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The renowned Stahl house, a quintessential example of mid-century modern design, is now available for the very first time in its entire history.

This overhanging residence, situated in the Hollywood Hills, hit the real estate market this past week. The asking price stands at an impressive $25 million.

Family Move to Sell

The Stahl family, who have held title to the residence for its complete 65-year existence, shared a statement regarding their choice to sell. They stated that the property had become excessively demanding to upkeep.

"This home has been the heart of our lives for decades, but as we’ve grown older, it has become more difficult to look after it with the dedication and energy it so richly deserves," stated the offspring of the first owners.

They continued that the period had come to find a new "guardian" for the house – "someone who not only appreciates its architectural importance but also grasps its position in the cultural history of LA and beyond."

Unassuming Origins

The origins of the Stahl house date to May 1954, when the initial owners acquired a hilly patch of land in the at the time undeveloped Hollywood Hills district for $13,500.

Despite the Stahl house growing into a well-known symbol of the city, the residents often stressed that "no famous individuals ever lived here," describing themselves as a "blue-collar family living in a luxury house."

Design Undertaking

The initial design for the Stahl house was conceived during the summer months of 1956. However, many designers were initially hesitant to construct it on the difficult hillside.

In November 1957, the family met with architect Pierre Koenig, who agreed to accept the project. With support from the notable Case Study program, spearheaded by a key magazine editor, the owners received financial aid to engage Koenig.

The progressive program "centered around experimentation" and "employing new resources and constructing in places that maybe previously the engineering didn’t really permit," remarked an expert from a regional conservancy. "All those things are combined into a place like the Stahl house, which was avant-garde, progressive and inconceivable in terms of how it was constructed on that plot that everyone else considered, at the time, was unbuildable."

Finalization and Cultural Impact

The Stahl house became Case Study house No. 22, and construction commenced in May 1959. According to the family, construction cost "only $37,500" and the home was move-in ready by May 1960. The final product was "an idealized version of what everyone imagines LA is and should be," the expert added.

Soon after the build ended, a renowned architectural photographer shot what is perhaps the most iconic photograph of the home. Shot through the full-length glass windows, the image shows two women sitting in the home’s living room but seeming to hover over the city skyline.

"I believe the lasting influence of this photo is due to the way it communicates an idea about living in Los Angeles, an duality about being both urban and detached from it," stated a principal of an architectural company and educator at a leading university.

Cultural Recognition

The home has enjoyed notable appearances in movies, television and promos, including several well-known titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 1999, the city declared the Stahl house a protected monument, and in 2013, the house was included as a preserved site on the National Register of Historic Places.

Coming Ownership

The home continues to be open for tours, as it has been for the previous 17 years, although all slots are currently reserved through February. In their statement announcing the sale, the family stated they would give "sufficient warning" before discontinuing the tours.

The listing for the home stresses finding a new owner who will maintain the spirit of the space.

"For connoisseurs of architecture, supporters of design, or organizations seeking to preserve an American masterpiece, there is simply no parallel," the listing read. "This is more than a transaction; it is a handover of custody – a hunt for the next guardian who will respect the house’s legacy, respect its original vision, and ensure its preservation for future generations."

The expert affirmed that the decision of buyer would be a crucial one, given the home’s past.

"In my view any time a original family, and a custodianship like this, is changing ownership of a property like this, it always causes a little bit of a concern – because you never know what the next owner, what their plans will be. And can they comprehend and value the house, as in this particular case the Stahl family has?"