11 Most Endangered
Ennis-Brown House
Year Listed: 2005
Location: California
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Deterioration, Natural Forces
The grandest of Frank Lloyd Wright's "textile block" houses, the 1924 Ennis House combined the famed architect's longstanding interest in the sculptural qualities of concrete and his quest to design innovative buildings. Built of concrete blocks that incorporate material excavated at the building site, the house truly blends with its setting-but its unique design is so eye-catching that it has served as a backdrop for many fashion shoots and films, including 1974's Day of the Locust and 1982's Blade Runner. But time has not been kind to the landmark. A previous owner applied a sealant to the walls, trapping water inside that has rusted steel reinforcing bars and caused the blocks to crack and spall. In 1994, the Northridge earthquake led to the partial collapse of the south retaining wall, the chauffeur's quarters and the structural support for the dining room. Record rains in 2004 caused additional damage. Estimates of stabilization costs run as high as $5 million, and full restoration costs are well over $15 million. Today, the unsafe site is off-limits to visitors-and unless repairs are undertaken soon, this great house will be visible only on magazine pages and movie screens.
Update
The National Trust, in partnership with the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, and the Trust for Preservation of Cultural Heritage, created the Ennis House Foundation in 2005 to raise the millions of dollars needed to stabilize and preserve the house. A $6.5 million project to stabilize the southern retaining wall, secure the foundation of the property, and reproduce missing concrete blocks is scheduled to be completed in June 2007. The Ennis House Foundation still needs an estimated $10 million funds for a full restoration.
