Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger Face Backlash for Demolishing Historic L.A. Home

Social media users have called razing the house “incredibly sad” and “more proof that money can't buy good taste”

Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger are under fire for razing an architecturally significant house they purchased last year.

According to Robb Report, the couple bought the Zimmerman House in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood off market for $12.5 million in January 2023.

Shortly after, they demolished the midcentury building, designed by esteemed midcentury architect Craig Ellwood, and began construction on a new home for themselves.

The previous owners were Sam Rolfe, the co-creator of classic TV shows The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Have Gun — Will Travel, and his wife Hilda, who continued to live there for 30 years after Sam's death in 1993.

Pratt and Schwarzenegger reportedly were drawn to the property for its proximity to a home owned by Schwarzenegger’s mother, Maria Shriver.

A post on the Los Angeles Convervancy’s Instagram account describes the 1950 Zimmerman House as "a noteworthy example of Modernist design from this era," adding that the house was identified as “potentially historic,” but “no protections are currently afforded.”

Permit records obtained by Robb Report reportedly show that the new house being built in its place is designed by L.A. architect Ken Ungar, known for his modern farmhouse-style mansions.

The two-story home’s features will include a backyard swimming pool and a pool house or cabana.

Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger Praises Son-in-Law Chris Pratt: ‘I’m Really Happy My Daughter Has Found Him’

A representative for Pratt did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Preservationists and architecture enthusiasts angry about the demolition have taken to social media to voice their disapproval.

Related: Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger's Relationship Timeline

In a thread in the subreddit r/midcenturymodern, commenters call the demolition “incredibly sad” and “more proof that money can't buy good taste.”

“Unbelievable the notoriously onerous City of LA doesn’t allow anyone to do anything that makes actual sense -  Allowed this midcentury modern house to be TORN DOWN,” wrote realtor Julie Chang on X.

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“It's sad to see icons of modernism needlessly destroyed by insensitive McMansion seekers,” wrote designer David Hill.

“Maybe i'm different but i would have a hard time sleeping soundly if i spent $12.5 million on this house only to tear it down,” TV writer Caitie Delaney weighed in.

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