The Stahl House, widely regarded as the most famous residential property in Los Angeles, is on the market for the first time in its 65-year history. The mid-century modern masterpiece, perched in the Hollywood Hills, has an asking price of $25 million.

Completed in 1960, the two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home spans 2,200 square feet and is constructed from steel, glass, and concrete. Its cantilevered design appears to hover over the city’s glittering skyline.

The asking price equates to $11,364 per square foot. If achieved, this figure would significantly surpass the usual rate for ultra-luxury properties in L.A., which typically range between $2,000 and $6,000+ per square foot. However, the home’s unique architectural and cultural status is argued to exempt it from standard real estate valuation rules.

The Stahl family, the sole owners since its inception, confirmed the decision to sell. Bruce and Shari Stahl, the children of the original owners, released a statement: “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.”

They are seeking a new “custodian who will honor the house’s history, respect its architectural purity, and ensure its preservation for generations to come.” The listing, managed by William Baker of the Agency, stresses the need for a buyer who understands its place in the cultural landscape.

The house’s origins trace back to May 1954 when CH “Buck” and Carlotta Stahl bought the steep, then-undeveloped plot for $13,500. Buck, a graphic designer, often described his family as “a blue-collar family living in a white-collar house.”

Architect Pierre Koenig agreed to undertake the task in 1957. Construction began in May 1959, with costs totalling “a mere $37,500.” The home became Case Study House No 22, a project focused on using new materials and challenging building sites. Adrian Scott Fine, president of the Los Angeles Conservancy, called the home “an idealized version of what everyone thinks LA is and should be.”

The home was immortalised by photographer Julius Shulman’s famous image. The photo, featuring two women seemingly floating over the city, conveyed “an idea about living in Los Angeles, an ambivalence about being both in the city and removed from it,” according to Kevin Daly, founder of Kevin Daly Architects. The house was declared a Historic-Cultural Landmark in 1999.

Tours of the home have continued for 17 years and are currently sold out through February. The family will give notice before discontinuing them.