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<p>Many of us dream of residing in a home as iconic as those depicted in the film <em>Blade Runner</em>, but only a select few would invest the staggering $23 million price tag that comes with such an experience, as highlighted in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t87mgS8HUKQ">a 2019 <em>Architectural Digest</em> video featuring Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1924 Ennis House</a>. Beyond its revered association with Wright and its cinematic fame in <em>Blade Runner</em>, the Ennis House boasts an extensive filmography. Its early screen debut dates back to nine years after its construction, starring as the lavish mansion in Michael Curtiz’s film <em>Female</em>.</p>
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<p>Throughout the years, this architectural marvel has lent its captivating presence to the backdrop of various films, predominantly within the genre realm. Think titles like <em>The House on Haunted Hill</em>, <em>The Day of the Locust</em>, <em>The Replacement Killers</em>, and <em>Rush Hour</em>. In Thom Andersen’s documentary, <em>Los Angeles Plays Itself</em>, it’s noted that the Ennis House seemingly defies spatial and temporal boundaries: “It could be placed in Washington or Osaka, portrayed as an ancient villa, a 19th-century haunted house, a modern mansion, a 21st-century apartment complex, or even a 26th-century science lab where Klaus Kinski invents time travel.”</p>
<p>This remarkable structure quickly became synonymous with the opulent abodes of B-movie villains flaunting their sinister charm. Its role in <em>Blade Runner</em> is particularly striking, rejuvenating the film with the authenticity of Los Angeles locations, depicting it as Deckard’s towering place of residence. Even within the confines of his apartment set, the design mirrored the Mayan-inspired tiles that adorn the house’s legendary concrete-block exterior. Real rooms from the Ennis House have not only graced the silver screen but have also become a staple in television programming, including fictional TV dramas like <em>Twin Peaks</em>’ <em>Invitation to Love</em>.</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1120145 native-lazyload-js-fallback" alt="" width="640" height="480" loading="lazy" src="https://cdn8.openculture.com/2024/10/14211351/twin-peaks-and-blade-runner-tiles-v0-pbnl5fjsdn2d1.webp" srcset="https://cdn8.openculture.com/2024/10/14211351/twin-peaks-and-blade-runner-tiles-v0-pbnl5fjsdn2d1.webp 640w, https://cdn8.openculture.com/2024/10/14211351/twin-peaks-and-blade-runner-tiles-v0-pbnl5fjsdn2d1-360x270.webp 360w, https://cdn8.openculture.com/2024/10/14211351/twin-peaks-and-blade-runner-tiles-v0-pbnl5fjsdn2d1-240x180.webp 240w" data-sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></p>
<p>The Ennis House stands as the last of Wright’s ventures in the Mayan Revival style, marking the conclusion of his Southern California endeavors. Wright himself admitted that it surpassed practical scales, noting, “That's what happens, you know, as momentum builds, you often step beyond boundaries. I think the Ennis House was one such example for a concrete-block residence.” Characteristic of Wright’s designs, it often looked better on film than in real life; even after a significant renovation effort, it was ultimately <a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2019-10-25/frank-lloyd-wrights-iconic-ennis-house-sells-for-18-million">sold for $5 million less than its asking price</a>. Despite my admiration for <em>Blade Runner</em>, $18 million is still more than I’d pay for a location 40 minutes from the subway.</p>
<p><strong>Related content:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="#">That Far Corner: Frank Lloyd Wright in Los Angeles</a> – A Free Online Documentary</li>
<li><a href="#">A Beautiful Visual Tour of Tirranna, One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Remarkable, Final Creations</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Inside the Beautiful Home Frank Lloyd Wright Designed for His Son (1952)</a></li>
<li><a href="#">When Frank Lloyd Wright Designed a Doghouse, His Smallest Architectural Creation (1956)</a></li>
<li><a href="#">What Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unusual Windows Tell Us About His Architectural Genius</a></li>
<li><a href="#">12 Famous Frank Lloyd Wright Houses Offer Virtual Tours: Hollyhock House, Taliesin West, Fallingwater & More</a></li>
</ul>
<p><em>Based in Seoul,</em> <em><a href="http://blog.colinmarshall.org/">Colin Marshall</a></em> <em>writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter</em> <a href="https://colinmarshall.substack.com/">Books on Cities</a> <em>and the book</em> <strong>The Stateless City: A Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles.</strong> <em>Follow him on Twitter at</em> <a href="https://twitter.com/#!colinmarshall">@colinmarshall</a> <em>or on</em> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/colinmarshallessayist">Facebook</a>.
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