In the heart of Hollywood's Barnsdall Park, Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House will officially reopen on February 13, as recently announced by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell, and the Barnsdall Park Art Foundation. This isn't the first time the iconic house has been restored, but the latest renovation focused on bringing back the house, and all its decorative details, to its original early 20th century state. The conservation effort took place from 2008 to 2014 and cost $4,359,000.
The Hollyhock House was Frank Lloyd Wright's first residence in Los Angeles. Pennsylvanian oil heiress and arts enthusiast Aline Barnsdall commissioned Wright to build the house -- which was named after her favorite flower -- as her own venue for producing avant-garde plays. It later became a performing arts complex including Barnsdall's private residence. Construction began in 1919 but came to a halt in 1921 when Barnsdall fired Wright, primarily due to costs.
Nonetheless, the house continued to serve different functions. In 1927, it was used as the California Art Club headquarters for 15 years, then the City of L.A. restored it into a public museum in 1974-76. In 1963, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission designated the Hollyhock House as a historic cultural monument. After being listed as a National Historic Landmark in 2007, the Hollyhock House is currently on a tentative nomination roster for the UNESCO World Heritage List.
For 24 hours only, visitors can go on self-guided tours at the Hollyhock House starting at 4 p.m. on February 13 until 4 p.m. on February 14. After February 13, the Hollyhock House will feature self-guided “Walk Wright In” tours on Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a fee of $7 for adults, $3 for students and seniors with ID, and $3 for children under 12.
For more, visit barnsdall.org.
Related: Norm's Coffee Shop, an LA Googie icon, is temporarily saved from demolition
5 Comments
correction. FLW first SoCal residence was the craftsman school look-alike George C. Stewart House in Santa Barbara (1909). Hollyhock was first in Los Angeles.
I remember as an architecture student breaking into the Hoillyhock. Easy then. not now of course. Back then it was pretty much abandoned. The inner courtyard was neat and private. An outer semi-circle theater was never used really. A Socal 'acropolis for the art's that never quiet made it. Barndall wouldnt even live in it and preferrred another reisdence on the site to live in.
A much later municipal art center and theater on the site realized Barndall vision.
Updated. Thanks for pointing that out, Eric.
These photos are beautiful.
^ agree 100%.
this is one of flw houses that I was dissapointed with in person. Something about it just didnt do it fo me. Looks great in these pics though.
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