Movie Colony East

The Wexler Residence – a historical and architectural landmark in Movie Colony East. This class 1 historic property underwent a museum-quality restoration in three separate phases from 2007-2026. Built in 1955, the Wexler Residence served as Donald Wexler’s own home for nearly forty years. Tucked away on a private third-of-an-acre in Movie Colony East, the property carries the prestigious National Register of Historic Places designation and is a Palm Springs Class 1 Historic Resource, bringing substantial property tax savings through the Mills Act. While Wexler is legendary for his “machine-age” steel houses and the Palm Springs International Airport, he took a much softer, more organic approach with his own residence. Influenced by his time apprenticing for giants like Richard Neutra and William F. Cody, he opted for an all-wood post-and-beam system. This signature style created a flexible, open floor plan that could expand or contract as his family grew. The architecture effectively erases the boundary between indoors and out, with interior walls that seem to pierce through floor-to-ceiling glass, drawing the eye toward the desert landscape and the deep overhangs that keep the midday sun at bay.The home’s current steward has done a remarkable job of preserving its soul while bringing it into the 21st century. In a rare “full circle” moment, Donald Wexler himself collaborated with architect Lance O’Donnell and designer Darren Brown on a total remodel that earned the Palm Springs Modern Committee’s Residential Restoration of the Year Award. They managed to keep the original vertical fir siding and spun metal lighting while introducing sleek new terrazzo floors, marble slabs, and high-end European fixtures in the kitchen and baths. Every detail was considered, right down to the “Wexler White” paint that unifies the entire structure. Beyond the aesthetics, the home is fully equipped for modern life with a new roof, updated HVAC, and a solar system. The grounds are a complete retreat, entirely hidden from the street by a tall perimeter hedge. Once you’re inside the gates, the space opens up to a landscape of ancient boulders and native plants, likely the work of Antone Dalu, who worked on most of Wexler’s 1950s projects. A striking black-bottom pool and detached spa sit in the center of it all, offering clear views of the San Jacinto mountains and a sense of total seclusion just blocks from Ruth Hardy Park.