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The famous Stahl house, a quintessential example of mid-century modern architecture, is up for sale for the initial occasion in its entire history.

This overhanging residence, situated in the Hollywood Hills, appeared on the real estate market this recent week. The asking price stands at a substantial $25 million.

Family Move to Let Go

The Stahl family, who have owned the property for its entire 65-year existence, released a statement regarding their resolution to sell. They expressed that the dwelling had become excessively demanding to maintain.

"This residence has been the heart of our lives for decades, but as we’ve grown older, it has become increasingly challenging to look after it with the attention and energy it so richly deserves," commented the descendants of the original owners.

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

Humble Origins

The origins of the Stahl house date to May 1954, when the original owners bought a mountainous plot of land in the then undeveloped Hollywood Hills district for $13,500.

Despite the Stahl house evolving into a well-known icon of the city, the owners often emphasized that "nobody famous ever lived here," describing themselves as a "average family living in a luxury house."

Architectural Undertaking

The original design for the Stahl house was developed during the warm season of 1956. However, many builders were at first reluctant to construct it on the challenging hillside.

In November 1957, the owners met with architect Pierre Koenig, who consented to undertake the challenge. With backing from the notable Case Study program, pioneered by a key magazine editor, the Stahls received subsidies to hire Koenig.

The progressive program "centered around experimentation" and "employing new materials and building in sites that maybe earlier the techniques didn’t really permit," remarked an specialist from a regional heritage organization. "Each of these factors are wrapped up into a site like the Stahl house, which was cutting-edge, progressive and unthinkable in terms of how it was constructed on that location that everyone else believed, at the time, was not feasible."

Realization and Iconic Legacy

The Stahl house was designated Case Study house No. 22, and building commenced in May 1959. According to the residents, construction cost "only $37,500" and the home was move-in ready by May 1960. The outcome was "an idealized version of what everyone envisions LA is and should be," the authority added.

Soon after construction was finished, a famous architectural photographer shot what is arguably the most famous image of the home. Shot through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the image depicts two women seated in the home’s living room but looking to hover over the city skyline.

"I believe the lasting effect of the photo is due to the way it expresses an concept about living in Los Angeles, an contrast about being both urban and separate from it," stated a founder of an architectural practice and educator at a major university.

Historic Status

The home has had historic cameos in cinema, broadcast and videos, including several popular 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 protected property on the National Register of Historic Places.

Next Ownership

The home is still open for visits, as it has been for the last 17 years, although all appointments are currently reserved through February. In their release concerning the sale, the family said they would give "ample notice" before ending the tours.

The listing for the home emphasizes finding a purchaser who will maintain the spirit of the space.

"For collectors of design, supporters of building, or entities seeking to protect an national treasure, there is simply nothing comparable," the listing read. "This is more than a purchase; it is a transfer of stewardship – a search for the next custodian who will honor the house’s legacy, value its design integrity, and secure its preservation for posterity."

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

"I think any time a original family, and a custodianship like this, is being sold of a home like this, it always gives us a little bit of a concern – because you never know what the next owner, what their aims will be. And do they understand and cherish the house, as in this particular case the Stahl family has?"