On the edge of Joshua Tree National Park in California lies an iconic home known as the Kellogg Doolittle House – which is now embroiled in scandal.

Two women have accused the current owner of the property, a businessman from the music industry Scott Leonarddrugged and attacked her during her visit to the famous house, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The women, singer-songwriter Jamie Lee Dimes and artists Courtney Barrigerare suing Leonard, who has not yet been charged. Both women filed police reports, and in response to our inquiry, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said the “investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.”

Barriger gave an interview to the Times and said of Leonard: “When he invited me, I really wanted to see his house. What could go wrong?”

“He’s out there in the desert and has this fancy house,” the women’s lawyer said. Nick Rowleyhe said in a press conference broadcast by FOX 11 Los Angeles. “It’s a unique house. And it attracts people.”

The house is considered an outstanding example of organic architecture and was built by hand in the desert. Frank Lloyd WrightProtégé of Ken Kellogg and master craftsmen John Vugrin.

Commissioned by an artist couple Bev and Jay DoolittleThe house took more than 25 years to complete and makes sophisticated use of its desert surroundings, nestling organically into the ancient sand and boulders. The unique home has 16,000 followers on Instagram.

The house was the venue for music industry parties—Alicia Keys recently played a private concert there – and was even listed on Airbnb, where 100% of guests rated it five stars. But since these allegations came to light, the house has been removed from the short-term rental site.

Our inquiries to the home’s official Instagram account, @kellogg_doolittle_official, and the website kelloggdoolittlehouse.com remained unanswered.

“This is the famous Kellogg Doolittle estate in Joshua Tree, California. It is one of the most exclusive homes in the world and for the first time, available exclusively as an Airbnb Luxe,” the Airbnb listing said before it was removed. “The Kellogg Doolittle home offers unparalleled privacy, tranquility, park access and the opportunity to boulder on a secluded property. Leave the rest of the world behind in this one-of-a-kind home.”

For $6,700 a night, guests were promised instant access to the Joshua Tree, right outside their door, as well as three bedrooms, each with stunning views.

But it was in one of those bedrooms that she was attacked on a round bed in 2022, Dimes told the Times.

Musician Dimes told the Times that she went to the famous house at his invitation to sing him some of her songs. But while there, Dimes claimed she felt drugged by a “powerful sedative” and was allegedly raped, although her memories are “hazy.”

According to the Times, Barriger, an artist and model, claimed she had a similar experience at the house a year earlier in 2021, when she was drugged and Leonard then attempted to sexually assault her.

“He invited both women to the house to play and sing, which they did. He slipped illegal drugs into their drinks, sexually abused them and raped one of the women,” Rowley said at the press conference. “You go to a famous house… and sing your heart out. And the next thing you know, you’re out of it, you keep passing out, and someone is raping you… Imagine the horror.”

How allegations of sexual assault can affect the value of a home

Since the home is no longer listed on Airbnb, it’s unclear what will happen to bookings. Airbnb did not respond to a request for comment from Realtor.com®.

However, some real estate experts predict that the reputation of this beautiful house could be severely damaged by these allegations.

“This is a perfect example of how a property value can be negatively affected by a sex scandal,” says Sonia Christian-Bendt of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Properties. “The value of the home will be negatively impacted until he leaves.”

And even then, she believes it will take some work to repair the damage to a short-term rental. The new owners will have to “create a new atmosphere and ensure safety,” she adds.

She also points out that the alleged serial paedophile Jeffrey EpsteinThe Manhattan townhouse was only sold after a price cut of $23 million, despite being one of the most unique and sought-after homes in the city. In March 2021, the former Goldman Sachs manager Michael Duffey bought the property despite its bad reputation for $51 million, with the proceeds going to a trust fund for the victims.

Cara Ameera licensed real estate agent in California, agrees that the allegations will negatively affect the value of the Kellogg Doolittle House both in terms of its resale value and its suitability as a rental property.

“It’s a shame because it’s such an architecturally significant house,” she says. “Some people may have moral objections to staying in a house like that and supporting the owner financially because of what (allegedly) happened.”

Denise SuppleeCo-founder of SparkRental.com, says she once inadvertently listed a home that was known as a local drug den and couldn’t sell it.

Of the Kellogg Doolittle House, she says, “I’ve seen some houses with less than great reputations sell quickly… and others just sit empty.”

But Bruce Ailiona real estate agent and attorney at Re/Max in Atlanta, believes the house’s architectural significance will easily overcome the scandal.

“This is a very special house,” he says. “I think the allegations of sexual assault tarnish the perpetrator – not the house. Perhaps in a less spectacular house, the stigma of allegations of sexual misconduct would have an impact. But the unique beauty of this house outweighs those allegations for enough buyers that they have little impact on the value. There is a buyer for this rare, one-of-a-kind property, regardless of its history.”