With January come and gone, we are now fully immersed in 2014 and are excited about the opportunities that this year brings. We are especially positive about our beloved Palm Springs and all of the great things in store for this amazing city- from slow and steady economic growth to downtown revitalization to new hotels and restaurants. But as we look forward to the future we wanted to take a moment to honor the historical places that make Palm Springs the unique city that it is.
The Edris House
A classic example of Desert Modernism, the stone-walled Edris house appears to rise organically from the rocky landscape. Built in 1954, this home was designed for Marjorie and William Edris by the prominent Palm Springs architect, E. Stewart Williams.
The Kauffman House
One of the most important architects of the 20th Century, yet often overlooked, Richard Neutra has been on the forefront of modern residential architecture. After moving to the United States from Vienna, Austria in 1923, Neutra worked with Frank Lloyd Wright and Rudolf Schindler until 1930 when he started his own practice. One of Neutra’s several iconic projects is the Kaufmann House in Palm Springs. Completed between 1946-1947, the Kaufmann House was a vacation home for Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr. and his family to escape the harsh winters of the northeast.
The Loewy House
Designed by Palm Springs architect Albert Frey, built in 1946-47 as a bachelor retreat, and expanded later when Loewy got married, the house has been restored by metalware manufacturer Jim Gaudineer who said of the design, “When you slide open the glass walls, it’s almost like living outdoors.†Loewy’s home is a typical Palm Springs modernist villa with a low-slung pavilion and plenty of glass providing striking views of desert, mountains, and the pool and garden… making the private oasis complete.
The Dinah Shore House
Designed by architect Donald Wexler for Dinah Shore in 1963, this legendary tennis estate is an example of timeless architecture. Located in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood of Palm Springs, the home has undergone major renovation while still honoring Wexler’s style and continues to define modern desert living.
Hope Estate
Designed by renowned Modernist architect John Lautner, the estate was completed in 1980 for Bob and Dolores Hope. Expertly blending concrete, steel and glass, the approximately 23,000 square feet home remains the largest private residence ever designed by Lautner. Architectural feats include a curving copper roof that mimics the contours of the neighboring mountains, a massive, natural boulder that juts dramatically into the living room, and overhead, an expansive oculus at the center of the roof that opens to the sky above the courtyard.
Leff/Florsheim Home
Located in Palm Springs’ prestigious Little Tuscany neighborhood, this private, gated estate was originally built in 1957. The residence of Harold Florsheim, chairman of The Florsheim Shoe Co., and his wife Sarabell, the Florsheim family remained stewards of the property for more than 30 years. From 2003 to 2004, the Post & Beam classic home was meticulously rebuilt and restored. Original Wexler blueprints were used in an effort to recreate and honor the original vision, while updating its amenities to incorporate modern day conveniences.
