Lloyd Wright's Sowden House

Wrightgeek · Post by **Wrightgeek** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:38 pm

I was wondering how many other forum members saw the episode of "48 Hours" broadcast last night on CBS. The subject of the episode was the infamous and unsolved "Black Dahlia" murder in Los Angeles in the late 40's.

Playing a starring role in this episode was Lloyd Wright's spectacular Sowdwen House from 1926. Much of the filming for the episode was done within the Sowden House, because a previous owner of the house (not the original client) is considered to be one of the prime suspects in the case, and many "knowledgeable" people feel that the actual murder may have taken place in a "secret room" within the house, though the victim's body was discovered at another LA location.

There were many fantastic interior shots of the house, as well as some recollections of the owner's children about what it was like to grow up in the house. Last time I checked, several months ago, the house was on the market for 3-4 million dollars. Does anyone out there know if it is still for sale?

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:07 pm

The house, which underwent extensive restoration plus the addition of a swimming pool in the courtyard, was on the market recently for $5M, as I recall. It has sold. The "secret room" referred to is a long, narrow windowless space on the upper floor adjacent to the library. Last year the Leadership Circle had an event there. I had intended to go, but did not make it. The last time I saw it was years ago before the restoration when it was in so-so condition. It is a truly spectacular house, known locally as "Jaws" for obvious reasons.

Deke · Post by **Deke** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:47 pm

The house was also used as Howard Hughes home in "The Aviator" though I'm not sure he ever actually lived there.

SpringGreen · Post by **SpringGreen** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:57 am

I saw a tv program about the Black Dahlia murders and the Sowden house last year/year & a 1/2 ago. Maybe it was the same program, I don't remember. It was a shock, sitting there just surfing and not planning to think about anything FLLW related, pausing on the program and getting a weird deja vu. "I've seen that fireplace before...." I had to check my Lloyd Wright book (the one by Alan Weintraub). So of course, I'm watching a program about this murder, but I'm really just staring at the backgrounds. I couldn't help thinking, though, "Oh, no--people are going to mistake Lloyd Wright for FLLW [a common problem with, say, the Wayfarer's Chapel], and they'll start asking us about that murder." Fortunately it didn't happen.

aquaman811 · Post by **aquaman811** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:58 am

This house was also featured in the TV show, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" 1st episode, one of the studio execs through a party there. House looks fabulous!

Wrightgeek · Post by **Wrightgeek** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:45 am

I haven't seen the "Studio 60" show, but you can also see the Sowden house featured in a currently running commercial for American Express.

In the ad, Ellen Degenaris (spelling?) is sitting in the house in a yoga pose while mulling over the purchase of a pair of socks she recently made with her card.

JimM · Post by **JimM** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:26 pm

Unfortunately the house was remodeled, not restored. I saw a show about it on one of those design shows. It was horrid, and I was shocked at the cavalier approach to what amounted to restoration by interior designer.

This is possibly Wright's most important work, other than the Wayfarer's, and deserved a proper historical restoration.