Every big city with a history of art has its share of famous residences just like the Ennis House, but I doubt any modern city can boast the sprawling celebrity homes that Los Angeles offers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the invention of motion pictures, the glamorous movie stars have had to live somewhere, and their homes have been pointed out by tour guides for decades. But some of these houses aren\u2019t famous because of the celebrity who lives there \u2014 some homes are celebrities all by themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Case in point is this century-old member of the National Register of Historic Places: the Ennis House. As a local guide here in LA, I\u2019ve visited the Ennis House many times. There\u2019s a lot to discover about its history, architecture, TV appearances, and more. If you\u2019re curious about the Ennis House, how to visit, and why it\u2019s so important, keep reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you think you\u2019ve never seen the Ennis House, think again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you ever seen \u201cBlade Runner,\u201d \u201cBuffy the Vampire Slayer,\u201d \u201cThe Karate Kid Part III,\u201d or \u201cRush Hour\u201d? If the answer is yes, then you\u2019ve seen the Ennis House, or at least parts of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve seen \u201cThe Rocketeer\u201d and some episodes of \u201cStar Trek: The Next Generation,\u201d you\u2019ve seen recreations of this unique home built on Hollywood sound stages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 6,500 square feet, and built with a staggering 27,000 patterned granite blocks, one look at the Ennis House is enough to inspire visions of sci-fi adventure or vampires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the mansion served as inspiration for a number of movie directors and set designers, however, it was originally designed by none other than world-famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ennis House\u2019s history is as complicated as some of its fantasy residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1923, Charles and Mabel Ennis commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design their home. Construction began in 1924. This was around the same time that Grauman\u2019s Chinese Theatre<\/a> and the Egyptian Theatre were built in Hollywood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n