Hollyhock House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for millionaire Aline Barnsdall in the early 20s. She bought a thirty six acre plot in West Hollywood, with a hill on it, for $300,000 dollars during the first world war, and decided, as one does, to turn it into an arts complex, with cinema, theatre, artists' studios., as well as a home for her and her daughter, Sugartop. Nearly 100 years later it has a thriving community arts centre, an outdoor theatre, an art museum (with very dubious art in it) and, of course, the amazing Hollyhock House.

Ironically, the millionairess hated the house when it was completed and did everything she could to get rid of it. The flat roofs leaked, she found the house too big and her bedroom impossible to put a bed in. In 1927 she gave it to the City of Los Angeles who used it as a theatrical centre, then a veterans club, toyed with pulling it down and finally put loads of money into restoring it to its former glory.

Frank LLoyd Wright and his son were both asked to work on its evolution over the years. Apparantly Frank and Aline Barnsdall both retained a healthy respect for each other, working together on other projects - and also suing each other fairly regularly.

It is a wonderful house. I would hate to live in it. Interestingly, it's construction was overseen by Schindler, who's house I could definitely imagine happily living in!