Palm Springs shows off with his past, there is no other place in the US with such an amazing Retro Architecture and Design. This little desert town attracts a lot of visitors, everybody is eager to learn the great era of the Sixties and Seventies where all the glamour of Hollywood came to have the best party of the year.
All the famous Hollywood people spent their weekends in the Coachella Valley with Palm Springs, Palm Desert or Rancho Mirage because it was so near to their studios and they were asked to stay nearby just in case. So the crowds were meeting at the pools, the golf clubs und endless invitations to party. Some villas were just made to entertain like the “Twin Palms Estate” of Frank Sinatra, who was raising a flag on a palm tree to show: it is time for martinis! There was a lot work for the post-war architects because everyone wanted a house, a nicer than the neighbour.
Endless View The Scenery of the Coachella Valley surrounded by the San Jacinto Mountains is really overwhelming und everybody wants to enjoy the view. So all the houses have only one floor, huge windows, several bedrooms and very important in the heat of the desert, a nice pool to cool down. The most famous House of Palm Springs belonged to Edgar Kaufmann from Pittsburgh, the owner of Kaufmann Department Store und is named the “Kaufmann House” designed 1946 by the austrian architect Richard Neutra. Another icon of architecture “Falling Water” near Pittsburgh belonged as well to Kaufmann and was built by the famous Frank Lloyd Wright.
Wonderful Houses in Mid Century Modern
The famous Alexanders George and Robert Alexander, Father and Son, were constructing about 2200 Holiday homes between 1947 and 1965, often designed by the architects William Krisel und Dan Palmer. The Number One of an Alexander House is the Villa Vista las Palmas, where Elisabeth Taylor und Richard Burton spent their holidays. Today yon can rent it for vacation.
The idea of the Alexander Construction Company was to offer a convenient house for some holidayweeks. A simple structure, straight lines, huge windows and very often it varies only in the shape of the roof, with an entrance on the right or left side. Normally they were built in a wooden structure only seven Alexanders were made from steel and glas, the price was unbelievable 15 000$. But those times are over and today you can make a lot of money out of these simple houses. More than 500 000 $ may be offered.
In Vista Las Palmas you find this unusual home.
There is no better advertisement for the Mekka of Mid Century Architecture than the Visitors Center of Palm Springs on Highway 101.
Sunnylands Resort Mitte der 1960ziger Jahre beauftragte der Verleger Walter Annenberg den Architekten Quincy Jones mit dem Bau einer Ferienresidenz in Mid Century Modern – Stil. Das weitläufige Anwesen in Rancho Mirage wurde zu einem Treffpunkt der Reichen und Mächtigen. Heute kann man das Haus mit einer Tour besichtigen, die Tickets gibt es nur online. 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Tel. 0760 202 2222 www.sunnylandsorg
In the Nowhere of Snow Creek you can find this exciting little home, now in the property of the daughter of singer Leonard Cohen.
Snow Creek Some good miles away from Palm Springs, you must know the turn to Snow Creek. There is no sign, just an old wooden cross. Only 39 homes are here, very popular for intellectuals brains who have little interest in the society but want to enjoy the half-desert of Coachella as near as possible.
Palm Springs Modern Tours You can’t find anyone better than Robert Imber, not only his amazing knowledge of Mid Century Architecture but as well all the nice stories about houses and owners make his tour the most enjoyable. Max. 6 people, at 9.30 am and 1.30 pm, 85$ per person, the tour lasts 3 hours. Tel. 0760 318 6118. www.palmspringsmoderntours.com
App Who likes to be on his own, there is an App Palm Springs Modern.
Modernism Week Palm Springs has only 45 000 inhabitants but surprises with so many Mid Century Modern architecture . 2015 Palm Springs wllcomes the 10th anniversary of the Modernism Week and there are more than 80 events on the recommended is the tour of the House on the Annenberg Resort in Rancho Mirage or Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate or the residence of the architect Albert Frey. There is as well an artfair. Feb 12-22, 2015 www.modernismweek.com
To live where?
Riviera Palm Springs Hotel A dream of colour and a lot of Seventies – Design, this hotel is for sure to give you an idea of swinging Palm Springs. 1600 North Indian Canyon Drive Tel. 0866 588 8311. www.psriviera.com
The Horizon Hotel There are 22 rooms in the bungalows and I was thrilled by the charming architecture of the Alexanders. You have to live in to get the feeling of those famous Palm Springs holiday homes. The complex was designed 1952 by the architect William Cody as family home for the “Lassie”- producer Jack Warther. After a time -consuming renovation it opened 2006 as hotel with a wonderful story behind. 1050 East Palm Canyon Drive, tel. 0760 323 1858. www.thehorizonhotel.com
Where to eat?
Circa 59 The Restaurant in the Hotel Riviera Palm Springs is well known for his american style – cuisine like steaks or grilled tuna. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.psriviera.com
Johannes Restaurant The Restaurant of Johannes Bacher in the center of Palm Spring is the best place for Gourmets. Raised in Austria, he is the most famous Chef in the Coachella Valley. On his menu you can find international and austrian dishes like the half roasted duck or the Wiener Schnitzel or Cheese Spaetzeln. But to start you have to choose a martini, it is tradition in Palm Springs. 196 South Indian Canyon Drive, Tel. 0760 778 0017. www.johannesrestaurants.com
On North Palm Canyon Drive there are the nice shops. No problem to park your car and then into the amazing boutiques. Look out for the retro design.
A La MOD Exciting furniture from the Fifties to the Seventies und Sixties you can find in the spacious store of James Claude und Miguel Linares. For me it was simply a journey back to the days of my grandparents and parents. Wonderful quality and unforgettable design. 844 N Palm Canyon Drive, Tel. 0760 327 0707. www.alamodps.com
The Deja Vu Room Who spends the holidays in an Alexander home, should be dressed properly. Have a look into the Deja Vu Room of William Miller, an interior designer with a lot of fun for fashion. He is offering the outfits of Forties to the Eighties. 664 North Palm Canyon Drive, Tel.0760 699 5395. www.dejavuroom.com
Golf There are more than 100 golf courses in Coachella Valley.
Indian Canyons Golf Built 1961, Frank Sinatra and Walt Disney teed off here. Two Courses (North and South) waiting for you with wonderful views to the mountains. Interesting as well for the fans of architecture, the Club House was designed by Albert Frey. Along the freeways you see many residences in the new Mid Century Modern. 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive, Tel. 0760 833 8704. Greenfee 99 – 125$. www.indiancanyonsgolf.com
Escena Golf Resort One of the newly built Golf courses in Palm Springs with a nice club house and excellent facilities. As well like other golf courses in the US you find a big offer of residences, I personally like the Mid Century – Homes of the company Altaverda. 1100 Clubhouse View Drive, Tel. 0760 778 2737. www.escenagolf.com
a bit of culture besides Mid Century Modern
Palm Springs Art Museum It did start 1938 with a small room and his name was Palm Springs Desert Museum. Finally 1975 the museum could move in his actual building. The collection has a lot of american art, mostly donations. But quite a few exhibitions are very ambitious. 101 North Museum Drive, Tel. 0760 322 4800. Open Tu- So 10am -5 pm. www.psmuseum.org
There is a lot of fun in Palm Springs ! More Infos www.visitpalmsprings.com
