Ennis House, a landmark for sale

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House, a Los Feliz hilltop masterpiece composed of patterned and smooth concrete blocks built in 1924 is now for sale. This is the full press release published by “The Ennis House” website.

After serious consideration, the Ennis House Foundation has decided to place the Ennis House on the market for sale to a private owner. This decision stems primarily from the fact that the house needs more stewardship at this point than a small nonprofit can sustain.

The goal of the Foundation has always been to be a good steward of the Ennis House. Since its reorganization in 2005, the Foundation has worked to complete urgent stabilization and restoration work on the home in the aftermath of the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the 2004-2005 winter floods. Having met this critical priority, the Foundation’s board focused on analyzing longer-term needs and options for the house.

In 2008, the Foundation commissioned a study to evaluate potential approaches to the future preservation and stewardship of the Ennis House. The study confirmed that the Foundation would need to generate significant philanthropy to operate at a sustainable level for future years, given the house’s ongoing repair and restoration needs. Despite many conversations with potential funders, we haven’t found the resources required.

As a result, the Foundation determined that our best option is to find a private owner with the vision and resources to give this beloved Los Angeles landmark the level of care it needs and deserves.

We have listed the Ennis House with Hilton & Hyland and Dilbeck Realtors in Los Angeles, with international marketing services provided by Christie’s Great Estates. The house has a conservation easement to protect it from demolition or insensitive alteration, and to guide future restoration, preservation, and maintenance efforts.

The Foundation thanks everyone who has supported us in our work thus far, and we look forward to finding an excellent steward to ensure the long-term preservation and legacy of this architectural icon.