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The renowned Stahl house, a paragon of mid-century modern architecture, is currently listed for the initial occasion in its whole history.

This suspended home, nestled in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood, appeared on the listings this past week. The price tag stands at a notable $25 million.

Stewards Decision to Sell

The Stahl family, who have held title to the residence for its full 65-year history, shared a declaration regarding their choice to sell. They noted that the property had become too difficult to maintain.

"This house has been the center of our lives for a long time, but as we’ve aged, it has become progressively harder to care for it with the care and effort it so richly deserves," commented the descendants of the original owners.

They added that the moment had emerged to find a new "steward" for the house – "an individual who not only values its architectural importance but also grasps its place in the cultural fabric of the city and further afield."

Humble Origins

The inception of the Stahl house trace back to May 1954, when the original owners purchased a sloped plot of land in the previously undeveloped Hollywood Hills district for $13,500.

Despite the Stahl house becoming a renowned representation of the city, the owners often stressed that "no celebrities ever lived here," referring to themselves as a "average family living in a luxury house."

Design Feat

The original design for the Stahl house was conceived during the summer months of 1956. However, many designers were originally 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 backing from the prominent Case Study program, led by a leading magazine editor, the Stahls received support to commission Koenig.

The contemporary program "was about trial and error" and "using new resources and erecting in sites that maybe previously the techniques didn’t really permit," remarked an specialist from a local conservancy. "All these elements are combined into a property like the Stahl house, which was avant-garde, progressive and inconceivable in terms of how it was constructed on that site that everyone else thought, at the time, was unbuildable."

Completion and Famous Impact

The Stahl house became Case Study house No. 22, and work started 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 "a perfect representation of what everyone thinks LA is and should be," the expert noted.

Soon after completion, a celebrated architectural photographer shot what is perhaps the most famous image of the home. Captured through the enormous glass windows, the photo shows two women sitting in the home’s living room but appearing to levitate over the Los Angeles skyline.

"I think the lasting impact of the photograph is due to the way it expresses an notion about living in Los Angeles, an contrast about being both in the city and detached from it," commented a principal of an architectural firm and adjunct professor at a major university.

Historic Designation

The home has enjoyed historic cameos in movies, TV and music videos, including several well-known titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 1999, the city recognized the Stahl house a heritage site, and in 2013, the house was included as a protected property on the National Register of Historic Places.

Next Ownership

The home is still open for visits, as it has been for the previous 17 years, although all slots are currently reserved through February. In their release concerning the sale, the family indicated they would give "plenty of advance notice" before stopping the tours.

The property description for the home highlights finding a purchaser who will conserve the spirit of the space.

"For enthusiasts of design, advocates of design, or institutions seeking to protect an iconic work, there is simply no equal," the listing state. "This is more than a sale; it is a passing of responsibility – a search for the next custodian who will respect the house’s history, value its design integrity, and guarantee its preservation for posterity."

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

"I think any time a long-term steward, and a guardianship like this, is being sold of a property like this, it always causes a little bit of a hesitation – because you never know what the next owner, what their plans will be. And do they understand and appreciate the house, as in this specific case the Stahl family has?"