Hello Hollyhock
Cultural Affairs and Councilman Mitch O’Farrell teamed up to reopen the City’s famed Hollyhock House, a masterpiece designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The house reopened Aug. 18 after being closed to the public during the pandemic.
Located in East Hollywood, Hollyhock House is the first and only United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage site in Los Angeles. The reopening aligns with the site’s centennial anniversary.
“After a two-year closure due to the pandemic, this morning I was proud to join the Cultural Affairs and community members to welcome Angelenos back to this architectural masterpiece — Los Angeles’ first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site,” O’Farrell Tweeted Aug. 19.
“Cultural Affairs is thrilled to reopen our City’s one and only UNESCO World Heritage site,” said DCA Interim General Manager Daniel Tarica. “Visitors will once again be able to appreciate this historic site in-person, including expanded access through our self-guided tour program. Through the pandemic closure, staff have undertaken critical restoration projects and enhanced interpretation of the site. Visitors will now see these significant transformations at Hollyhock House and Residence A.”
Throughout the pandemic closure, the City made significant restorations at Hollyhock House and Residence A, a Wright-designed guest house in Barnsdall Park. Transformative exterior and structural restoration work on Residence A was completed in December 2021, and restoration of the interior and landscape are now underway.
“A harbinger of California modernism, Hollyhock House continues to inspire artists, architects and the public at large,” Hollyhock House curator Abbey Chamberlain Brach said. “We’re eager to welcome visitors back inside Hollyhock House to experience firsthand Wright’s dramatic expression of California, which feels as modern now as it did upon its completion 100 years ago.”
Built between 1919 and 1921, Hollyhock House was Wright’s first Los Angeles commission and an ode to California’s freedom and natural beauty. Designed for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall, she donated the house and property to the City in 1927 as the centerpiece of a 36-acre arts complex.
Hollyhock House was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2019 along with seven other Wright sites throughout the United States.
For self-guided tour reservations, go to: hollyhockhouse.org
