This past August, Architectural Digest (AD) brought the family behind The Stahl House (Case Study House #22) to the forefront, exploring what it felt like to grow up in what would become one of the most defining examples of mid-century architecture and visual culture. The home, owned by the Stahl family for the last six decades, is now on the market for the first time, with the Stahl siblings not just seeking a buyer, but a steward.
“The residence is a work of art built to be lived in; and it has been, for decades. The next owner inherits both,” said William Baker, representing agent and Architectural Director at The Agency, who specializes in historic and architecturally significant homes across Southern California.
Bruce Stahl and Shari (Stahl) Gronwald sat down with AD at their childhood home this past summer. The two shared memories and photos of growing up in the Pierre Koenig-designed icon, and how their father saw the potential in a “runty” lot perched on a cliff overlooking Los Angeles—purchased in 1954 with a $13,500 loan and a handshake. Posted to Instagram and YouTube on August 19, 2026, the poignant video garnered an unprecedented 2 million views on YouTube in just three weeks. As of October 12, views had increased to 2.5M, a feat that reflects a tremendous interest in the nostalgia and storied allure of the home as well as a renewed engagement in Case Study Architecture.
Of the 1,368 comments on the YouTube video, most expressed appreciation for highlighting the fascinating backstory of such a well-known home, and many shared their own connections to it, from impactful tour viewings to personal anecdotes with the family. The response is a testament to the home’s staying power. Its origins are just as compelling as its continued lore.
While the home was ultimately designed by Pierre Koenig, the inspiration came from a model created by Clarence (Buck) Henry Stahl in 1956, one year before he even met the revered modernist architect, who was then still relatively unknown. But it was Koenig who knew the home needed to be built of steel to withstand the test of time. Despite the city’s attempts to foil the plan for the now iconic floating corner, Koenig pressed forward with the design, soon to be made infamous by Julius Shulman’s 1960 photograph—and later recognized by Time Magazine as one of the most influential images in the publication’s 200-year history. Ever since, the home has remained a steadfast focal point of pop culture, appearing in films, shows, music videos, and fashion shoots.
Inside, much of the house has been carefully preserved, maintaining original details like the striking stone hearth, custom velvet-lined jewelry shelves, and sliding sun shades in the kitchen. Modern amenities have been intentionally added over time by the Stahls, all undertaken in accordance with the property’s architectural significance and applicable preservation guidelines.
Floor-to-ceiling walls of glass, the most striking and recognizable aspect of the home, frame 270-degree panoramic views and reinforce the sensation that Case Study House #22 is suspended above the city. Elemental, awe-inspiring, and nostalgic, this 2,200-square-foot home offers a combination of historic significance and modern comfort—all with unparalleled style.
For collectors of design, patrons of architecture, or institutions seeking to safeguard an American masterpiece, there is simply nothing comparable. A City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home carries its Mills Act designation and an unbroken chain of family stewardship since 1960. In a city filled with remarkable homes, “there is only one Stahl House,” adds Baker. For the right buyer, this is a legacy to carry forward.
Interested in The Stahl House? Reach out to The Agency’s William Baker for more information, and watch the full Architectural Digest interview with Bruce Stahl and Shari Gronwald above to hear the continued story behind the icon.
Imagery credits:
Listing Photography Credit: Cameron Carothers/Carothers Photo
Stahl House Archives
Original Photography Credit: Julius Shulman, courtesy of The Getty Museum
Video and Interview: Architectural Digest, Aug 19, 2026.
Additional credits:
© J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10), Julius Shulman Photographs
© J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2006.m.30), Pierre Koenig Papers and Drawings, Stahl House, Case Study House #22, Stahl Residence
© J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2006.m.30), Pierre Koenig Papers and Drawings, Bethlehem Steel
Jilbert Daniel
VisualMediaLA.com
