Los Angeles has by no means been shy about extra—however a few of its houses take issues well beyond luxurious and straight into the weird.
From a “Jaws”-like mansion tied to homicide lore to a flying saucer dwelling perched on a single pole, these architectural oddities aren’t simply eye sweet.
These are the properties that make even jaded Angelenos do a double take—and the unusual tales hiding behind their partitions.
John Sowden Home
Positioned within the coronary heart of the stylish east aspect Los Feliz neighborhood, the John Sowden Home is a Mayan revival fortress that’s not possible to overlook.
In-built 1926 and designed by Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright’s son), it’s nicknamed the “Jaws Home” as a result of it encompasses a jagged concrete facade that resembles a large, gaping mouth that appears prefer it would possibly chunk you.
The home’s historical past is darker than its windowless exterior, although. Within the 1940’s it was owned by Dr. George Hodel, a major suspect within the notorious Black Dahlia homicide.
Nothing was ever been confirmed in court docket, however Hodel’s personal son, murder detective, later claimed his father dedicated the ugly homicide of Elizabeth Quick proper within the basement of the long-lasting home.
Inside, the home solely provides to the mystique: a slim, cave-like entrance opens right into a hidden courtyard. It reportedly final traded fingers for $6.16 million in 2022.
The Spadena Home
Higher often called the Witch’s Home, that is straight out of a storybook, and fully misplaced in Beverly Hills.
With its deliberately lopsided roof, tiny home windows, and a moat full of lily pads, it appears to be like like a relic from the 1600’s—however it was truly constructed for a film studio 1921, and was relocated to North Walden Drive in 1934. Whereas it appears to be like derelict by design, it’s truly a meticulously maintained non-public residence.
The house virtually disappeared for good within the Nineties when it confronted demolition, however preservationists stepped in. As we speak, it’s one of the crucial photographed houses in LA, and a favourite Halloween pilgrimage spot.
Chemosphere
Perched on a single twenty-nine-foot excessive, five-foot-wide concrete column over a 45-degree slope within the Hollywood Hills, this octagonal marvel appears to be like prefer it landed from outer area.
Designed in 1960 by John Lautner, the Chemosphere was constructed on a near-impossible slope—so Lautner solved it by primarily placing the house on a pedestal.
It’s since change into considered one of LA’s most iconic modernist houses, serving because the inspiration for the home in Charlie’s Angels.
However its previous isn’t all that glamorous. A health care provider named Richard F. Kuhn lived there within the 1970’s, and was reportedly murdered in his bed room there in 1976 by Kuhn’s lover who was accompanied by an confederate.
Mosaic Tile Home
This Venice dwelling isn’t simply adorned—it’s fully consumed.
From the sidewalk, this virtually appears to be like like a standard Venice bungalow. Step contained in the gate, and your retinas would possibly explode.
Seemingly each sq. inch of the Mosaic Tile Home—from the kitchen sink to the lavatory wall—is roofed in a kaleidoscopic explosion of smashed tiles, glass, and pottery.
The Mosaic Tile Home has been remodeled over many years by artists Cheri Pann and Gonzalo Duran, who lined almost each floor in hand-laid mosaic tiles.
Fort Ivar
For those who spot turrets peaking via bushes in Hollywood, it’s Fort Ivar.
Constructed within the 1920’s, it’s a sprawling storybook fort full with a Jacuzzi on the roof and stone ramparts that appears prefer it belong extra in medieval Europe than a mile from Hollywood Boulevard.
Through the years, it’s attracted actors and creatives like Prince and Idris Elba, drawn to its moody, gothic vibe. The medieval-style fort is now a 6-bedroom rental that you could guide on Airbnb for just a little over $2,000 an evening.
