study program, pioneered by a leading magazine editor, the Stahls received subsidies to hire Koenig.

The progressive program "was about experimentation" and "utilizing new building materials and erecting in places that maybe previously the engineering didn’t really enable," commented an specialist from a city preservation society. "Each of these factors are integrated into a place like the Stahl house, which was innovative, modern and unimaginable in terms of how it was erected on that plot that everyone else considered, at the time, was impossible to build."

Completion and Famous Impact

The Stahl house was designated Case Study house No. 22, and construction started in May 1959. According to the family, construction amounted to "only $37,500" and the home was completed by May 1960. The outcome was "an idealized version of what everyone imagines LA is and should be," the authority commented.

Soon after construction was finished, a celebrated architectural photographer took what is perhaps the most iconic photograph of the home. Shot through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the photograph depicts two women seated in the home’s living room but seeming to hover over the city skyline.

"I think the lasting effect of the photo is due to the way it communicates an idea about living in Los Angeles, an duality about being both metropolitan and detached from it," commented a principal of an architectural company and adjunct professor at a leading university.

Historic Status

The home has enjoyed historic cameos in movies, television and music videos, including several popular titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 1999, the city designated the Stahl house a historic-cultural landmark, and in 2013, the house was included as a protected property on the National Register of Historic Places.

Next Stewardship

The home is still open for public viewings, as it has been for the past 17 years, although all slots are currently fully booked through February. In their release concerning the sale, the family said they would give "ample notice" before discontinuing the tours.

The sales details for the home highlights finding a purchaser who will maintain the spirit of the space.

"For collectors of style, advocates of architecture, or institutions seeking to protect an American masterpiece, there is simply no equal," the description say. "This is more than a sale; it is a handover of custody – a hunt for the next custodian who will respect the house’s legacy, respect its design integrity, and guarantee its conservation for posterity."

The specialist agreed that the selection of new owner would be a critical one, given the home’s legacy.

"I believe any time a longtime owner, and a guardianship like this, is transferring hands of a home like this, it always gives us a little bit of a hesitation – because you are unsure what the next owner, what their intentions will be. And can they understand and appreciate the house, as in this unique case the Stahl family has?"