Sitting in the Hollywood Hills, the Stahl House has breathtaking views overlooking Sunset Boulevard and the entire west side of Los Angeles. Designed by Pierre Koenig, it is one of the most well-known Modern homes in a city whose explosive post-World War II growth coincided with the Modern architectural style. As one of the Case Study homes, Case Study #22, the Stahl House is well documented. Perhaps another aspect of good fortune is that the home has always been owned by members of the Stahl family – until it was listed on the market for $25,000,000 in November 2025.
My first encounter with the house was not through the famous black-and-white Julius Shulman photographs, but through television. I have always been fond of the original Columbo series and yes – the Stahl House was featured in the 1968 TV movie that would serve as the pilot for the series. The house was featured for its sleek design, windows overlooking the city, and its pool suspended in the air, all of which were just as much a part of the story as if the house were cast as a special guest star.
As one of the Case Study homes, the Stahl House was designed to be affordable and functional, and while it is not a mansion, it became an icon of Southern California living. Perhaps it is the spectacular views of Los Angeles, the story of Buck and Carlotta Stahl’s determination to build on that site, or how well its original design has been maintained. When its sale appeared on a news feed, I was in disbelief as the Stahl family had continued to maintain the property, even providing limited tours.
News of the house ‘hitting the market’ spread rapidly – from all the Los Angeles news channels to architecture and history platforms. What will happen to one of the most famous buildings in all of Los Angeles? The house was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (LAHCM No. 670) and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013 (NRHP 13000519) and has Mills Act designation, which provides property tax reduction. The Stahl family seeks a buyer who will “honor the house’s history, respect its architectural purity, and ensure its preservation for generations to come.”
Additional Sites to Visit:
National Register Documentation
The Stahl Family site addressing the house
STUNNING Images on the MLS.com sales site. You might need to add the house address to find the listing.