Frank Lloyd Wright House Threatened By Mudslides

A view of the pool at Los Angeles' Ennis-Brown house, a Frank Lloyd Wright design that is threatened by winter rains.

A Frank Lloyd Wright landmark, the Ennis-Brown House is at risk of falling prey to the catastrophic mudslides that have swept trees and homes from hillsides around Los Angeles.

The striking, concrete-block hilltop structure had been red-tagged, or declared off-limits to people. By March 1 the status was downgraded to yellow-tag, a less-serious danger level.

Rain from strong storms has left much of Southern California drenched with water and vulnerable to mudslides. Geologists say that even if the heavy rains cease, the region could remain in danger of a massive soil shift for months.

City officials pronounced the house in danger after observing a partially crumbled wall on Feb. 26. It has since been upgraded to cautionary status, but the house remains at risk. The 1924 structure, perched dramatically on a hillside, has been in several films, from The House on Haunted Hill to Blade Runner and Black Rain.

The Ennis-Brown House, run by the non-profit Trust for Preservation of Cultural Heritage since 1980, is in need of renovations that would cost more than $12 million, according to the trust.

The house was built for Mabel and Charles Ennis in 1924, and after changing hands many times, it was purchased by Augustus O. Brown and Marcia Brown (deceased) in 1968. Efforts to restore and maintain the house throughout the years have been very rewarding.

In 1980, Brown donated the house to the Trust for Preservation of Cultural Heritage, a non-profit organization led by professionals and individuals active in historic preservation. In consideration of the gift, the house was renamed the Ennis-Brown House.

The Trust continues to perform rehabilitation work as required and has secured the services of Eric Lloyd Wright to serve as its primary architect. It is anticipated that all needed preservation efforts will require upwards of $12 million dollars. Every effort is being made to raise these needed funds and the Trust welcomes all who are interested in participating.

More information: https://www.ennisbrownhouse.org