1272 E. Verbena Drive, Palm Springs | Movie Colony East
If a home could be featured in Fashion Week, among the sleek models walking down runways with esteemed critics absorbing the tone a look sets for a season, the Wexler Residence would be included. Not only a trendsetter, the Wexler Residence set a bar for desert modernism.
It’s chic, yes. And poised. And its striking presence is evocative of showstopping looks that command everyone’s full attention.
The Wexler Residence is, in fact, a model not only for its time but for Wexler’s architectural legacy. Built in the Palm Springs community known as Movie Colony East, the Wexler Residence has earned a Class 1 Historic designation, thanks in part to a museum-quality restoration effort that was completed over several years in three phases. That Class 1 designation also carries with it significant property tax savings through the Mills Act.
It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Most notably, the home was built using a post-and-beam type of construction. Setting it apart from other similarly constructed homes, the Wexler Residence features a post-and-double-beam structure, which became a calling card for Wexler throughout his architectural career.
View the Wexler Residence listing
The Work Of Master Architect Donald Wexler
Donald Wexler was among a class of esteemed architects who had been educated in Minnesota at a time when modern lines and modernist design were gaining traction. Upon moving to Los Angeles after graduating from college, Wexler spent some formative time working under renowned architect Richard Neutra, before moving to Palm Springs to work alongside architect William Cody.
Every step Wexler took further enmeshed him in the desert modernism fervor that had been building at the time.
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 concepted 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.
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 steel framing, exposed post-and-beams, expansive glass, deep roof overhangs and breeze blocks — all of which served as a response to the desert climate and were instilled as classic modernist elements.
When he designed his own home, in Movie Colony East, he took a bit of a design detour.
A Home Designed For The Wexler Family
With an adoration for post-and-beam construction, Wexler incorporated that within the design of the home he had created for his own family — with two notable edits. The post-and-beam for the home would be a post-and-double-beam cadence, and steel would not be involved. At the time that the home was designed in 1954 and built in 1955, Wexler had become enamored with a new type of plywood.
Ever interested in using innovative materials, and bridging the gap between the built and organic world, Wexler utilized that plywood extensively throughout the L-shaped structure.
Wexler was also acutely aware of how families change over time, which prompted him to design the home in a way that allows for reconfigurations. The original footprint included two bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with living and kitchen spaces. Several non-bearing walls in the home were moveable, creating a uniquely flexible floorplan.
Floor-to-ceiling glass was utilized extensively, essentially erasing the barrier between indoor and outdoor environments. And clerestory windows were strategically positioned to add even more natural light. Topped with a flat roof, the home’s deep overhangs provide shade for the exposed windows while tying a fashionable bow on an iconic modernist design.
Restoring The Wexler Residence To Prominence
Multiple restoration efforts, anchored with thoughtful preservation in mind, have returned the Wexler Residence to its glory — with modern elements that reflect the passage of time. One of the earliest restoration periods included input and collaboration from Wexler himself.
Terrazzo flooring was installed throughout, and the kitchen was updated with sleek minimalist finishes, from washed cabinetry to premium appliances. An inviting soaking tub, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass that offers views of a manicured desert landscape, illustrates how modern influences were introduced to complement the home’s vintage spirit.
Most notably, the home has been washed in a custom palette of Wexler White, giving it a sleek finish and offering a canvas against which the verdant desert landscape can contrast. Vertical fir siding and tongue-and-groove ceilings endure, allowing the home’s midcentury legacy to pierce its modern footing.
A Home Built Into A Landscape
Beyond the glass walls of the Wexler Residence is a vibrant desert landscape that feels within reach at every turn. Century-old olive trees and mature agave supply splashes of green against the home’s white exterior, and its onyx-bottom swimming pool provides a cool retreat in every sense of the word.
Other thoughtful design elements include discreet solar panels, and a drainage and roof system designed specifically for the desert climate. Mature palms, a lush hedge, and a series of large boulders round out the sleek landscape that cushions the home.
The Movie Colony East Neighborhood
The Wexler Residence is embedded in the Movie Colony East neighborhood in Palm Springs, which is adjacent to what is considered the “ultra-exclusive” Old Movie Colony neighborhood. The community is anchored by Ruth Hardy Park, which offers open green space and recreation areas, including tennis and pickleball courts, as well as basketball courts.
Movie Colony East has a more neighborly feel than the community next door, likely for its open and more suburban layout. And it was once known as a getaway for Golden Age stars like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. It’s fair to say that Movie Colony East has a way of blending a relaxed desert lifestyle with the spirit of its Hollywood legacy in an accessible way.
The 700 or so homes in Movie Colony East primarily feature midcentury modern design, much like the Wexler Residence, and Spanish Colonial Revival.
The PS Properties Connection
At PS Properties, we have a certain affection for the Wexler Residence. As real estate professionals who appreciate the value of historic preservation and architectural significance, it is impossible not to see the distinct value the Wexler Residence offers the greater Palm Springs architectural scene.
At 2,424 square feet, the three-bedroom home is a testimony to midcentury design. And we were honored to represent this architectural gem when it sold recently for $3.57 million. Its sleek finishes, exposed beams and floating walls serve as a truly unique specimen of architectural design. Its contribution to what was, at the time, an experimental period for home building in Palm Springs, where permissive zoning, proximity to Hollywood, and an enviable winter climate were attractive, can’t be overstated.
Wexler’s expressive design elements, including floor-to-ceiling glass, block screens and post-and-beam construction, became cemented as the midcentury design calling cards for which Palm Springs is known — alongside equally important contributions from William Krisel and Albert Frey.
To be exposed to these architectural greats, and to be able to share their magic with potential buyers, is one of the great privileges we enjoy as Palm Springs real estate professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Donald Wexler and what did he design?
Donald Wexler was a master architect of Palm Springs desert modernism. He trained under Richard Neutra in Los Angeles, then worked with William F. Cody in Palm Springs. His portfolio includes the original Palm Springs International Airport terminal, the Merrill Lynch building, the Royal Hawaiian Estates condominium community and the experimental Steel Development Houses.
Is the Wexler Residence a historic landmark?
Yes, twice over. The Wexler Residence has earned a Class 1 Historic designation from the city of Palm Springs, thanks in part to a museum-quality restoration completed in three phases, and it is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Class 1 designation carries significant property tax savings through the Mills Act.
What is post-and-double-beam construction?
The Wexler Residence uses a post-and-double-beam structure, a variation on standard post-and-beam construction that became a Wexler calling card. When he designed his own home he deliberately left steel out of it, using instead a new type of plywood he had become enamored with, applied extensively throughout the L-shaped structure.
What is Wexler White?
Wexler White is the custom paint color the residence is washed in. It gives the house a sleek finish and provides a canvas against which the verdant desert landscape contrasts through the floor-to-ceiling glass. Vertical fir siding and tongue-and-groove ceilings survive from the original construction.
Where is the Wexler Residence and what is the neighborhood like?
The house sits at 1272 E. Verbena Drive in Movie Colony East, next to the ultra-exclusive Old Movie Colony. The neighborhood is anchored by Ruth Hardy Park and holds roughly 700 homes, primarily midcentury modern and Spanish Colonial Revival. The three-bedroom, 2,424-square-foot residence sold for $3.57 million.
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/.
