Culture

Ennis House by Frank Lloyd Wright for Sale in Los Angeles

by Amy Judd | June 19, 2009 at 11:49 am

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The world famous Ennis House by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles is up for sale with a $15 million price tag.

The house sits on top a hill and has endured battles with man and Mother Nature to retain its original glory. Eric Lloyd Wright, Frank's grandson and member of the nonprofit Ennis House Foundation's board says that private ownership would be the best way to save the house.

"My grandfather designed homes to be occupied by people," he said in a statement to The Times. "His homes are works of art. He created the space, but the space becomes a creative force and uplifts when it is lived in every day."

The house was built in 1924 for Charles and Mabel Ennis, who owned a men's clothing store, and was actually the last and biggest of the four homes that Wright built in a 'textile block' style.

Mable Ennis sold the house in 1936 and it has had multiple owners since then.

However, it has had to endure years of neglect and was heavily damaged by rain and the 1994 Northridge earthquake. More rain caused the retaining wall to collapse in 2005 and blocks from the house went tumbling down the hill.

The new owner would face bills of $5 million to $7 million to fully restore the house. $6.5 million has already been invested.

The Maya-inspired estate, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been featured in films including "House on Haunted Hill," "Grand Canyon" and the futuristic "Blade Runner."

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