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The renowned Stahl house, a quintessential example of midcentury modern design, is currently listed for the first time in its entire history.

This cantilevered dwelling, situated in the Hollywood Hills area, appeared on the real estate market this recent week. The price tag stands at a notable $25 million.

Family Move to Sell

The Stahl family, who have been the proprietors of the home for its entire 65-year timeline, issued a announcement regarding their choice to sell. They stated that the property had become increasingly challenging to maintain.

"This residence has been the center of our lives for a long time, but as we’ve grown older, it has become increasingly challenging to care for it with the attention and energy it so truly merits," stated the descendants of the first owners.

They further stated that the time had emerged to find a new "custodian" for the house – "an individual who not only appreciates its architectural importance but also understands its position in the cultural history of the city and further afield."

Modest Beginnings

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

Despite the Stahl house becoming a renowned symbol of the city, the owners often pointed out that "no famous individuals ever lived here," referring to themselves as a "blue-collar family living in a white-collar house."

Architectural Undertaking

The first design for the Stahl house was developed during the summer months of 1956. However, many designers were initially reluctant to construct it on the precarious hillside.

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

The contemporary program "centered around experimentation" and "using new building materials and constructing in locations that maybe earlier the techniques didn’t really permit," commented an expert from a local heritage organization. "All these elements are wrapped up into a site like the Stahl house, which was cutting-edge, contemporary and inconceivable in terms of how it was constructed on that site that everyone else thought, at the time, was impossible to build."

Completion and Iconic Influence

The Stahl house was assigned 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 completed by May 1960. The outcome was "the ultimate vision of what everyone thinks LA is and should be," the specialist added.

Soon after completion, a celebrated architectural photographer took what is perhaps the most iconic picture of the home. Captured through the enormous glass windows, the photo depicts two women seated in the home’s living room but appearing to float over the city skyline.

"In my opinion the enduring impact of this image is due to the way it expresses an concept about dwelling in Los Angeles, an duality about being both metropolitan and removed from it," commented a principal of an architectural practice and educator at a major university.

Protected Recognition

The home has made historic appearances in film, television and music videos, including several popular titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

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

Coming Ownership

The home continues to be open for public viewings, as it has been for the last 17 years, although all slots are currently sold out through February. In their statement announcing the sale, the family stated they would give "plenty of advance notice" before stopping the tours.

The property description for the home highlights finding a buyer who will conserve the essence of the space.

"For enthusiasts of design, advocates of design, or entities seeking to protect an iconic work, there is simply nothing comparable," the description state. "This is not merely a sale; it is a handover of custody – a search for the next steward who will honor the house’s past, respect its design integrity, and secure its protection for posterity."

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

"I believe any time a long-term steward, and a guardianship like this, is changing ownership of a residence like this, it always causes a little bit of a hesitation – because you never know what the next owner, what their aims will be. And do they understand and value the house, as in this unique case the Stahl family has?"