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The famous Stahl house, a epitome of mid-century modern architecture, is up for sale for the first time in its whole history.

This suspended dwelling, perched in the Hollywood Hills, was listed on the listings this recent week. The price tag stands at a substantial $25 million.

Owners Decision to Part With

The Stahl family, who have owned the residence for its full 65-year history, released a declaration regarding their choice to sell. They stated that the property had proven too difficult to maintain.

"This home has been the core of our lives for decades, but as we’ve grown older, it has become increasingly challenging to care for it with the attention and energy it so richly deserves," commented the descendants of the first owners.

They continued that the period had emerged to find a new "custodian" for the house – "a person who not only values its architectural significance but also understands its position in the cultural history of Los Angeles and elsewhere."

Modest Beginnings

The beginnings of the Stahl house trace back to May 1954, when the original owners acquired a hilly plot of land in the previously undeveloped Hollywood Hills neighborhood for $13,500.

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

Construction Challenge

The original design for the Stahl house was developed during the summer months of 1956. However, many builders were originally hesitant to erect it on the difficult hillside.

In November 1957, the owners consulted architect Pierre Koenig, who agreed to undertake the challenge. With support from the influential Case Study program, pioneered by a key magazine editor, the Stahls received financial aid to engage Koenig.

The contemporary program "was about experimentation" and "using new materials and erecting in sites that maybe previously the technology didn’t really enable," commented an specialist from a city heritage organization. "All these elements are combined into a place like the Stahl house, which was innovative, progressive and unthinkable in terms of how it was constructed on that location that everyone else considered, at the time, was unbuildable."

Finalization and Famous Legacy

The Stahl house became Case Study house No. 22, and construction commenced in May 1959. According to the residents, construction totaled "only $37,500" and the home was move-in ready by May 1960. The outcome was "the ultimate vision of what everyone envisions LA is and should be," the specialist commented.

Soon after completion, a famous architectural photographer shot what is arguably the most well-known image of the home. Shot through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the image depicts two women sitting in the home’s living room but appearing to levitate over the Los Angeles skyline.

"I think the long-standing effect of that image is due to the way it conveys an concept about dwelling in Los Angeles, an contrast about being both in the city and separate from it," commented a principal of an architectural firm and lecturer at a prominent university.

Protected Designation

The home has made historic cameos in film, television and promos, including several famous titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 1999, the city recognized the Stahl house a protected monument, 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 slots are currently sold out through February. In their release announcing the sale, the family indicated they would give "ample notice" before discontinuing the tours.

The sales details for the home emphasizes finding a buyer who will preserve the character of the space.

"For connoisseurs of style, advocates of design, or entities seeking to protect an American masterpiece, there is simply no equal," the listing state. "This goes beyond a purchase; it is a transfer of stewardship – a search for the next custodian who will respect the house’s history, respect its architectural purity, and ensure its conservation for generations to come."

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

"I think any time a long-term steward, and a guardianship like this, is transferring hands of a residence like this, it always creates a little bit of a pause – because you never know what the next owner, what their plans will be. And do they comprehend and cherish the house, as in this specific case the Stahl family has?"