Rosenheim Mansion

Historic building in California

34°03′00″N 118°19′02″W / 34.0501°N 118.3173°W / 34.0501; -118.3173Named forAlfred RosenheimYear(s) built1908OwnerAngela Oakenfold
Dr. Ernst von SchwarzTechnical detailsMaterialBricks and Peruvian mahoganyFloor count3Floor area10,440 sq ft (970 m2)Grounds30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2)Design and constructionArchitect(s)Alfred RosenheimKnown forFilming locationDesignatedJune 22, 1999Reference no.660

The Rosenheim Mansion, also known as the Murder House, is a historic building in the Country Club Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. It was the home of architect Alfred Rosenheim, who built the mansion in 1908. It is also known for its popularity as a filming location, especially for the series American Horror Story.[3]

History

Rosenheim built the mansion in 1908.[1][4][5] After living in the house for ten years,[6] the Rosenheims sold it to A.J. McQuatters, the president of the Alvarado Mining and Milling Company, in 1918.[7][8] Edward Everett Horton then lived there in the early 1930s.[9][10] The Sisters of Social Service then took over the mansion in 1930, using it as a convent and adding a chapel to the building in 1932.[11][12] The nuns left the residence in 1994.[13] In 1999, the site was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.[14]

The property was put on the market again by real estate agent Joe Babajian for $4.5 million in 2011.[3] In early 2012, it was listed for $12 million, but by July it had decreased to $7.8 million.[1] In 2014, it was priced at $5 million[2] but was eventually sold in 2015 for $3.2 million.[15] Its buyers were cardiologist Dr. Ernst von Schwarz and Angela Oakenfold, the ex-wife of record producer Paul Oakenfold.[16] Oakenfold and von Schwarz sued the sellers of the house in 2018 for not disclosing that the property was featured on American Horror Story, as fans frequently visit the area.[17][18][19] In 2016, it was listed in Airbnb for $1,450 a night, accommodating 16 people.[20][21]

Design

The building, built in a Tudor Revival and Gothic Revival style,[1][2] covers 10,440 sq ft (970 m2) on a 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2) lot. The house has three stories and is made from Italian bricks with Peruvian mahogany paneling. A 56 ft (17 m)-tall chapel adjoining the building was converted into a ballroom but is mainly used as a recording studio.[3][15] Some display cases and a pair of doors are made from Tiffany glass. The mansion also contains six Batchelder fireplaces.[22] There is a hidden room in the basement and a gym, and most of the building's ceilings are hand-painted.[2][4][15]

Media filmed at the mansion

Numerous films and TV series have been filmed at the mansion, including:[2][23]

  • The Twilight Zone (1959)
  • Dragnet (1987)
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer (S4E4 - "Fear, Itself") (1999)
  • Spider-Man (2002)
  • Seabiscuit (2003)
  • American Horror Story: Murder House (2011)
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents
  • Californication
  • CSI: Miami
  • Dexter
  • Grey's Anatomy
  • Law & Order
  • The Mentalist
  • The X-Files

References

  1. ^ a b c d Beale, Lauren (July 5, 2012). "'American Horror Story' mansion is back on market". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Heffter, Emily (May 14, 2014). "'American Horror Story' mansion with other creepy roles for sale". Today. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Ng, Philiana (December 13, 2011). "'American Horror Story' Mansion on Sale for $4.5 Million". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Gajewski, Ryan (March 12, 2015). "'American Horror Story' Mansion Sells for $3.2 Million". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  5. ^ Wong, Venus (March 12, 2015). "Someone Bought That House From "American Horror Story" For A REALLY Good Bargain". Refinery29. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "American Horror Story Mansion Sells for $3.2-Million (PHOTOS)". Pricey Pads. March 13, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  7. ^ "Mexico Silver King, Edison of Jaan Buy L. A. Homes". Los Angeles Express. December 13, 1918. p. 17. Retrieved February 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Buys A Fine Home Here". Los Angeles Times. December 15, 1918. p. 29. Retrieved February 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Bryant, Jacob (February 19, 2016). "'American Horror Story' Murder House Available for Airbnb Rental". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Meltzer, Matthew (October 4, 2018). "11 'American Horror Story' Filming Locales You Can Actually Visit". Matador Network. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  11. ^ "Los Angeles Department of City Planning - Recommendation Report" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. May 27, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  12. ^ Cowan, Jared (August 21, 2014). "Recognize this House? Here are some iconic L.A. houses from your favorite movies and TV shows". LA Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  13. ^ Burton, Jamie; Reporter, Film (July 15, 2021). "The LA House Used in American Horror Stories As the Murder House". Newsweek. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "Historic- Cultural Monument (HCM) List" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. June 3, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Beale, Lauren (March 10, 2015). "'American Horror Story' house finally finds a buyer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  16. ^ Barragan, Bianca (March 17, 2015). "The American Horror Story Mansion Has Finally Sold to a Famous DJ's Ex". Curbed. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  17. ^ Barragan, Bianca (February 9, 2018). "'American Horror Story' mansion's new owners really regret their purchase". Curbed. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  18. ^ Bartiromo, Michael (February 12, 2018). "Couple who bought 'American Horror Story' mansion sues seller, alleging nobody told them home's history". Fox News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  19. ^ Chen, Joyce (February 23, 2018). "The Owners of the House in American Horror Story Are Suing the Sellers for Their Unwanted Tourist Problem". Architectural Digest. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  20. ^ Tafoya, Angela (February 19, 2016). "You Can Rent The "American Horror Story" Murder House". Refinery29. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  21. ^ Park, Andrea (February 22, 2016). ""American Horror Story" home listed on Airbnb - CBS News". CBS News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  22. ^ Allison, Melissa (March 12, 2015). "Look inside! 'American Horror Story' mansion sells". Today. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  23. ^ Kelley, Seth (February 19, 2016). "The 'Murder House' from 'American Horror Story' is available to rent on Airbnb". Time Out. Retrieved February 14, 2024.