The Most Expensive Mid-Century House Ever Sold

Mid-century modern homes, with their clean lines and timeless appeal, have become highly sought-after, but few have fetched prices that rival the ultra-luxury market. While exact records for the priciest mid-century home sale are often private or debated, one standout is the Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House #22 (Stahl House) in Los Angeles, which, while not publicly sold at an astronomical figure, is valued in the tens of millions due to its iconic status. However, the title of the most expensive mid-century home sale often points to properties like the Edris House in Palm Springs, sold for $4.2 million in 2017, though adjusted for inflation and rarity, other contenders emerge.

The Edris House, designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1954, is a Palm Springs gem, celebrated for its stone-clad elegance and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Coachella Valley. Restored meticulously with guidance from famed photographer Julius Shulman’s images, its $4.2 million sale set a benchmark for mid-century homes at the time. Its price reflected not just the architecture but its cultural weight as a symbol of desert modernism.

Other notable sales, like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House in Los Angeles, which sold for $18 million in 2019, push the envelope further. Built in 1924 but reaching peak fame in the mid-century, its Mayan-inspired design and Hollywood pedigree (featured in Blade Runner) drove its value. While technically pre-MCM, its mid-century cultural resonance makes it a contender.

Why do these homes command such prices? Rarity, provenance, and preservation matter. Mid-century homes by architects like Richard Neutra or John Lautner are finite, and pristine examples are scarce. Buyers—often collectors or design enthusiasts—pay for history, not just square footage. Yet, the market’s secrecy and lack of centralized data make pinpointing one record tricky; sales like the Ennis House suggest the ceiling could climb higher as demand grows.

For now, homes like the Edris or Ennis represent the pinnacle, blending mid-century’s optimistic design with modern luxury’s price tags. As preservation efforts strengthen, expect more to challenge the record, proving MCM’s enduring allure.