Sowden House

LA CONFIDENTIAL: Sowden House, also known as the Jaws House or Franklin House. Inspired by the Mayans and designed by the son of the great Frank Lloyd Wright back in 1926 for photographer John Sowden and his wife, famous Hollywood bonvivants at that time, the house turns into an impressive arena of neverending bacchanalia. In the mid 40s it was bought by George Hodel Jr., a scandalous Hollywood doctor alleged, but still unproved, murderer of the Black Dahlia, therefore the mansion is often claimed to be the most likely crimescene.  The house can be seen in LA Confidential and in The Aviator it plays the part of Ava Gardner’s home. In 2001 it was bought by Xorin Balbes – a restorer, interior designer and philanthropist for the modest sum of 1.2 million dollars. It was put to lot of “surgery”, widely discussed and critisized by Lloyd Wright’s inheritors and followers. After the transformation the house is constantly on and off the market. They asked for 4.2 million dollars the last time. I have no idea if someone bought it but according to its website you can rent it for your wedding or any other remarkable event.