The city of Los Angeles is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and in an ironic twist, it’s a Hollywood home that almost met the wrecking ball in the 1940s.
What Is Hollyhock House?
Hollyhock House, built between 1918 and 1921 on a hill in East Hollywood, is one of eight Frank Lloyd Wright buildings that collectively attained the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and marks the first designation for modern architecture in the United States. (The seven other lauded Wright buildings include the Guggenheim in New York City; Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona; and Fallingwater in Stewart Township, Pennsylvania.)
When Hollyhock House received its UNESCO designation in 2019, it was hailed as a landmark event. "It’s a phenomenal moment for L.A.," said Danielle Brazell, then head of cultural affairs for the city of Los Angeles, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "We now have a World Heritage Site in the heart of our city. It’s the highest international recognition, affirming that Hollyhock House holds universal value. There is no greater honor for a cultural site in the world."
Hollyhock House History
Like many Wright creations, the Mayan-influenced Hollyhock has its own colorful backstory. It was commissioned by an oil heiress who was partial to hollyhock flowers; after clashing with the notoriously mercurial Wright, she fired him and ultimately never even lived there. When the house fell into disrepair, the city intervened, did extensive work on the property, and ultimately made it a public attraction in the 1970s.
Hollyhock House Tours
Today, you can explore Hollyhock House and the grounds of Barnsdall Art Park (which features live hollyhocks) via a self-guided tour for $12; guidebooks are available for onsite use, and docents are on site to provide insight and answer questions.
Inside the house, visitors can view restored interiors, including Wright-designed built-ins, geometric motifs, and the central living room organized around a hearth. The surrounding park offers city views, landscaped lawns, and additional cultural spaces such as the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.
The self-guided format allows visitors to move at their own pace through the home’s key rooms and terraces, with interpretive materials highlighting architectural details, design influences, and the house’s restoration. Timed entry is typically used to manage capacity, and advance reservations are recommended.
The 20-minute exterior tours ($24, 15-person limit) are led by a docent and explore the extensive surrounding gardens; they begin at the Visitors Center, located across from the entrance to Hollyhock House, and conclude at the entrance of the house.