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A severely damaged Frank Lloyd Wright landmark in Los Angeles used in movies and TV shows is up for sale for $15 million by a foundation whose fundraising efforts are hurting, the Associated Press reported.

The nonprofit Ennis House Foundation owns the 1924 Ennis House, which sits on a hilltop north of downtown L.A. near Griffith Park. The structure was seriously damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. In 2005, storms caused a retaining wall to buckle, adding to the problems.

The foundation has spent $6.5 million in repairs so far, AP reported, but has now decided that the home's best chance for preservation would be as an owner-occupied dwelling. The foundation estimated that a new owner would have to spend $7 million to complete the restoration, on top of the $15 million purchase price.

The estate was built from more than 25,000 16-inch concrete blocks and is one of just four of the famed American architect's "textile block" homes.

Board President James DeMeo said the bad economy has made it difficult to raise funds.

Eric Lloyd Wright, grandson of the architect, told Reuters: "I fully support the Ennis House returning to private ownership. ... My grandfather designed homes to be occupied by people. His homes are works of art. He created the space, but the space becomes a creative force of its own and uplifts when it is lived in every day."

In March 2005, the 6,000-square-foot estate was placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's most-endangered list. It served as the site for films including "Blade Runner" and was used in episodes of TV shows such as "Twin Peaks" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Hilton & Hyland and Dilbeck Realtors are handling the sale, Reuters reported, with assistance from Christie's Great Estates, a subsidiary of Christie's auction house.

Frank Lloyd Wright, a prolific architect, died in 1959. Among his notable designs are the famed white spiral of New York's Guggenheim Museum, which is marking its 50th anniversary.

Full statement from the Ennis House Foundation, courtesy www.ennishouse.org:

After serious consideration, the Ennis House Foundation has decided to place the Ennis House on the market for sale to a private owner. This decision stems primarily from the fact that the house needs more stewardship at this point than a small nonprofit can sustain.

The goal of the Foundation has always been to be a good steward of the Ennis House. Since its reorganization in 2005, the Foundation has worked to complete urgent stabilization and restoration work on the home in the aftermath of the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the 2004-2005 winter floods. Having met this critical priority, the Foundation's board focused on analyzing longer-term needs and options for the house.

In 2008, the Foundation commissioned a study to evaluate potential approaches to the future preservation and stewardship of the Ennis House. The study confirmed that the Foundation would need to generate significant philanthropy to operate at a sustainable level for future years, given the house's ongoing repair and restoration needs. Despite many conversations with potential funders, we haven't found the resources required.

As a result, the Foundation determined that our best option is to find a private owner with the vision and resources to give this beloved Los Angeles landmark the level of care it needs and deserves.

We have listed the Ennis House with Hilton & Hyland and Dilbeck Realtors in Los Angeles, with international marketing services provided by Christie's Great Estates. The house has a conservation easement to protect it from demolition or insensitive alteration, and to guide future restoration, preservation, and maintenance efforts.

The Foundation thanks everyone who has supported us in our work thus far, and we look forward to finding an excellent steward to ensure the long-term preservation and legacy of this architectural icon.