In question: Did Joshua Tree's Invisible House demand a $10,000 fee for a selfie, and here's what the owner has to say about it?
In the desert landscape of Joshua Tree, known for its unique homes, a striking structure has garnered attention - The Invisible House. This mirror-walled monolith, a modern art installation and luxury short-term rental, has been featured in Architectural Digest and served as a backdrop for over 100 productions, including campaigns for Hermes and BMW.
Recently, a dispute arose over a selfie incident involving a TikTok user, Sean Davis. Davis claimed he was charged $10,000 for taking a selfie at the home. However, the homeowners, the Hanleys, dispute this claim, stating that Davis was charged for an unpermitted photoshoot for his clothing company on the property.
According to the Hanleys, commercial activity at The Invisible House requires paperwork allowing a brand to use the property's copyrights and trademarks. They argue that the rules governing the use of their home are clear to guests both before and upon booking.
Davis, on the other hand, questions the distinction between posting content to personal social media accounts and promoting a brand, stating that it's difficult to know where to draw the line. He claims that a friend's girlfriend uploaded a photo of her outfit to social media and tagged a different clothing brand, which then reposted the content and tagged The Invisible House, leading to the charges.
The Hanleys provided documents showing that Sean Davis was charged $9,000 in total, with $3,000 for the booking, $2,500 in a forfeited security deposit, and $3,500 upon signing a separation agreement and release of claims.
The Invisible House can be rented as a short-term home for approximately $3,000 a night or for commercial activity for about $1,000 an hour plus additional costs.
Meanwhile, Joshua Tree is also facing controversy over plans for the Joshua Tree Art Museum and a proposed glamping resort near Joshua Tree National Park. The museum plans have been met with opposition, and locals have sued over potential harms to wildlife. A Vegas company is planning to build the glamping resort, but the project is yet to be approved.
Elsewhere in Joshua Tree, the epic tree house of a 'Simpsons' producer may face the ax after an 'absurd' fight with the city.
Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz has shot at The Invisible House for Vogue, adding to its list of high-profile visitors. Despite the recent controversy, it seems that The Invisible House continues to attract attention, both for its unique design and its controversial history.
Reset Hotel, a new home built from the ground up in the last 15 years, has been constructed in Joshua Tree. As the area continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how The Invisible House and other unique homes will fit into the landscape of this iconic desert town.
