“Guardians of the Galaxy” actor Chris Pratt and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, are facing backlash for their decision to demolish a historic home to make way for a new build.
The couple chose to have a Los Angeles home known as “the Zimmerman house” destroyed. The Los Angeles Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving historic places in the city, described the house as “a noteworthy example of Modernist design from this era.”
The Conservancy noted that though the house was determined to be “potentially historic” by the SurveyLA program, it was never formally classified as such and was therefore eligible for demolition at the owner’s discretion.
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The mid-century modern home was designed by architect Craig Ellwood in 1950, per SF Gate. The outlet noted that it was reportedly sold off-market for $12.5 million in 2023 and was torn down “shortly after.” It was once featured in Progressive Architecture magazine.
As with most architecture, it comes down to location, location, location. The house is situated down the street from two homes owned by Maria Shriver, Schwarzenegger’s mother, in Brentwood.
A TikTok video tour of the home posted by the account @vintageonq, which was taken during an estate sale, has gone viral as this news hit the headlines.
The TikTok goes through a list of the past occupants. The social media user noted that the property most recently belonged to Sam and Hilda Rolfe, who bought the home in 1975 for $205,000. Sam Rolfe is known for creating the TV series “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” He died in 1993, but Hilda lived in the house until her death in 2022.
Critics aren’t just upset that Pratt and Schwarzenegger tore down the home. They’re also furious that the couple allegedly enlisted architect Ken Ungar for the new build, a pro who’s known for designing modern farmhouse mansions.
The Eichler Network, an outlet documenting mid-century homes in California, published an op-ed about the event including photos of the lot where the house once stood. The writer expressed “shock” and “disbelief at the pile of rubble” upon viewing the aftermath.
“Witnessing the demolition of revered residential architecture is a gut punch. Even walking the inclined driveway leading to the empty lot where such a home once stood can be painful,” the article said.
“Special place in hell for people who do this, go buy a readily made McMansion instead you dumb b****!!!,” one person wrote on X, adding in a follow-up, “Tearing this down, for what?? Floor to ceiling black and white marble with no soul?”
Reddit commenters also lamented the demo of the property on a midcentury modern focused subreddit.
“Yet more proof that money can’t buy good taste,” one person wrote.
“This is incredibly sad. Ellwood/Burke just did custom one-offs, so there aren’t that many around. CSH #16 is one of my favorites. Great form and materials. Don’t want to ever see what atrocity that will take its place,” another person wrote.
Pratt and Schwarzenegger are currently selling their home in the hills of Pacific Palisades for $30 million.