The Stahl House, known as Case Study House #22 and perched above Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, is still for sale nearly a year after its listing, following a $5 million reduction in price. The home, designed by Pierre Koenig and immortalized in Julius Shulman’s 1960 photograph, was first listed last November by the children of original owners Buck and Carlotta Stahl for $25 million. The asking price now stands at $20 million, but the search for a buyer continues.
The Stahl House is widely recognized as one of the most significant examples of midcentury modern architecture. The house was inducted into the Case Study House program by Arts & Architecture magazine in 1959 and completed in 1960. In 1999, it was declared a Historic-Cultural Monument by the City of Los Angeles and was later added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The decision to sell the property came after six decades of family ownership. Bruce and Shari Stahl, the children of Buck and Carlotta, wrote, “This home has been the center of our lives for decades, but as we’ve gotten older, it has become increasingly challenging to care for it with the attention and energy it so richly deserves.” The family described the sale as “heartfelt and very difficult,” emphasizing the importance of finding a new owner who will “honor the legacy of our parents, Buck and Carlotta, respect Pierre Koenig’s vision, and be committed to protecting the house today and far into the future.”
The house itself is modest in size, with two bedrooms and approximately 2,200 square feet of living space. Its historical designations restrict alterations or expansions, a factor that real estate agent Mike Deasy said can make ownership more complex. Deasy told the Los Angeles Times that putting a value on a property with such recognition isn’t straightforward.
Maintenance of the Stahl House has required ongoing attention, with tours supporting both restoration and upkeep for the past 17 years. The family has welcomed visitors from around the world, sharing stories and the experience of the home. The family said the tour program will continue as it has for now, and that they will let people know in advance if there are any changes.
The story of the Stahl House began in May 1954, when Buck and Carlotta Stahl bought a small lot above Sunset Boulevard. Over the next two years, they spent weekends building the concrete wall that defines the buildable area of the property. In the summer of 1956, Buck Stahl made a model of the house, which was used to hire Pierre Koenig as the architect in November 1957. The house was added to the Case Study House program in April 1959, and construction started the following month, finishing in May 1960. On May 9, 1960, Julius Shulman took the photograph that would become closely associated with modern architecture in Los Angeles.
The house has been recognized by several organizations and publications. In 2007, the American Institute of Architects included the Stahl House on its list of 150 favorite structures in the country, one of only 11 in Southern California. In 2008, a survey by the Los Angeles Times placed the house among the top ten houses in the city. The Stahl House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
The property has also played a role in popular culture, appearing in fashion campaigns, films, and television. The family has published a book, The Stahl House: Case Study House #22, The Making of a Modernist Icon, which includes personal stories, blueprints, and photographs documenting the house’s history and design. The magazine has also looked at other modernist homes on the market in California.
For those interested in exploring the opportunity to purchase the Stahl House, inquiries are directed to agent William Baker.
Sources
- Stahl House: stahlhouse, April 30, 2015
- Wallpaper: The Stahl House: one of LA’s most famous midcentury homes: still hasn’t found a buyer, October 12, 2026
