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The famous Stahl house, a paragon of mid-century modern design, is now available for the first time in its complete history.

This overhanging residence, situated in the Hollywood Hills area, was listed on the market this past week. The price tag stands at a notable $25 million.

Family Decision to Sell

The Stahl family, who have owned the property for its entire 65-year existence, shared a announcement regarding their decision to sell. They expressed that the property had grown excessively demanding to care for.

"This residence has been the heart of our lives for many years, but as we’ve aged, it has become increasingly challenging to maintain it with the attention and vigor it so rightfully warrants," stated the children of the original owners.

They further stated that the time had arrived to find a new "custodian" for the house – "someone who not only appreciates its architectural importance but also understands its role in the cultural fabric of LA and elsewhere."

Unassuming Origins

The inception of the Stahl house trace back to May 1954, when the original owners bought a sloped parcel of land in the at the time undeveloped Hollywood Hills area for $13,500.

Despite the Stahl house evolving into a renowned symbol of the city, the owners often stressed that "no celebrities ever lived here," referring to themselves as a "blue-collar family living in a architectural masterpiece."

Architectural Undertaking

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

In November 1957, the owners interviewed architect Pierre Koenig, who consented to undertake the task. With backing from the prominent Case Study program, led by a prominent magazine editor, the Stahls received support to hire Koenig.

The modernist program "focused on trial and error" and "employing new resources and building in sites that maybe previously the technology didn’t really permit," commented an specialist from a local conservancy. "Each of these factors are wrapped up into a property like the Stahl house, which was innovative, modern and unthinkable in terms of how it was built on that site that everyone else thought, at the time, was unbuildable."

Finalization and Iconic Impact

The Stahl house was assigned Case Study house No. 22, and construction commenced in May 1959. According to the owners, construction totaled "a mere $37,500" and the home was move-in ready by May 1960. The outcome was "an idealized version of what everyone thinks LA is and should be," the expert commented.

Soon after completion, a renowned architectural photographer captured what is perhaps the most famous picture of the home. Shot through the enormous glass windows, the image depicts two women sitting in the home’s living room but looking to hover over the Los Angeles skyline.

"I think the long-standing impact of the image is due to the way it conveys an idea about living in Los Angeles, an ambivalence about being both urban and detached from it," commented a founder of an architectural firm and educator at a leading university.

Historic Status

The home has enjoyed historic appearances in movies, broadcast and promos, including several popular titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 1999, the city recognized the Stahl house a historic-cultural landmark, and in 2013, the house was added as a preserved site on the National Register of Historic Places.

Next Ownership

The home continues to be open for public viewings, as it has been for the previous 17 years, although all tours are currently sold out through February. In their announcement regarding the sale, the family indicated they would give "ample notice" before stopping the tours.

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

"For collectors of style, patrons of design, or entities seeking to protect an national treasure, there is simply no equal," the description state. "This goes beyond a transaction; it is a passing of responsibility – a search for the next custodian who will celebrate the house’s legacy, appreciate its architectural purity, and guarantee its conservation for future generations."

The expert agreed that the choice of buyer would be a crucial one, given the home’s history.

"In my view any time a original family, and a stewardship like this, is transferring hands of a residence like this, it always causes a little bit of a pause – because you are unsure what the next owner, what their plans will be. And can they comprehend and value the house, as in this specific case the Stahl family has?"