Located in the rugged Malibu hills, the Arch Oboler Estate is a striking example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture. Designed beginning in 1940, the estate was intended to be a sprawling residential complex that harmonized with the jagged rocks and sweeping vistas of the Santa Monica Mountains. The project was commissioned by Arch Oboler (1909–1987), a legendary writer and director who mastered the art of suspense in radio’s “Golden Age.”
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The Rise and Fall of Eaglefeather
The history of the Oboler Estate is a saga of ambition and natural disaster. Oboler was a pioneer who shared Wright’s flair for the dramatic, often exploring philosophical and experimental themes in his work. While the gatehouse and retreat were completed, the ambitious main house—Eaglefeather—was halted during the foundation stage due to the onset of World War II and the personal tragedy of the Obolers’ son’s accidental death on the property.
Tragically, the estate has faced immense challenges from California’s wildfire seasons. In 2018, the Woolsey Fire swept through the Malibu canyons, severely damaging the structures. While much of the woodwork was lost, the iconic desert masonry remains as a haunting testament to Wright’s vision. Because the ruins are on private property in a high-risk zone, they remain a fragile part of Wright’s California legacy.
Filming at the Edge of the World
Arch Oboler didn’t just live in Wright’s architecture; he used it to tell stories. Oboler is perhaps best remembered for his 1951 film Five, which holds the distinction of being the first feature film to depict life after a nuclear holocaust.
Oboler chose to film Five directly on the grounds of his estate. The rugged, isolated mountain setting and Wright’s experimental structures provided the perfect backdrop for a world reclaimed by nature. In the film, the characters seek refuge in a house that many viewers recognize as the Oboler gatehouse and guest quarters. Seeing the “Eaglefeather” structures on screen provides a rare historical record of the estate’s interior and exterior before the decades of fire damage.
Architectural Style: Desert Masonry
The Oboler Estate is a West Coast sibling to Wright’s Taliesin West. It utilizes “desert masonry,” a technique where local fieldstones are placed in forms and bonded with concrete to create walls that look like they were pushed up from the earth itself.
The most intimate part of the design was “Eleanor’s Retreat,” a small studio perched on a rock outcrop designed specifically for Oboler’s wife. With its floor-to-ceiling glass and cantilevered roof, it was intended to offer a “nest-like” experience overlooking the Pacific.
Wright once famously said that a building should be “of the hill,” not on it. Today, even as a collection of scorched stone ruins, the Oboler Estate fulfills that promise. The desert masonry has endured precisely because it was designed to harmonize with the raw, jagged beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains—proving that while wood may burn, Wright’s organic foundations remain a permanent part of the landscape.
Plan Your Visit
📍Location
The remains of the Arch Oboler Estate are located at 34236 Mulholland Highway in Malibu, California.
🛑Private Property – Strictly No Access
Please be aware that the Arch Oboler Estate is a privately owned residence. It is not open to the public for tours. We kindly ask that you respect the owners’ privacy and the sensitive nature of the fire-damaged landscape.
🧳Make it a Trip
A drive along Mulholland Highway allows you to experience the same dramatic topography that inspired Wright. You can pair this drive with a visit to Hollyhock House (25 miles) and experience one of Wright’s textile block houses.
Additional Resources & Inspired Products
Find unique products, books, and gifts inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy at our Amazon storefront: Wright at Home.
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Organic Architecture: The Other Modernism by Alan Hess (Author), Alan Weintraub (Photographer)
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Frank Lloyd Wright on the West Coast by Mark Anthony Wilson (Author), Joel Puliatti (Photographer)
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s California Houses (Wright at a Glance Series) by Carla Lind