The George Sturges House, located in the Brentwood Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, is a breathtaking example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian style. Built in 1939, it was designed during the same high-output period as Fallingwater and the Johnson Wax Building. While those projects were massive in scale, the Sturges House proved that Wright could apply his revolutionary ideas to a modest, 1,200-square-foot middle-class residence.
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The house was commissioned by George D. Sturges, an engineer who was willing to gamble on Wright’s radical proposal for a steeply sloping site. Because of the challenging terrain and the precision required for the cantilever, Wright assigned John Lautner to oversee the construction. This was a pivotal moment in architectural history, as the project deeply influenced Lautner’s own future career as a master of dramatic, hillside modernism in Los Angeles.
Preservation and Management
The home’s preservation was famously championed by actor Jack Larson (known for his role as Jimmy Olsen on Adventures of Superman) and his partner, director James Bridges, who purchased the home in 1967. They lived there for decades, treating the structure with immense respect and overseeing critical restorations to ensure the massive cantilever remained stable, preserving one of the most iconic silhouettes in California architecture. The Sturges House is now designated as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #577.
Architectural Style: The Great Cantilever
The most striking feature of the Sturges House is its 21-foot-long cantilevered deck, which juts out dramatically over the canyon. This allows the small footprint of the home to “float” above the landscape, providing panoramic views that make the 1,200 square feet feel expansive.
The house is constructed using a rich palette of redwood, brick, concrete, and steel. The horizontal lines of the redwood siding emphasize the home’s “Usonian” identity, while the glass-walled living area blurs the boundaries between the interior and the sky. Unlike many homes that fight against a hillside, the Sturges House uses its steep site to create a sense of theater and privacy.
Plan Your Visit
📍Location
The Sturges House is located in the Brentwood Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
🛑Curb-Side Viewing Only
Please be aware that the George Sturges House is a privately owned residence and is not open to the public for tours. We kindly ask that you respect the owners’ privacy and refrain from trespassing on the property. The dramatic cantilever is best viewed from the street below, but please be mindful of the narrow residential roads and local neighbors.
🧳Make it a Trip
Brentwood is a premier destination for an architectural exploration, offering a concentrated look at California Modernism. After a respectful viewing of the Sturges House, you can drive just a few miles to the Getty Center, where the Richard Meier-designed campus offers a stark, white contrast to Wright’s organic redwood tones. Continuing west into Pacific Palisades, you’ll find the Eames House (Case Study House #8), which serves as a fascinating contemporary to Wright’s Usonian vision (be sure to book garden tours in advance). If you prefer a nature-focused afternoon, the nearby trails of the Santa Monica Mountains provide the same canyon vistas that Wright so carefully captured with his cantilevered design.
🏨Hotels in West Los Angeles
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The Ambrose Hotel (Santa Monica) – A boutique hotel with a focus on California craftsman style and sustainability, located a short drive from Brentwood.
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Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel – Situated right on the edge of Brentwood, offering easy access to the hills and the Getty Center.
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Kimpton Hotel Palomar Los Angeles Beverly Hills (IHG) – A stylish, modern option located on Wilshire Boulevard, central to all Westside architectural sites.
Additional Resources & Inspired Products
Find unique products, books, and gifts inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy at our Amazon storefront: Wright at Home!
- Day Hikes In the Santa Monica Mountains: From Los Angeles To Point Mugu, Including The Entire Backbone Trail by Robert Stone (Book)
- View our YouTube playlist about the George Sturges House
