Sowden House is a Mayan Revival house in Los Angeles, California, and a filming location for The Aviator (2004) and I Am the Night (2019). Built in 1926, it was designed by Lloyd Wright, and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It is owned by John Sowden.
Location: 5121 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, California, United States
Verified facts
- Located in Los Feliz, Los Angeles
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1388, SRC-1389, SRC-3331, SRC-3588 - Designed by Lloyd Wright
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1390, SRC-1391 - Built in 1926
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1392, SRC-1388, SRC-1389 - Architectural style: Mayan Revival
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1392, SRC-1389 - Historic designation: National Register of Historic Places; Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1390, SRC-1388, SRC-3332, SRC-3588 - Appeared in The Aviator (movie, 2004)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1391, SRC-1388, SRC-3333 - Appeared in I Am the Night (tv, 2019)
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1391, SRC-3333, SRC-4370, SRC-1388
Ownership history
Previous owners
- George Hodel (1945–1950)
confidence 95/100 · SRC-1392, SRC-1388, SRC-4371, SRC-7390, SRC-7391 - John Sowden (1926–1945)
confidence 95/100 · SRC-1392, SRC-1388, SRC-4371, SRC-1389, SRC-7389
Evidence & sources
- SRC-1388 — Wikipedia — John Sowden House (Tier 3, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1389 — Wallpaper* — Lloyd Wright's reinvigorated Sowden House in Los Angeles (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1390 — Los Angeles Conservancy — Sowden House (Tier 2, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1391 — Sowden House — official site (home) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1392 — Sowden House — official site (history) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3331 — LAist — Inside Lloyd Wright's Sowden House (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3332 — Los Feliz Improvement Association — Historic-Cultural Monuments in Los Feliz (Tier 2, civic_organization; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3333 — The Hollywood Reporter — Inside 'I Am the Night's' Sowden House (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3588 — nps.gov (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4370 — variety.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4371 — atlasobscura.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4599 — Hyperallergic (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4718 — Library of Congress — Historic American Buildings Survey: Sowden House (Tier 1, government; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7389 — The John Sowden House by Lloyd Wright in Los Feliz (Beyond Shelter) (Tier 3, article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7390 — How Lloyd Wright's Infamous Sowden House Might Be Connected to the Black Dahlia Case (AOL) (Tier 2, article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7391 — LA Home Spotlight: Majesty, Mystery and Murder at the Sowden House (JohnHart Real Estate) (Tier 3, article; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Privately owned — not open to the public. John Sowden House (Lloyd Wright, 1926), 5121 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles. A private residence/event venue available for hire (photoshoots, films, private parties); no scheduled public tours. Occasional public access only via special programming (e.g. MAK Center / homeLA events).
Frequently asked questions
Where was I Am the Night filmed?
Sowden House, in Los Angeles, California, is a real-world filming location used for I Am the Night. This property has also appeared on screen in The Aviator.
Where was The Aviator filmed?
Sowden House, in Los Angeles, California, is a real-world filming location used for The Aviator. This property has also appeared on screen in I Am the Night.
Can you visit Sowden House?
Sowden House is a private residence and is not open to the public. Please respect the owners' privacy and do not trespass.
Who designed Sowden House?
Sowden House was designed by Lloyd Wright.
Where is Sowden House located?
Sowden House is located in Los Angeles, California.