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The renowned Stahl house, a paragon of mid-century modern architectural design, is currently listed for the first time in its entire history.

This cantilevered dwelling, nestled in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood, appeared on the market this past week. The listing price stands at a substantial $25 million.

Owners Decision to Sell

The Stahl family, who have owned the residence for its entire 65-year history, released a declaration regarding their resolution to sell. They expressed that the property had proven increasingly challenging to care for.

"This home has been the center of our lives for many years, but as we’ve grown older, it has become progressively harder to care for it with the care and vigor it so richly deserves," wrote the offspring of the original owners.

They further stated that the period had arrived to find a new "steward" for the house – "an individual who not only appreciates its architectural significance but also grasps its position in the cultural landscape of LA and further afield."

Humble Inception

The inception of the Stahl house trace back to May 1954, when the initial owners purchased a mountainous plot of land in the at the time undeveloped Hollywood Hills area for $13,500.

Despite the Stahl house becoming a renowned representation of the city, the owners often stressed that "no famous individuals ever lived here," characterizing themselves as a "average family living in a architectural masterpiece."

Construction Feat

The first design for the Stahl house was developed during the summer months of 1956. However, many designers were at first hesitant to erect it on the challenging hillside.

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

The progressive program "focused on experimentation" and "utilizing new resources and erecting in places that maybe before the technology didn’t really allow," stated an expert from a local preservation society. "All those things are wrapped up into a site like the Stahl house, which was innovative, progressive and unthinkable in terms of how it was constructed on that plot that everyone else believed, at the time, was not feasible."

Completion and Famous Influence

The Stahl house became Case Study house No. 22, and construction commenced in May 1959. According to the residents, construction amounted to "only $37,500" and the home was finished by May 1960. The outcome was "a perfect representation of what everyone envisions LA is and should be," the specialist added.

Soon after construction was finished, a celebrated architectural photographer shot what is arguably the most iconic image of the home. Shot through the full-length glass windows, the photo shows two women positioned in the home’s living room but appearing to levitate over the Los Angeles skyline.

"I think the enduring influence of that photograph is due to the way it communicates an concept about living in Los Angeles, an contrast about being both in the city and detached from it," stated a principal of an architectural practice and educator at a prominent university.

Protected Designation

The home has had historic appearances in cinema, TV and music videos, including several well-known 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 added as a conserved building on the National Register of Historic Places.

Coming Stewardship

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

The sales details for the home highlights finding a purchaser who will conserve the essence of the space.

"For connoisseurs of architecture, patrons of building, or entities seeking to protect an iconic work, there is simply no equal," the listing state. "This goes beyond a purchase; it is a passing of responsibility – a hunt for the next steward who will honor the house’s history, appreciate its original vision, and ensure its protection for future generations."

The expert agreed that the selection of buyer would be a vital one, given the home’s legacy.

"In my view any time a original family, and a guardianship like this, is changing ownership of a residence like this, it always creates a little bit of a hesitation – because you never know what the next owner, what their intentions will be. And do they comprehend and appreciate the house, as in this unique case the Stahl family has?"