Unusual Sowden Residence in Los Feliz asking $4.875 million

One of L.A.’s most unusual houses, the landmark Sowden Residence in Los Feliz, is up for sale at $4.875 million.

Set up from the street and behind gates, the Lloyd Wright-designed residence was built in 1926-27 with a distinct Mayan pyramid-inspired façade. Designs on patterned concrete blocks, a technique also used by the architect’s father, Frank Lloyd Wright, depict symbols for water, earth, crops and clouds.

The renovated five-bedroom, six-bathroom house is in the shape of large rectangle and looks in on a long center courtyard with a swimming pool, which was a later addition. The master bedroom was once a studio/stage and the courtyard was used for seating for open-air theatrical performances put on by original owners John and Ruth Sowden, for whom the house is named.

Venetian plaster, industrial-vibe bathrooms and a koi pond off the master bath are among interior features.

The 5,600-square-foot house has often been used in photo shoots, for events and for films and TV shows, including “Ruby Sparks� and “Californication.�

Suspicions that the house might hold the key to the so-called “Black Dahlia� murder case from 1947 have brought reality shows such as “Paranormal America� and “Ghost Hunters.�

There’s a detached two-car garage with additional office and bonus space.

The property, which last sold in 2011 for $3.85 million, is a Los Angeles historic-cultural monument and qualifies for Mills Act property tax savings.

Troy Gregory of Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.

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