Donald Wexler is kind of an architectural man of steel. Taking a turn on Superman’s nickname, the master architect is known for his innovative use of steel across commercial and, most notably, residential projects throughout Palm Springs.
Specifically, his use of steel is noted for the innovative approach he took with it, beginning with public projects that led to an experimental residential application designed to support prefabricated construction.
His talent aside, Wexler seemed to benefit from being in the right place at the right time, hitting his stride architecturally at a time when Palm Springs was involved in a full-blown love affair with desert modernism. His association and collaboration with other architects of note at the time placed him at the epicenter of a building and development boom that was underpinned by architectural intention.
Wexler’s story begins in South Dakota.
Donald Wexler: The Early Years
Wexler was born in South Dakota and attended the University of Minnesota to pursue a degree in architecture. Other master architects have noted that Wexler graduated from Minnesota with a crop of classmates who were exceptionally well-versed in a desert modernism style that, at the time, was increasingly gaining traction.
Following graduation, Wexler relocated to Los Angeles to work with master architect Richard Neutra, who was widely regarded as a pioneer in desert modernism as he integrated international style with an airy design more suited for the Southwest. As an apprentice and junior draftsman, Wexler spent most of his time with Neutra learning and contributing to larger-scale collaborative projects, including the Elysian Park Heights public housing project.
Wexler then transferred the experience he earned under Neutra, taking a job with noted Palm Springs architect William F. Cody. Beginning in the early 1950s, Wexler supported Cody and his firm in the design and development of the Tamarisk Country Club project in Rancho Mirage. As the second 18-hole golf club in the Coachella Valley, Tamarisk Country Club was founded by a group of Los Angeles businessmen who had faced restrictions, based on religious or social issues, at the area’s other private clubs.
Members of note at Tamarisk Country Club included Jack Benny, George Burns and the Marx Brothers. Frank Sinatra was known to host Rat Pack parties at his estate along the 17th fairway.
The club still exists to this day.
Cody, with the support of Wexler, was one of the first architects to build “clubhouses” in a desert modernist style. The design style aside, his contribution to community development — lining golf clubs with residential retreats — was innovative for the time and influenced future development for decades to come.
Wexler’s time at Cody’s firm led to a professional connection with Richard A. Harrison. The two partnered after leaving Cody’s firm.
Wexler’s Mark On Palm Springs
A classic desert modernist, Wexler dove even deeper into the iconic style of architecture when he and Harrison began working together in the early 1950s. The two designed a number of school projects that utilized their unique approach to steel-framed construction. Most notably, the two used steel for its decoration as well as its industrial strength.
Wexler is perhaps best known for his involvement in creating the Steel Development Houses, which was a collaborative concept with architect Bernard Perlin. The project also included U.S. Steel as a partner, as well as Alexander Construction Company. At a time when steel was a more affordable building material being used largely in commercial construction, Wexler and his collaborators imagined a community of 38 homes built with steel framing.
Just seven of the homes were built in the Palm Springs neighborhood of Racquet Club Estates before rising steel costs capsized the project. However, the concept represented an experiment in the midcentury appeal for prefabricated, mass produced homes that embraced indoor-outdoor living during the post-war era. Decades later, those same steel homes are celebrated and embraced for offering a rare snapshot of a residential concept that never came to be.
Despite the project being cut short, Wexler is noted for his significant contribution to experimenting with a new form of residential construction.
The Wexler Signature
The balance of Wexler’s architectural portfolio included commercial buildings and civic structures such as the original Palm Springs International Airport terminal, the Merrill Lynch building, and the Royal Hawaiian Estates condominium community. His work was recognizable for its incorporation of key desert modernism elements, each of which served as a response to the desert climate.
Here are a few terms and definitions that provide more clarity on desert modernism itself and Wexler’s most recognizable design elements.
- Midcentury. This term refers to the time period when these homes were built, primarily between the 1920s and 1960s, with a boom following the end of World War II.
- Modernism. An architectural style that was admired globally and embraced clean lines, industrial materials and an emphasis on function.
- Desert modernism. An adaptation of international modernism specifically for the climate in the American Southwest.
- Expansive glass. Desert modernism embraces indoor-outdoor living, often doing its best to neutralize the barrier between interior and exterior living spaces. Expansive glass maximizing natural light is a hallmark of desert modernist design, put into practice with floor-to-ceiling glass, retractable doors and clerestory windows.
- Deep roof overhangs. Adding drama, Wexler was known to use extensive roof overhangs with deep eaves to shield the home and the outdoor living areas from the sun.
- Breeze blocks. Architectural components that help block heat while allowing for air flow.
- Exposed post-and-beams. Wexler was known to not only utilize post-and-beam construction but to incorporate it as an exposed element.
Nowhere was his signature design energy felt more than in his own home, known as the Wexler Residence.
Notable Wexler Projects
Wexler designed his family home in 1955. The post-and-beam home was immediately recognized as a structure of note, being featured by the Los Angeles Times Home magazine just a few years after it was completed. It has since earned a Class 1 Historic resource designation, and it has undergone both renovations and expansions.
Architecturally speaking, the home broke new ground by incorporating a new type of plywood throughout its L-shaped structure. And with an acute awareness of how families change over time, Wexler designed the footprint of the home to be flexible, allowing several non-bearing walls in the home to be moveable.
With a flat roof, expansive glass and unique integrations of indoor-outdoor living spaces, the Wexler Residence truly embodies desert modernism. Following a restoration period, the home was washed in a custom Wexler White paint, creating a stunning, sleek contrast against the verdant desert landscape.
Some of Wexler’s other notable projects include:
- Dinah Shore Residence, 1964. Natural stone and floor-to-ceiling glass anchor this desert retreat.
- El Rancho Vista Estates, 1959-60. With his partner Richard Harrison, the two designed about 70 homes in the community.
- Ellerman Medical Building, 1969. An unassuming commercial property that is included on a Wexler architectural tour.
- Professional Park, 1960-64. A flat-roofed complex that is cushioned by eucalyptus trees and shaded by deep eaves.
- Royal Hawaiian Estates, 1960. An island-inspired condo community that has earned Class 1 Historic designation, designed to provide a sense of romantic nostalgia for soldiers who served in the Polynesian regions during World War II.
The PS Properties Link
At PS Properties, we’re very familiar with Wexler’s work and his influence on the architectural landscape in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and the Coachella Valley. From his commercial buildings, some of which were iconic but did not stand the test of time, to his innovative steel homes, Wexler certainly left his unique fingerprint across our area.
That is, in part, why we took the responsibility of representing the Wexler Residence in its sale with such reverence. A historical and architectural landmark on a third-acre in Movie Colony East, the home sold for $3.57 million.
We honestly pride ourselves on our knowledge of and appreciation for the architectural greats who shaped Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, and we believe it shows in the work we do for our clients. When we know that a historic property or one of architectural significance is being placed in our care, we take the responsibility seriously.
The PS Properties team recognizes the unique privilege it has to work in an area with such a rich history, while also working in a community that has a desire to preserve that history. Wexler’s experimentation, and his embrace of classic desert modernism, left a mark on Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
We view our work in the industry as a piece of the preservation puzzle, doing our best to ensure that the area’s architectural treasures — some of which include Wexler’s projects — get the attention and respect they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Donald Wexler?
Donald Wexler was a master architect known for his innovative use of steel across commercial and residential projects in Palm Springs. Born in South Dakota, he studied architecture at the University of Minnesota, then moved to Los Angeles to work with Richard Neutra as an apprentice and junior draftsman before joining William F. Cody’s practice in Palm Springs.
What are the Steel Development Houses?
The Steel Development Houses were an experimental concept Wexler created with architect Bernard Perlin, with U.S. Steel and the Alexander Construction Company as partners. The plan called for a community of 38 steel-framed homes. Only seven were built, in the Racquet Club Estates neighborhood, before rising steel costs ended the project. The surviving houses are now celebrated as a rare snapshot of a residential concept that never came to be.
What buildings did Donald Wexler design in Palm Springs?
His portfolio includes the original Palm Springs International Airport terminal, the Merrill Lynch building, the Royal Hawaiian Estates condominium community (1960), which has earned Class 1 Historic designation, the Dinah Shore Residence (1964), El Rancho Vista Estates (1959-60), designed with partner Richard Harrison, the Ellerman Medical Building (1969) and Professional Park (1960-64).
Where did Donald Wexler live?
Wexler designed his own family home in 1955 in Movie Colony East. The post-and-beam house was featured in the Los Angeles Times Home magazine within a few years of completion. It has since earned a Class 1 Historic Resource designation, and after a restoration it was washed in a custom Wexler White paint. PS Properties represented the home in its sale for $3.57 million.
What are the hallmarks of Donald Wexler’s architecture?
Wexler’s work is recognizable for steel framing, exposed post-and-beam construction used as a visible design element, expansive glass, deep roof overhangs with deep eaves to shield the house and outdoor living areas from the sun, and breeze blocks that block heat while allowing air to flow.
PS Properties, also known as Patrick Stewart Properties, has been serving the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley area for more than 20 years. Principals Patrick Jordan and Stewart Smith guide a team of experts who specialize in offering clients guidance when buying or selling distinctive modern, luxury, architecturally-significant or historically-significant homes. In a rare class of Palm Springs area realtors, PS Properties has been included in the $100 million club for three years running and has accrued more than $1 billion in real estate transactions. Learn more at https://www.patrickstewartproperties.com/.
