LOS ANGELES, CA.- After five years of extensive Northridge earthquake damage repairs and mold, hazardous material, and termite mitigation, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs has reopened Hollyhock House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who is considered by many a master builder, modernist rebel, devout worshipper of nature, and admirer of indigenous cultures. Hollyhock House is one of only six extant Wright-designed buildings in Los Angeles. The House was his first Los Angeles project, and it represents Wright’s earliest efforts to develop a regionally appropriate style of architecture for Southern California. Wright himself referred to this style as California Romanza, using the musical term meaning "freedom to make one's own form". The House was donated to the City of Los Angeles in 1927 by Aline Barnsdall, and, since 1976, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs has operated it as a house museum. Hollyhock House opened with docent-led tours on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, a day which also marked Wright’s 138th birthday.

The Grand Opening of Hollyhock House will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at which time the final elements of the House’s current restorations will be in place. A Media Preview Day will be held the day before the Grand Opening, on Tuesday, July 12, 2005, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Margie J. Reese, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, notes that “the City of Los Angeles is exceedingly fortunate to have been the recipient of such a generous and historic gift from such a dedicated individual as Aline Barnsdall. Her love of the arts has been renewed in countless others and sustained through the programs offered by our Department at Barnsdall Park.”

Current interiors restoration includes the following elements:The Wright-designed living room carpet was researched by the American Society of Interior Designers and manufactured by Edward Fields, with funds from the Estate of Stephen R. Zlodi. An original table designed by Wright for the alcove next to the living room fireplace was previously purchased by Robert Leary, and has been returned to the House in honor of Virginia Kazor, Historic Site Curator with the Department of Cultural Affairs. Robert Leary also funded a reproduction of the alcove chair, constructed by Chris Casny with upholstering donated by Bobrosky. Martin Eli Weil researched the dining room color scheme and its re-painting was executed by Zuleyma Aguirre. Friends of Hollyhock House have raised $21,000 to purchase an Oriental carpet for the dining room, and Ron Kline, past president of the Friends, is working with staff to locate a replacement. Two wood sconces, designed by Rudolph Schindler for Miss Barnsdall, were reproduced in honor of Doris Ray March, with funds donated by Martin J. Brickman.

In addition to interiors restoration, the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering led a special team to work on Hollyhock House, consisting of the Construction Forces Division of the Department of General Services, and the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Using seismic bond funds provided by the City, and with instructions to “get Hollyhock House open,” the team removed mold and hazardous materials, repaired and repainted all exterior wood trim, and tackled termites. The roofs and drains were water-tested, the planters repaired, and the skylights and glass roof sealed. In addition, the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems were inspected and repaired for safety and proper operation.

In spite of these successful interiors restoration efforts and structural improvements, Hollyhock House still requires strengthening of its un-reinforced hollow clay tile walls in order for the structure to better resist future Southern California earthquakes, and miscellaneous additional work is needed to generally rehabilitate and preserve the House. Some funding for future work has been identified, but more is needed. The Department of Cultural Affairs is currently in the planning stages for further interiors restoration work, and both Friends of Hollyhock House and the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation plan to assist in fundraising efforts.

Hollyhock House, which has received over one million visitors since 1976, will be open for public tours beginning Wednesday, June 8, 2005. Tours will be offered four times a day, Wednesday through Sunday. Tours run one hour and begin at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Groups of ten or more people must make reservations by calling (323) 644-6269. Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for Seniors and Students, and Free for Children under 12 with an Adult. Tours are given by volunteer docents trained by the Museum Education and Tours Program of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Note that visitors are requested to wear flat-heeled shoes. For more information, the public should call (323) 644-6269.