Meet Local Artist Tysen Knight Thu, February 10, 2022 by Randy Garner The Brilliant Benches of Palm Springs There is a direct line between art and society. The simple swoop of a brushstroke can connect the viewer and the creator, the public and the private. Artistic expression is a two-way street that invites observation and reflection, and nobody understands this dichotomy better than Tysen Knight. “I describe my style as pop urban art with a little splash of fine art in there,” Tysen explains. “I draw inspiration from all those different mediums. I started out as like a graffiti artist and painting on jeans for kids at school when I was in high school and things of that nature. But I was still fascinated with fine art so I can kind of blend those together. I can do fine art. I can do pop art. I can do graffiti art, so I just came up with my own coin, my own phrase: pop urban art.” Tysen’s aesthetic is transforming the benches around town into veritable conversation pieces. Their electric array of colors invigorates our already iconic landscape. “Palm Springs definitely has his own unique, actually beautiful style. I think the modernism and the architecture is amazing. I just feel as though I was able to bring a style that was different and we were able to kind of gel it together.” Fans of the bench makeover initiative will be fascinated to learn that the concept began on a different medium altogether: film. “I came up with an idea to produce a street art documentary,” recounts Tysen. “I submitted it to film festivals and they got selected for the AmDocs Film Festival right here Palm Springs at the Camelot Theater.” The trip down memory lane continues as Tysen narrates, “Russell Pritchard from the Palm Springs Arts Commission came to the screening of my documentary.” The two collaborators melded their visions for bringing passionate creativity to public spaces in the form of bench murals. “We were able to get it all laid out and I started in July of 2019, the hottest day of the summer,” Tysen notes with a reflective chuckle. Though the artist’s ideas were grand, he had to start small. “They granted the funds and they gave the approval to do it as a test pilot project, just to see how the community reacted to it and the business owners, because that was very important to get everyone involved. The first set of benches, I did 11, the first set was kind of, they wanted icons.” Tysen depicted such luminary figures as Elvis, Marilyn, and Warhol in his first round of creations, but he also mixed in some of his personal inspirations. The inaugural series of bench art included Basquiat and Keith Haring, to name a few. “Most people knew who Andy Warhol was, but they weren’t too familiar with Keith Haring and Basquiat, so I think that was something that we was able to educate people on who those artists were, and along with having like Judy Garland and just kind of that really old school chic Palm Springs feel. I think we did a good job mixing, blended them all together.” As always, Tysen masters the art of understatement. His bench endeavor isn’t just a good job; it’s an outlet for dozens of tastemakers chosen by Tysen himself. “We were able to employ over 40 something artists. And I looked around, searched on the Internet and I was looking around and I didn’t see any other city that did this to this magnitude.” For Tysen Knight, the power of painting lies in the delicate relationship between the audience and the artwork. “A lot of artists and people here that do appreciate different genres of art, they’ve just probably never been exposed to it. So I think that’s a good thing that we’re able to expose people to other forms of art and they get an understanding of it. I think that’s a really cool thing.” Ever humble, Tysen credits his team of dreamweavers with the success of the popular bench project. “Just being able to bring other artists into the fold and just kind of, not changing the whole dynamic of the art scene here, but just adding more layers and elements.” Harnessing the majesty of the moment, Tysen concludes, “I feel like we’re just on the cusp of making history in Palm Springs.” And you have a front-row seat to our history as it continues to be made. We saved a bench for you. By Kevin Perry See All Of Them You Make Also Like: The Art of Palm Springs
Boutiques at La Plaza Palm Springs Tue, February 8, 2022 by Randy Garner By Melissa Daniels Palm Springs is a shopper’s delight – one could spend an entire weekend wandering in and out of shops downtown checking out stylish clothes and funky gifts that you won’t find anywhere else. So where is a fashion-forward traveler to begin? For the shopper who wants something unique – or those who are eager to support locally owned businesses – look no further than La Plaza Palm Springs. This center served as the first of its kind outdoor shopping center when it opened in 1936. It sits on the site of the first hotel in Palm Springs. It continues to be a trendy shopping district frequented by locals and visitors alike. Here are a few highlights of boutiques you’ll find when you head to La Plaza Palm Springs: White Llama Since opening up in February 2021, White Llama has become a hit with shoppers who can’t help but stop when they walk by the colorful store window displays. Owner Raul Osorio curates this fine collection of Alpaca wool clothing and tapestries from artisans in Peru, where he’s originally from. The shop has an intimate feel despite being a larger storefront in the area, with no shortage of warmth and color on every display. Clothing items include thick and cozy ponchos, colorful sweaters, and crocheted dresses. You’ll also find a great selection of children’s clothes, scarves, and Alpaca wool accessories like socks and gloves that make for the perfect gift back from your travels – whether to a loved one, or to yourself! TRU Self Care Boutique For cutting-edge casual fashions with a distinctly Coachella Valley vibe, look no further TRU Self Care Boutique. This family-owned and Latina-owned shop opened up in La Plaza in 2021. Their first spot opened a year earlier in the city of Coachella. Jonathan Trujillo, who helps run the boutiques, said they specialize in seeking out unique items you can’t find anywhere else — and once you’re in, you’ll see why. Shoppers will find a lovingly-curated selection of chic items from Mexican artists and designers, including flowing peasant skirts, on-trend items like oversized jackets, and cropped tees with empowering themes. These are the kind of items you won’t find anywhere else, like denim vests with an embroidered silhouette of Frieda Kahlo, Knit bags, gemstone jewelry, adorned flat-brimmed hats, and natural skin care items from Latina-owned brands. TRU Self Care truly has something to make everyone shine. Mercado Plaza Across the street from La Plaza you’ll find Mercado Plaza, which is home to several other fun boutiques to scope out. For the trendy fashionista who wants to come home with something luxe and lovely, Prickly Pear Boutique is locally owned and operated. They specialize in women’s boutique quintessential leisurely looks: think soft and flowing maxi dresses, silky blouses, and fuzzy sweaters. An array of swimsuits, hats, sunglasses and delicate jewelry will leave you walking away feeling comfortable and glamorous at the same time. Mercado Plaza is also home to British Invasion, a longstanding downtown Palm Springs retailer. Here you’ll find a colorful and comfortable array of men and women’s vacation wear imported from the United Kingdom. It’s a go-to stop for a new sundress for your al fresco dinner, patterned loafers to jazz up an outfit, or fun printed button-downs to pair with a casual suit. On the other side of the plaza you’ll spot Mario’s of Palm Springs. It’s a great choice for women’s wear like colorful silk tops and summer-weight wraps. They also have a wide selection of chunky necklaces, fun handbags and scarves for shoppers looking for that perfect last-minute accessory before their next downtown event. Bonus tip: Vintage consoussiers at La Plaza will want to cross over Indian Canyon Boulevard to hit up Mitchell’s for men and women’s vintage fashion. You can scope out a variety of designer vintage items and perfect your retro Palm Springs look. Plus, it’s a great place tp scout out high-end vintage designer bags and shoes.
Spots for Healthy Eats in Palm Springs Mon, January 24, 2022 by Randy Garner By Melissa Daniels Sometimes a vacation invites the perfect opportunity to adopt healthy lifestyle habits – and that definitely rings true in Palm Springs, where the fresh air, hiking trails and outdoor activities can reinvigorate your mind, body and soul. That goes for dining choices, too — the Palm Springs restaurant has a bevy of choices for healthy and clean eats. Here are a few of our top local picks: Chef Tanya’s Kitchen Ask any vegan or health-conscious eater where to dine in Palm Springs, and Chef Tanya’s Kitchen is sure to be at the top of their list. Since 2017, their tasty and flavorful variety of vegan fare includes housemade tempeh burgers, and veggie-topped sandwiches of unique varieties of seitan and seasoned tofu. Salads, sandwiches and wraps are tasty enough to win over anyone who is still skeptical that vegan fare can pack a punch. Vegans and vegetarians who tire of salads or portobello sandwiches will be delighted by the variety: don’t miss the Chupacabra chick’n which features crispy seitan filets topped with avocado, cilantro, house-pickled jalapeños, shredded cabbage, tomato, onion, and the irresistible Chupacabra sauce on a toasted torpedo roll. Nature’s Health Food & Cafe Head over to Sunrise Way to enjoy the latest menu offerings from Nature’s Health Food & Cafe, which has been serving up vegan and vegetarian fare since the early 1990s. From tacos and quesadillas to hearty pastas and stir-frys, the menu features locally-sourced vegetables and infusions of regional flavor – plus a variety of choices for “Soup of the Day,” or “Beans of the Day.” This spot is also one of the go-to spots for fresh juices and smoothies – and fun sweet treats like vegan cheesecake or shakes! Don’t miss the date shake featuring dates from the famous Shield’s Date Garden. Fun features: Their outdoor patio is a perfect spot to enjoy your meal. There’s also an adjacent market where you can pick up a variety of your favorite healthy foods and products. Vegan Burger with roasted cauliflower and chickpeas. Palm Greens Cafe After a morning seeking mid-century modern treasures at the nearby furniture stores, a stop at Palm Greens Cafe in Sun Center is the perfect stop to refuel. The extensive menu offers something for everyone: an array of salads, sandwiches, bowls and entrees offer healthy choices for vegetarians or meat-eaters alike without the use of any additives, preservatives or high-fructose corn syrup. Palm Greens opens at 8 a.m. for those seeking healthy and hearty breakfast choices like gluten-free french toast topped with fresh berries, or a root veggie hash chock full of greens and eggs. Flexible choices: Dine on site indoors or outdoors, or take your order to-go! Source: Uprooted Traveler Fruit Wonders Palm Springs Fruit Wonders is a family-owned juice bar on the downtown strip in Palm Springs that has a great supply of fresh juices, acai bowls, homemade paletas, smoothies and packaged snacks that are the perfect options for travelers looking for a healthy treat. Looking to be refreshed after a sunny stroll? Cool off with a cucumber lemon spinach fresca, or a sweet and icy homemade pitaya paleta. There’s also a variety of vegan snacks to take to-go, making Fruit Wonders the perfect stop for a pre- and post-hiking snack fix. And for those who are looking for a unique boost to the energy levels, try out a wellness shot — a tasty concoction of green apple, celery, lemon, ginger and cayenne pepper. Order online: On the go? Put your order in online and then swing by to pick it up! Zadie Cafe Boasting an impressive array of dishes inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the Mediterranean, every bite is a celebration of flavors and textures. From freshly prepared salads bursting with seasonal ingredients to hearty mains that satisfy even the most discerning palate, each dish is thoughtfully crafted to showcase the best of the region’s cuisine. Zadie Café is located inside the Hilton Palm Springs hotel. Native Foods Native Foods is a local favorite that’s 100% plant based and 100% yummy. Located in the old section of Smoktree Village (1775 E Palm Canyon Drive, Ste #420). With such dishes as Backyard BBQ, Bowl, The Real Nashville Hot, and Spicy Cauliflower Dippers, you will love this comfort food. Their food is homemade with ingredients that are often bought locally or brought in from sustainable suppliers, non-GMO, and organic whenever possible.
Palm Springs Architecture Tours with Trevor O’Donnell Fri, January 21, 2022 by Randy Garner Building a Legacy: Tour the Architecture of Palm Springs By Kevin Perry We are all time travelers. Every locale we visit, every interaction we experience, and every project we create adds to our cultural landscape. With each action, we connect the past to the future. History continues to unfold all around us, and nowhere is it more vibrant than in Palm Springs. Meet Your Tour Guide “We have this extraordinary collection of fine midcentury modern architecture,” narrates Trevor O’Donnell of PS Architecture Tours. Clarifying, Trevor takes a step back and surveys his domain. “It’s what we now call midcentury modern architecture, dating from the forties through the early seventies. All of it suffered when Palm Springs went through its economic downturn in the late seventies through the early nineties. But when midcentury modern style came back into vogue, people like me and hundreds of others came out and found these classic modernist homes. We began the process of rescuing them or renovating them or restoring them. In the process, we formed a community here of avid modernism fans.” Modernism Week Meanwhile, a group of design devotees from the Palm Springs Art Museum were also honing their passion for construction. In 2006, they planted their flag in the temperate climate of February and founded Modernism Week, a celebration of the architecture that shapes our city’s unique personality. Events, education, engagement and excitement exploded. Modernism Week became an internationally renowned gathering, drawing experts and observers into its allure. Trevor and his contemporaries helped establish a thriving menu of tours through the intricacies of our infrastructure. From the spark of inspiration to the enduring influence of our retro-futuristic aesthetic, Palm Springs offers eye-popping vistas aplenty. Modest Modernist Gem, 1962, Albert Frey Architect. Photo Credit: Trevor O’Donnell Expanded Palm Springs Architecture Tours But how can visitors grasp all that sprawls before them? The answer: it’s impossible. That’s why collaboration and coordination are the keys to a successful sojourn into the realm of architecture. “I approached Modernism Week,” recounts Trevor. “There was more demand for my tours than I could satisfy. I wanted to expand, but I didn’t want do it alone and I wanted it to be a more community-centered process. So I reached out to Modernism Week and said, ‘If you’re at all interested in expanding outside of your festival programming, we should talk about getting together and seeing if we can’t produce these tours jointly.’ And that’s pretty much how it originated.” The result: a mini-coach tour with maximum impact. Book Your Architecture Tour by Modernism Week Classic Custom Home, 1960, Clair Earl Architect. Photo Credit: Trevor O’Donnell Trevor ranks #1 on Tripadvisor’s list of Palm Springs cultural guides. Pair that with the notoriety and cache of Modernism Week that brings scores of style enthusiasts flocking to our fair berg every year and it all adds up to a truly transcendent time. You will get the star treatment while exploring the stars’ homes. After all, Palm Springs emerged as Hollywood’s Playground during the entertainment industry’s golden age. Some of the Tinseltown’s most luminous celebrities cavorted in homes designed by the sharpest structural minds in architecture. “We visit the Kaufmann House,” Trevor announces, “Richard Neutra’s modernist masterpiece. The Kaufmann House was commissioned by the same family that asked Frank Lloyd Wright to build Falling Water in Pennsylvania. Falling Water, of course, is one of the greatest works of architecture in the world. That same family built a Palm Springs house. And today that house is considered Richard Neutra’s masterpiece and it too ranks among the greatest modernist houses in the world.” Kaufmann Residence, 1946. Photo Credit: Trevor O’Donnell His voice brims with excitement as he rhetorically asks himself where to venture next. “What else? Beautiful tract home developments by the Alexander Construction Company. Everyone in Palm Springs knows these houses, there are over 2,000 of them, but visitors love these neighborhoods that are just filled with hundreds of beautifully renovated classic midcentury modern designs. We explore some lesser known things, some odd balls and ruins of buildings that didn’t make it. There’s a wonderful chunk of an old hotel that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, Frank Lloyd Wright Jr., right in the heart of downtown. So it’s a way to show people the city of Palm Springs through a local insider’s eyes.” Alexander Company Tract Home, 1958, Charles DuBois Architect. Photo Credit: Trevor O’Donnell Trevor’s perspective is infectious. His guests are ushered into a Modernism Week that reverberates throughout the year and back through the ages. But as ebullient an ambassador as he is for Palm Springs, Trevor also draws his inspiration from another American city. “Chicago is known around the world for having developed one of the best architecture tour programs. And it’s a nonprofit and it’s promoted by the city as a valuable part of what it means to visit Chicago. And we feel very strongly that this can do the same thing for Palm Springs.” Punctuating his point, Trevor explains, “What’s most important to me is that this be a community centered initiative.” Coachella Valley Savings & Loan (now Chase Bank), 1961, E. Stewart Williams Architect. Photo Credit: Trevor O’Donnell Preserving the Palm Springs Legacy The word community pops up mirthfully and meaningfully several times during our conversation. It is the cornerstone of Trevor’s life work. He excavates the creative foundations of our hometown and mines fascination from every edifice. “It’s an exploration of history and architecture in Palm Springs. It’s designed for visitors to give them an introduction to why Palm Springs is here and how this incredible modern architecture emerged in the middle of the 20th century. It involves more than just modern architecture though; it involves all architecture from Spanish colonial revival to contemporary. We talk a lot about some of the talented architects who are carrying forward this modernist idea.” And with an effortless flourish, Trevor has passed the baton from vintage to vanguard. He is preserving our legacy for subsequent generations of builders and dreamers. Welcome to Modernism Week revisited… welcome to Palm Springs. Book Your Architecture Tour by Modernism Week
Immerse Your Meeting Group in Palm Springs’ Cultural Experiences Wed, January 19, 2022 by Randy Garner Want a meeting destination that offers your group cultural experiences unlike any other? Look no further than the Palm Springs Convention Center (PSCC). The History of the Agua Caliente Indians – Hot Mineral Springs The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have been conscientious keepers of the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Springs, located in downtown Palm Springs. The name “Palm Springs” is derived from these hot springs and the grove of indigenous palm trees that surrounded it. The water from the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring is estimated to be upwards of 12,000 years old and is truly unique as it contains a mineral make-up that has not been found anywhere else in the world. For the Tribe, the springs are a source of deeper healing. Sec he is a place to recharge and connect with the place and the spirits. Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza The new Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza will be an exciting hub for cultural tourism that features a new Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. It will also include The Spa at Séc-he that celebrates the sacred Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring. Additional features include a Gathering Plaza, gardens and an Oasis Trail. The new cultural plaza is located at the corner of N. Indian Canyon Drive and E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in downtown Palm Springs. Learn more about the new and upcoming cultural attractions for groups to experience around the PSCC. Events at the Palm Springs Cultural Center The Palm Springs Cultural Center includes a wide range of programs including film festivals, farmers’ markets, live performances, art installations and lecture series. The Center serves as a community hub for diversity, inclusion and entertainment while fulfilling a mission to nurture, produce and encourage arts and cultural programs—believing they can be transformative and are vital to the overall health and productivity of our community. Located on the Center campus is Camelot Theatre. The three-screen movie house and entertainment complex is known to be one of the desert’s premier movie theater and is part of the citywide Palm Springs International Film Festival. Learn more more about the Palm Springs Cultural Center and their programming. Experience Culture at the Palm Springs Art Museum Credit: Palm Springs Art Museum Founded in 1938, the Palm Springs Art Museum is dedicated to creating memorable and inspiring interactions through educational and cultural opportunities. Located in downtown Palm Springs, the museum’s extensive permanent collection includes significant works by western, contemporary and glass artists, and features temporary exhibitions from internationally acclaimed artists. Discover the new Palm Springs downtown park in front of the museum and and stay hollo to the Marilyn Monroe. Street Names Paint a Picture of Palm Springs’ Past Credit: Mod Traveler The streets of Palm Springs tell it all. As your group strolls, bikes and drives through the city, be sure to note some of the street names—many of which include a plethora of business savvy Elders of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Just to name a few… Arenas Road – Named for Lee Arenas, whose lawsuit, Arenas vs. United States, resulted in the 1944 U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting tribal members the right to own and sell individual parcels of Tribal land—ushering in dramatic city growth and allowing the City of Palm Springs to buy the Tribal acreage that houses the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). Patencio Road – Honors the principals of the Patencio family, one of the oldest families of the Agua Caliente Tribe. Pablo Drive – Honors Will Pablo, who in 1914 collaborated with ethnographers and documented much of what has become the modern understanding of the Cahuilla culture. See more street names and the game-changing Cahuilla Elders they honor. Palm Springs Cultural Outdoor Oasis Located just minutes from downtown Palm Springs and on Agua Caliente tribal land, the Indian Canyons are a must-see for meeting groups wanting a historical and recreational cultural experience. Undisturbed natural beauty is combined with remarkably easy access to the three distinct canyons—including Murray Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Palm Canyon. The Indian Canyons are sacred land for the Agua Caliente people and have valuable historical significance for them. This culturally sensitive environment is open to the public for wonderful outdoor recreation and group experiences. Andreas Canyon Tahquitz Canyon offers a spectacular 60-foot waterfall. The Visitor Center is centrally located at 500 W Mesquite Ave. Add some adventure to your group’s cultural experience on horseback. Smoke Tree Stables can provide your group with a picturesque horseback ride through Andreas or Murray Canyon. Better yet, custom-design a group adventure and include entertainment options, picnic lunches or a western cookout. Year-Round Cultural Events VillageFest takes place in downtown Palm Springs on Palm Canyon Drive every Thursday night. It brings local the valley community together to celebrate culture, food, entertainment, art and shopping—all in one iconic destination made for group experiences. Meet at the PSCC during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15). Palm Springs is proud to celebrate the cultures, contributions and resilience of Latinx, Hispanic and Latino-identified communities and promote education about multiculturalism and the history of the countless contributions. Groups also have the opportunity to attend the annual Native Film Festival in March starring Native Americans and other indigenous people. Gaming and entertainment is also offered daily at the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. Learn more about all the events happening in Palm Springs and see what you could experience during your next meeting at the PSCC. PS We ♡ to Offer Cultural Experiences to Your Meetings! The event services team at the Palm Springs Convention Center will work closely with you to achieve success during your next meeting, event or convention. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning the Palm Springs Convention Center today! [Contact Us] [Submit Your RFP]
Mid-Century Architecture Self-Guided Tour Fri, January 7, 2022 by Randy Garner Learn more about Palm Springs Architecture on this Self-Guided Tour. Palm Springs has one of the world’s largest concentrations of preserved mid-century modern architecture. Talented young visionary architects came to Palm Springs and interpreting Modern architecture in a way that best suited the desert environment and leisure living. Their design talents are celebrated every year during Modernism Week. Let’s explore the architecture through the neighborhoods. Before we begin, a little background. What is Desert Modernism? Desert Modernism is an interpretation of the Modernist or International Style, tailored to suit the Palm Springs indoor/outdoor lifestyle. People flocked to Palm Springs for the stunning fall/winter weather and wanted to spend their time outdoors. Desert Modernism is recognizable by its minimalist, clean lines and the seamless blur of indoor and outdoor space. Rooflines are often flat or butterfly-wing v-shaped (dubbed “butterfly” roofs). Floor plans were open, and there were many windows and sliding glass doors that brought the outside in. Beautiful breeze blocks temper the desert heat and attached carports rather than detached garages fulfilled the need to shelter the automobile. William Cody Notable Architects from the Mid-Twentieth Century Who Practiced in Palm Springs Richard Neutra (1892 – 1970) – Austrian-born, raised, and trained, Neutra immigrated to the U.S. in 1923, where he worked with Frank Lloyd Wright before branching out on his own. Neutra designed homes in Palm Springs, including the Miller Residence (1937) and his masterpiece, The Kaufmann Residence (1946). John Lautner (1911 – 1994) – After training under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, Lautner moved to LA and focused on residential architecture. His distinctive application of the principles of organic architecture culminated in the Palm Springs homes for Arthur Elrod and Bob Hope. These homes are in a gated Southridge community and are not accessible to the public, although the Hope residence can be seen on the side of the mountain from East Palm Canyon Drive. Donald Wexler (1926 – 2015) – Donald Wexler worked for Richard Neutra for a while in LA, then relocated to Palm Springs, where he was employed by William Cody. Wexler partnered with Richard Harrison for a time. Together, they designed many school buildings and the Steel Development Homes for Alexander Construction Company. Other notable designs include the Dinah Shore Residence, the main terminal building at the Palm Springs International Airport, and Royal Hawaiian Estates Condominiums. William “Bill” Krisel (1924 – 2017)—Krisel studied architecture at the University of Southern California and also became a licensed landscape architect. It is estimated that 30,000 residences in Southern California can be attributed to Krisel. As a personal friend of Bob Alexander, he is credited as the architect of record for many Alexander Construction Company developments. E. Stewart Williams (1909 – 2005) – Williams studied at Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania. Some of his notable Palm Springs designs include the Palm Springs Art Museum, Coachella Savings and Loan (now Chase Bank), Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan (now the Art Museum’s architecture and design center), Palm Springs Aerial Tramway station, and Frank Sinatra residence. William Cody (1916 – 1978): Cody studied architecture at the University of Southern California before moving to Palm Springs in 1946. The following year, he designed the Del Marcos Hotel and went on to work on several clubhouses and Country Club developments throughout the Coachella Valley. Cody’s celebrated designs include the Abernathy House, Palm Springs Public Library at Sunrise Park, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, and the L’Horizon Hotel. Albert Frey (1903 – 1998) – Frey established a style of modernist architecture in Palm Springs known as “Desert Modernism.” He worked in Paris for Charles-Edouard Jeanneret (commonly known as Le Corbusier) before moving to the U.S. in 1928. He then worked with New York architect A. Lawrence Kocher in New York City for some years as the managing editor of Architectural Record magazine. A small commission for an office and apartment for Kocher’s brother, Dr. J.J. Kocker, brought Frey to Palm Springs. In California, he worked with architect John Porter Clark. Buildings of note include Frey House I and II and the Tramway Gas Station (now the Palm Springs Visitor Center): the Raymond Loewy Residence, and the Palm Springs City Hall. John Porter Clark (1905 – 1991) – Clark studied architecture at Cornell and apprenticed with Garrett Van Pelt in Pasadena. He relocated to Palm Springs to find more work and is credited as one of the pioneers of “Desert Modernism.” In 1935, Clark met Albert Frey and collaborated on many projects, including the Palm Springs City Hall, the Welwood Murray Memorial Library, Palm Springs Woman’s Club, and St Paul’s in the Desert church. George and Robert Alexander (developer) – The Alexander Construction Company was founded by George Alexander and his father George. They specialized in affordable tract residential developments in Southern California post World War II. The prolific developers helped make second home ownership in Palm Springs affordable to the growing middle class. Their homes are known as the “Alexanders,” though most of the developments’ architecture is credited to William Krisel and Dan Palmer. They also partnered with architects Charles Dubois and Donald Wexler. Alexander developments in Palm Springs include Twin Palms, Vista Las Palmas, Racquet Club Road Estates, Desert Lanai, and Sunmore Estates, among others. Hugh Kaptur (1931 – ) – Kaptur studied architectural engineering at the Lawrence Institute of Technology in Detroit, Michigan. He relocated to Palm Springs in 1956 and apprenticed for Wexler and Harrison. Kaptur is recognized for his design of the Steve McQueen Residence, the William Holden Residence (both gated and private), several home designs for the Ranch Construction Company (now Desert Park Estates Neighborhood), the clubhouse at the Mesquite Golf Course, Tahquitz Plaza office buildings, the Triangle Inn, Fire Station #3 (with Robert Ricciardi) and Fire Station #4, the Musicland Hotel (renovation) among others. Jack Meiselman (developer)—Jack (1899 – 1994) Meiselman developed many single-family homes in and around Palm Springs in the 1950s and 60s. Their homes, designed by a young architectural designer named John “Jack” Moyer, featured many of the same design features and construction methods seen in the post-and-beam homes by the Alexander Development Company. The Meiselmans built approximately 350 homes in Palm Springs. A. Quincy Jones (1913 – 1979)—Jones worked with a slew of modernist architects, including Douglas Honnold, George Vernon Russell, Burton A. Schutt, and Paul Williams. He later partnered with Paul Williams on several Palm Springs projects, including the Palm Springs Tennis Club (1947), the Town & Country Restaurant (1948), and Country Club Estates Condominiums. Palm Springs Self-Guided Architecture Tour This self-guided tour is a mere introduction to the amazing collection of extraordinary buildings in Palm Springs designed during the mid-twentieth century. Many of the architects of these buildings were not well-known. They were young architects, often at the beginning of their careers, who were exposed to many prolific and noteworthy modernist architects. They found eager clients in Palm Springs ready to throw off the tired revivalist and traditional styles and embrace fresh new ideas of the Modern Movement. Begin at the Palm Springs Visitor Center – 2901 N. Palm Canyon Drive Albert Frey designed the Tramway Gas Station, now the Palm Springs Visitor Center. This remarkable Modernist structure was constructed between 1963 and 1965 as a gas station. The roof is constructed of corrugated galvanized steel, spanning over 95 feet, and supported by six steel pipe columns. The dramatic structure was created to draw the attention of motorists entering Palm Springs. In the 1990’s the building was threatened with demolition by the property owners. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and the building was granted Class 1 historic landmark status. Shortly after it became the Palm Springs Visitor Center. There are several architecture books available at the Visitor Center, as well as various gifts and information. For those who want to see even more Palm Springs mid-century architecture than this tour provides, buy a map produced by the Palm Springs Modern Committee. There is also a printed Hollywood Star Home self-guided tour map for purchase, which shows where many of the Hollywood stars lived, which helped make Palm Springs world famous. Tramway Shell Station – (William Cody, architect, constructed 1964) 2796 North Palm Canyon Drive On the east side of Palm Canyon, just south of San Rafael, is another dramatic automobile service station designed by architect William Cody. The station is comprised of an ultra-thin cast-in-place concrete roof. The service bays and attendants’ offices are a simple cubic volume that appears to have been carefully slid under the thin roof plane. Lighting in the canopy was deftly integrated into the roof plane in recessed troffers that had most recently been retrofitted with LED lighting. The buildings’ minimalist design and thin roof profile are a trademark of Cody’s work in the desert. Head down San Rafael Drive across the street from the Visitor Center. Turn right on Indian Canyon Drive and left on East Simms Road. Racquet Club Estates A short distance from the Palm Springs Visitor Center off Indian Canyon Drive is Racquet Club Road Estates, developed by the Alexander Construction Company. Racquet Club Estates boasts the Steel Development homes by Donald Wexler on Sunnyview, Simms, and Molina Roads, dozens of “Alexanders” designed by Palmer & Krisel, and a collection of mid-century homes developed by Jack Meiselman, designed by Jack Moyer . Alexander Construction Company Steel Houses 290 Simms Road 300 and 330 East Molino Road 3100, 3125, 3133 and 3165 North Sunnyview Drive Designed in 1960 by Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison, these pre-fabricated, all-steel homes were to fill an entire neighborhood. However, after seven homes were built, rising steel prices made further homes in this style cost-prohibitive. All seven homes are now Class One historic sites and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Head South on Sunnyview toward Francis Drive Palmer & Krisel designed homes 325 East Francis Drive 388 and 520 Desert Holly Circle 970 East Racquet Club Road 455 and 483 East Francis Drive (flamingo letterbox) A close personal friend of developer Bob Alexander and his family, Krisel came to the Desert at the request of Alexander to design a tract of modernist houses dubbed Smoke Tree Valley (now known as Twin Palms for the pair of palm trees that were included with the completion each of the homes). Other Palmer & Krisel projects include the Ocotillo Lodge, Las Palmas Estates (Vista Las Palmas), Kings Point and Canyon View Estates, and Racquet Club Estates. The “House of Tomorrow,” conceived as an experiment in modern living, impressed Alexander’s wife Helene so that they made it their residence. The house later gained fame as the honeymoon home of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. (1350 Ladera Circle) Head back to Indian Canyon Drive and make a left. Drive approximately one mile. Chino Canyon/ Little Tuscany Estates Grace Lewis Miller Residence (Richard Neutra – 1937) – 2311 N. Indian Canyon Drive Although a tiny home, it combined a dance studio for the owner. It is a good representation of Neutra’s use of simple, flat-roofed forms arranged and adapted to the sun, outdoor space, and the need for coolness and ventilation in the desert. He specialized in extending architectural space into a carefully arranged landscape. Head South on Indian Canyon and make a right on West Vista Chino. Kaptur Court – 262-266 West Vista Chino Kaptur came out of retirement in 2016 and designed three iconic mid-century-style single-family homes, reflecting his own interpretation of mid-century modernism. Turn right on N Via Norte and left on W Chino Canyon Road, then head up the hill. If you stay left, you will pass the home owned by Elvis Presley at 825 W Chino Canyon. Edris Residence ( E. Stewart Williams – 1954) – 1030 W Cielo Drive William and Marjorie Edris had seasonally rented an apartment in one of the Potter Clinic Building’s upstairs apartments at the same time as the Williams family in the late 1940s. The two couples became friends, and in 1953, William Edris hired E. Stewart Williams to design a winter residence. The parcel chosen was located in the rocky area dubbed “Little Tuscany”, located on the lower portion of the Chino Cone alluvial fan. Taking full advantage of the unique location, Williams moved only those boulders necessary to place the house on a flat surface with the goal of integrating as much of the natural environment into the design as possible. Native rock was used for the prominent chimney, which anchored the southeastern portion of the home alongside the floor-to-ceiling wall of glass on the east wall of the living room, which afforded breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley. Almost the entire pool is surrounded by boulders. Dr. Franz Alexander Residence (1956) – 1011 West Cielo Drive Historic, original, and spectacular, this home is a midcentury modern dream. Designed by architect Walter S. White for psychoanalyst Dr. Franz Alexander, the Alexander Residence, appears to hover over the boulders-strewn site. The result is a structure that seamlessly integrates into its natural surroundings, enhancing views of the valley while creating numerous indoor-outdoor connections. . Dramatic architectural elements like V-shaped steel supports, a swooping tongue-and-groove ceiling reaching toward the mountains, plus a double-height atrium—with an open-tread black steel staircase designed by Albert Frey—are but a few of the incredible details that bring the residence to life. Head back down to Vista Chino and make a right. Kaufmann Residence (Richard Neutra – 1946) – 470 West Vista Chino Road Edgar Kaufmann hired Neutra to design a desert home for his family. Frank Lloyd Wright had built Fallingwater for Mr. Kaufmann a decade earlier in Bear Run, Pennsylvania. Having seen Taliesin West, Kaufmann thought that Wright didn’t understand desert design and chose Neutra instead. The home turned out so well that when Wright saw it, he admitted that it was beautiful (uncharacteristic of him). The building remains the most famous in Palm Springs in terms of international recognition. Go to the end of the road and turn left on North Via Monte Vista Vista Las Palmas and Old Las Palmas Swiss Misses (Charles DuBois – 1903 – 1) – 755 W Crescent Dr. Du Bois attended architecture school at UCLA for a year and then transferred to MIT. Traveling between coasts and working at different architectural firms, Du Bois passed the California architectural licensing exams in the 1930s and started his firm in 1938. When housing construction slowed during WWII, he worked as a senior set designer for MGM Studios. He is known for the few Swiss Miss Houses in Palm Springs featuring the A-frame entry. Examples include: 1133 Vista Vepero – 1958 1110 Abrigo Road – 1958 775 W Crescent Drive – 1958 700, 855 Via Las Palmas – 1959 1355 N Rose Ave – 1961 These homes were built in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood, developed by Joe Dunas and the Alexander Construction Company. There are 15 Swiss Miss Houses remaining today in Vista Las Palmas. Dinah Shore Residence – 432 Hermosa Place Leonardo DiCaprio acquired Dinah Shore’s Palm Springs Home for $5.2 Million in 2014. Designed by architect Donald Wexler for Dinah Shore in 1964, this legendary Palm Springs’ Old Las Palmas neighborhood tennis estate defines timeless mid-century modern architecture. Turn right on N. Mission Road, turn left on W. Merito Place, right on N. Cahuilla, left on W. Alejo, right on N. Belardo, and then right on N. Museum Way. There is a municipal parking structure on your left. Downtown Palm Springs Palm Springs Art Museum (E. Stewart Williams 1976) – 101 N Museum Dr. Williams designed the museum with concrete mixed with Warmtone cement and several aggregates. Long expanses of concrete panels were hammered to expose the aggregate. The exterior walls of the museum are clad in lava rock. By the early 1980s, more space was needed to display the museum’s collection, so administrative functions were relocated to a new, separate structure just north of the original building. Named the Marks Administration Building, it was designed by Williams and completed in 1981. From the front of the Art Museum, head south on N. Museum Drive, turn left on W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, then right on S. Palm Canyon Drive. Oasis Commercial Building (E Stewart Williams – 1953) – 121 S Palm Canyon Drive This Class 1 historic site was designed in the International style by modernist architect E. Stewart Williams. It was built on a prominent corner that used to be a part of the Oasis Hotel. The two-story building reflects many of the design features of the internationally known Villa Savoy in Poissy, France, designed by Swiss architect Le Corbusier and built between 1928 and 1931, and the Brazilian Pavilion by Oscar Niemeyer from the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Continue South on S. Palm Canyon to Baristo. The Architecture Museum is on your left. Palm Springs Architecture and Design Center, Edward Harris Pavilion (E. Stewart Williams – 1961) – 300 S Palm Canyon Dr. The museum’s architecture and design center is housed inside a classic midcentury International style building that Williams designed in 1961 for the Sante Fe Federal Savings & Loan. The Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan building reflected new thinking in the design of banks and financial institutions during the middle of the twentieth century. No longer were banks heavy masonry structures with neo-classical architecture – modern banks were seen as gathering places for the community, open and inviting. This building also featured a new concept: the drive-up banking window, which still exists on the east side of the building. The building is set up on a raised platform or “plinth” with recessed foundation walls, giving it the illusion that it is floating above the ground. Metal shade screens on sliding tracks were built into the west façade to help control direct son in the afternoon hours. The building’s main level features a gallery space for architecture and design exhibitions and curatorial offices. The lower level of the building serves as a study center and library. You can head toward the mountains on Baristo. Del Marcos Hotel (William Cody – 1947) – 225 W Baristo Rd In 1947, Cody completed the Del Marcos Hotel, his first independent commission, which the AIA Southern California Chapter recognized with an honorable mention. Cody had a prolific career in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley and became known for his elegant, simplistic designs with ultra-thin columns and rooflines. You can go back to S. Palm Canyon and turn right. Coachella Valley Savings & Loan (now Chase Bank) – ( E. Stewart Williams – 1960) – 499 S Palm Canyon Drive Originally the Coachella Valley Savings & Loan, the design of this elegant building with its inverted parabolic curved columns and water feature was inspired by the Palace of the Dawn by Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer, completed in 1958 in Brasilia, Brazil. Musicland Hotel (Hugh Kaptur – 1967) – 1342 South Palm Canyon Drive An earlier project similar in architectural style to Tahquitz Plaza (now Kaptur Plaza) is The Musicland Hotel, formerly the Casa Blanca Motor Hotel. Kaptur was commissioned to update and modernize the building and created the unique façade seen today with its sculptural “eyebrow” around the street-facing second-story window. Continue south The Mesa/Canyon Corridor/Twin Palms Estates Royal Hawaiian Estates (Donald Wexler – 1961-1962) – 1774 South Palm Canyon Drive Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison combined modernist ideas with Polynesian themes when they designed the Royal Hawaiian Estates condominium complex when tiki architecture was in fashion. The complex has 12 buildings with 40 condominium units on five acres. Drive south on South Palm Canyon and turn right on W Camino Carmelita. Turn left onto Camino Monte, and the property will be on your right. Ship of the Desert – (Erle Webster & Adrian Wilson, Architects – 1936) – 1995 Camino Monte The Davidson family had been visiting Palm Springs from the east coast in the winter and decided to build a home in Mesa. They hired architectural firm Earle Webster & Adrian Wilson to design their winter home. Before 1936, architecture in the resort town mainly was Spanish Mission Revival. They decided to do something completely different and designed the house in the Streamline Moderne style. Reflecting imagery of automobiles, steamships, and airplanes, Streamline Moderne was a dominant style in the late 1920’s and 1930’s. “Ship of the Desert” was featured on the cover of Sunset Magazine in 1937. In 1998, fashion designer Trina Turk and her photographer husband Jonathan Skow purchased the property with plans for an extensive restoration. However, during the house’s rehab, it was destroyed in a fire. Undeterred, they rebuilt using the original plans. You can head back to South Palm Canyon Drive, turn right and then left onto La Verne Way. Fire Station #4 (Hugh Kaptur – 1971) – 1300 S La Verne Way The Palm Springs Fire Department was formed in 1931, several years before the small town was incorporated as a City in 1938. As Palm Springs grew, more fire stations were constructed, and until today, the City fire protection is provided by five fire stations. Fire Station #4 was built in 1971. Over time, the station began to show its age, and its facilities became outdated. Starting in the summer of 2017, work began on Fire Station #4 to remodel and expand it. The city consulted with Hugh Kaptur in the renovations so that the station could preserve his mid-century modern look and original vision. The City’s first fire station was located just north of the California Water & Telephone Building at 369 North Palm Canyon Drive (also a Class 1 historic site). Currently, the City’s oldest fire station is Fire Station #1, located at 277 North Indian Canyon, designed by architect Albert Frey in 1952 in the Modernist architectural style, also a Class 1 historic site. From here, head North on Sunrise Way to East Mesquite Ave. and turn left. Turn left again at South Driftwood Drive. Deepwell Estates William Holden Residence (1956) – 1323 S Driftwood Drive The architect of this classic mid-century home has yet to be discovered. Located on an approximately 1 acre site in the heart of the prestigious Deepwell neighborhood, it is a unique example of a custom home using post and beam construction. Heavily renovated in 2017, the home, while dramatic in its all-white appearance, does not reflect the historic appearance of the house when actor William Holden owned it. Head North on Driftwood and turn right on East Ocotillo Ave, then right again on South Calle De Maria. Leo Koerner Residence (E. Stewart Williams – 1955) – 1275 Calle De Maria A perfect example of Desert Modernism, the Koerner House was built for Leon and Thea Koerner, a pair of Canadian snowbirds. William Bogess Residence (Richard Harrison – 1955) – 1366 Calle De Maria Featured in LA Times Home, January 1, 1956. Head South on Calle De Maria, turn left Deep Well Rd, turn right onto Sagebrush Rd, turn left onto E Avenida Olancha, turn left at the 2nd cross street onto S Calle Marcus John and Bessie Macy Residence (Hugh Kaptur – 1961) – 1577 Calle Marcus Kaptur came to the desert in 1956, and Calle Marcus represents an early phase in Kaptur’s career during which he was experimenting with strong geometric forms, textures, and angles. Sutter House (E. Stewart Williams – 1958) – 1207 Calle De Maria Architecturally significant steel framed and concrete block structure wrapped in glass Head back to Sunrise Way via Sout Mesquite Avenue and turn left. Go to Ramon Road and turn right. St. Theresa will be on your left. St. Theresa Catholic Church (William Cody – 1968) – 2800 East Ramon Rd. The 10-foot marble altars were carved in Italy to Cody’s precise specifications, where the sculptured ceilings drape like tented fabric, and the clerestory windows welcome broad rays of natural light. The main entrance is at the base of a cross shape. Outside, the red and yellow stained glass are in a pattern designed by Cody. Heat West to Farrell Drive and make a right. Go .6 miles to Tahquitz Canyon Way and make another right. Go .5 miles, and City Hall is on your left. Palm Springs City Hall – (Clark, Frey & Chambers with collaboration by Williams, Williams, and Williams – 1956) 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Clark & Frey began preliminary Palm Springs City Hall design in 1952. The buildings’ volume and massing reflect the Modernist tenet “Form follows Function”, in which the various elements, such as the Council chamber, are distinctly different from the administrative office wings, reflecting the different functional uses of the spaces within. Like many of Frey’s designs, City Hall is constructed of simple, almost industrial materials such as unfinished concrete blocks, corrugated metal, and poured-in-place concrete. The design incorporates a circular motif – found in the round opening in the roof of the main entry, the angled metal cylinders comprising the bris soliel screen across the front of the executive offices, protecting the large areas of glass behind. A poured-in-place circular concrete roof element is located at the entry to the Council chamber, which is the same diameter as the opening in the many entries, creating a dynamic interplay between solid and void. Simple corrugated metal and fiberglass panels are used at entries, and corrugated metal screens over the western wing provide solar control for the offices in that wing. Several additions in 1965, 1972, and 1985 were added to the back (north) side of City Hall. These additions are not considered historically significant but did add much-needed office space as the City grew. Sunmor Estates/Enchanted Homes Donald Wexler & Ric Harrison – 2928, 2968, and 2980 Plaimor Drive, 260 N Airlane Dr Wexler and Harrison worked for architect William Cody when they first came to Palm Springs in the early 1950’s. They formed the architectural firm of Wexler and Harrison in 1952 and collaborated on many projects until the firm was dissolved amicably in 1961. Dan Palmer & William Krisel – 204, 205, and 206 North Airlane Drive Head West to North Farrell Drive, turn right and then left on East Alejo Road. The Sinatra house will be on your right. Movie Colony Twin Palms – Sinatra Residence(E. Stewart Williams – 1947) – 1148 Alejo Road Sinatra first came to Palm Springs in search of a weekend home for his family after signing a lucrative movie contract with MGM. Sinatra initially requested designs for a Georgian-style mansion, complete with a brick facade and columns. He had just made his first million and wanted to celebrate in grand style. However, with renderings of a house composed of long horizontal tines and non-traditional building materials, Williams was able to lure Sinatra away from the idea of a Georgian house towards something more “desert appropriate.” Later, Roger Williams, Stewart’s architectural partner and brother, reflected, “We’d have been ruined if we’d been forced to build Georgian in the desert.” Other Noteworthy Properties Frey House II – (Albert Frey, 1963, expanded 1967) 686 Palisades Drive Albert Frey’s second home in Palm Springs is an essay in minimalist steel and glass integrated with the rocky mountainous site on which it is located. Frey left large natural rock outcroppings on the site and integrated them to subdivide the main living space from the adjacent bedroom. The house is owned by the Palm Springs Art Museum, which occasionally conducts limited site tours. Other noteworthy mid-century modern sites that the Palm Springs City Council has granted Class 1 Landmark status include: City National Bank (Now Bank of America) 588 South Palm Canyon Drive (inspired by the Chapel at Ronchamp France by Le Corbusier). The Town & Country Center (Architects Paul R. Williams and A. Quincy Jones in collaboration with Donald Wexler, 1948 – 1955) is a fascinating amalgamation of buildings and styles. It reflects the emerging popularity after World War II for modernist architecture and a break with traditional, revivalist architectural styles of the 20s and 30s. 175 North Palm Canyon Drive. Kocher-Samson Building (Architect Albert Frey 1936, one of the earliest Modernist structures built in Palm Springs. ) J.W. Robinsons’ Department Store (Architects Luckman and Pereira, 1958) is a classic mid-century department store with a “bow-tie” motif on the roof fascia, aggregate “zig-zag” masonry veneer walls, and unique tapered and ribbed steel columns. By Randy Garner and Ken Lyon You May Also Like: Palm Springs Stars’ Homes: Self-Guided Tour
What is Desert Modernism? Desert Modernism is an interpretation of the Modernist or International Style, tailored to suit the Palm Springs indoor/outdoor lifestyle. People flocked to Palm Springs for the stunning fall/winter weather and wanted to spend their time outdoors. Desert Modernism is recognizable by its minimalist, clean lines and the seamless blur of indoor and outdoor space. Rooflines are often flat or butterfly-wing v-shaped (dubbed “butterfly” roofs). Floor plans were open, and there were many windows and sliding glass doors that brought the outside in. Beautiful breeze blocks temper the desert heat and attached carports rather than detached garages fulfilled the need to shelter the automobile. William Cody Notable Architects from the Mid-Twentieth Century Who Practiced in Palm Springs Richard Neutra (1892 – 1970) – Austrian-born, raised, and trained, Neutra immigrated to the U.S. in 1923, where he worked with Frank Lloyd Wright before branching out on his own. Neutra designed homes in Palm Springs, including the Miller Residence (1937) and his masterpiece, The Kaufmann Residence (1946). John Lautner (1911 – 1994) – After training under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, Lautner moved to LA and focused on residential architecture. His distinctive application of the principles of organic architecture culminated in the Palm Springs homes for Arthur Elrod and Bob Hope. These homes are in a gated Southridge community and are not accessible to the public, although the Hope residence can be seen on the side of the mountain from East Palm Canyon Drive. Donald Wexler (1926 – 2015) – Donald Wexler worked for Richard Neutra for a while in LA, then relocated to Palm Springs, where he was employed by William Cody. Wexler partnered with Richard Harrison for a time. Together, they designed many school buildings and the Steel Development Homes for Alexander Construction Company. Other notable designs include the Dinah Shore Residence, the main terminal building at the Palm Springs International Airport, and Royal Hawaiian Estates Condominiums. William “Bill” Krisel (1924 – 2017)—Krisel studied architecture at the University of Southern California and also became a licensed landscape architect. It is estimated that 30,000 residences in Southern California can be attributed to Krisel. As a personal friend of Bob Alexander, he is credited as the architect of record for many Alexander Construction Company developments. E. Stewart Williams (1909 – 2005) – Williams studied at Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania. Some of his notable Palm Springs designs include the Palm Springs Art Museum, Coachella Savings and Loan (now Chase Bank), Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan (now the Art Museum’s architecture and design center), Palm Springs Aerial Tramway station, and Frank Sinatra residence. William Cody (1916 – 1978): Cody studied architecture at the University of Southern California before moving to Palm Springs in 1946. The following year, he designed the Del Marcos Hotel and went on to work on several clubhouses and Country Club developments throughout the Coachella Valley. Cody’s celebrated designs include the Abernathy House, Palm Springs Public Library at Sunrise Park, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, and the L’Horizon Hotel. Albert Frey (1903 – 1998) – Frey established a style of modernist architecture in Palm Springs known as “Desert Modernism.” He worked in Paris for Charles-Edouard Jeanneret (commonly known as Le Corbusier) before moving to the U.S. in 1928. He then worked with New York architect A. Lawrence Kocher in New York City for some years as the managing editor of Architectural Record magazine. A small commission for an office and apartment for Kocher’s brother, Dr. J.J. Kocker, brought Frey to Palm Springs. In California, he worked with architect John Porter Clark. Buildings of note include Frey House I and II and the Tramway Gas Station (now the Palm Springs Visitor Center): the Raymond Loewy Residence, and the Palm Springs City Hall. John Porter Clark (1905 – 1991) – Clark studied architecture at Cornell and apprenticed with Garrett Van Pelt in Pasadena. He relocated to Palm Springs to find more work and is credited as one of the pioneers of “Desert Modernism.” In 1935, Clark met Albert Frey and collaborated on many projects, including the Palm Springs City Hall, the Welwood Murray Memorial Library, Palm Springs Woman’s Club, and St Paul’s in the Desert church. George and Robert Alexander (developer) – The Alexander Construction Company was founded by George Alexander and his father George. They specialized in affordable tract residential developments in Southern California post World War II. The prolific developers helped make second home ownership in Palm Springs affordable to the growing middle class. Their homes are known as the “Alexanders,” though most of the developments’ architecture is credited to William Krisel and Dan Palmer. They also partnered with architects Charles Dubois and Donald Wexler. Alexander developments in Palm Springs include Twin Palms, Vista Las Palmas, Racquet Club Road Estates, Desert Lanai, and Sunmore Estates, among others. Hugh Kaptur (1931 – ) – Kaptur studied architectural engineering at the Lawrence Institute of Technology in Detroit, Michigan. He relocated to Palm Springs in 1956 and apprenticed for Wexler and Harrison. Kaptur is recognized for his design of the Steve McQueen Residence, the William Holden Residence (both gated and private), several home designs for the Ranch Construction Company (now Desert Park Estates Neighborhood), the clubhouse at the Mesquite Golf Course, Tahquitz Plaza office buildings, the Triangle Inn, Fire Station #3 (with Robert Ricciardi) and Fire Station #4, the Musicland Hotel (renovation) among others. Jack Meiselman (developer)—Jack (1899 – 1994) Meiselman developed many single-family homes in and around Palm Springs in the 1950s and 60s. Their homes, designed by a young architectural designer named John “Jack” Moyer, featured many of the same design features and construction methods seen in the post-and-beam homes by the Alexander Development Company. The Meiselmans built approximately 350 homes in Palm Springs. A. Quincy Jones (1913 – 1979)—Jones worked with a slew of modernist architects, including Douglas Honnold, George Vernon Russell, Burton A. Schutt, and Paul Williams. He later partnered with Paul Williams on several Palm Springs projects, including the Palm Springs Tennis Club (1947), the Town & Country Restaurant (1948), and Country Club Estates Condominiums. Palm Springs Self-Guided Architecture Tour This self-guided tour is a mere introduction to the amazing collection of extraordinary buildings in Palm Springs designed during the mid-twentieth century. Many of the architects of these buildings were not well-known. They were young architects, often at the beginning of their careers, who were exposed to many prolific and noteworthy modernist architects. They found eager clients in Palm Springs ready to throw off the tired revivalist and traditional styles and embrace fresh new ideas of the Modern Movement. Begin at the Palm Springs Visitor Center – 2901 N. Palm Canyon Drive Albert Frey designed the Tramway Gas Station, now the Palm Springs Visitor Center. This remarkable Modernist structure was constructed between 1963 and 1965 as a gas station. The roof is constructed of corrugated galvanized steel, spanning over 95 feet, and supported by six steel pipe columns. The dramatic structure was created to draw the attention of motorists entering Palm Springs. In the 1990’s the building was threatened with demolition by the property owners. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and the building was granted Class 1 historic landmark status. Shortly after it became the Palm Springs Visitor Center. There are several architecture books available at the Visitor Center, as well as various gifts and information. For those who want to see even more Palm Springs mid-century architecture than this tour provides, buy a map produced by the Palm Springs Modern Committee. There is also a printed Hollywood Star Home self-guided tour map for purchase, which shows where many of the Hollywood stars lived, which helped make Palm Springs world famous. Tramway Shell Station – (William Cody, architect, constructed 1964) 2796 North Palm Canyon Drive On the east side of Palm Canyon, just south of San Rafael, is another dramatic automobile service station designed by architect William Cody. The station is comprised of an ultra-thin cast-in-place concrete roof. The service bays and attendants’ offices are a simple cubic volume that appears to have been carefully slid under the thin roof plane. Lighting in the canopy was deftly integrated into the roof plane in recessed troffers that had most recently been retrofitted with LED lighting. The buildings’ minimalist design and thin roof profile are a trademark of Cody’s work in the desert. Head down San Rafael Drive across the street from the Visitor Center. Turn right on Indian Canyon Drive and left on East Simms Road. Racquet Club Estates A short distance from the Palm Springs Visitor Center off Indian Canyon Drive is Racquet Club Road Estates, developed by the Alexander Construction Company. Racquet Club Estates boasts the Steel Development homes by Donald Wexler on Sunnyview, Simms, and Molina Roads, dozens of “Alexanders” designed by Palmer & Krisel, and a collection of mid-century homes developed by Jack Meiselman, designed by Jack Moyer . Alexander Construction Company Steel Houses 290 Simms Road 300 and 330 East Molino Road 3100, 3125, 3133 and 3165 North Sunnyview Drive Designed in 1960 by Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison, these pre-fabricated, all-steel homes were to fill an entire neighborhood. However, after seven homes were built, rising steel prices made further homes in this style cost-prohibitive. All seven homes are now Class One historic sites and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Head South on Sunnyview toward Francis Drive Palmer & Krisel designed homes 325 East Francis Drive 388 and 520 Desert Holly Circle 970 East Racquet Club Road 455 and 483 East Francis Drive (flamingo letterbox) A close personal friend of developer Bob Alexander and his family, Krisel came to the Desert at the request of Alexander to design a tract of modernist houses dubbed Smoke Tree Valley (now known as Twin Palms for the pair of palm trees that were included with the completion each of the homes). Other Palmer & Krisel projects include the Ocotillo Lodge, Las Palmas Estates (Vista Las Palmas), Kings Point and Canyon View Estates, and Racquet Club Estates. The “House of Tomorrow,” conceived as an experiment in modern living, impressed Alexander’s wife Helene so that they made it their residence. The house later gained fame as the honeymoon home of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. (1350 Ladera Circle) Head back to Indian Canyon Drive and make a left. Drive approximately one mile. Chino Canyon/ Little Tuscany Estates Grace Lewis Miller Residence (Richard Neutra – 1937) – 2311 N. Indian Canyon Drive Although a tiny home, it combined a dance studio for the owner. It is a good representation of Neutra’s use of simple, flat-roofed forms arranged and adapted to the sun, outdoor space, and the need for coolness and ventilation in the desert. He specialized in extending architectural space into a carefully arranged landscape. Head South on Indian Canyon and make a right on West Vista Chino. Kaptur Court – 262-266 West Vista Chino Kaptur came out of retirement in 2016 and designed three iconic mid-century-style single-family homes, reflecting his own interpretation of mid-century modernism. Turn right on N Via Norte and left on W Chino Canyon Road, then head up the hill. If you stay left, you will pass the home owned by Elvis Presley at 825 W Chino Canyon. Edris Residence ( E. Stewart Williams – 1954) – 1030 W Cielo Drive William and Marjorie Edris had seasonally rented an apartment in one of the Potter Clinic Building’s upstairs apartments at the same time as the Williams family in the late 1940s. The two couples became friends, and in 1953, William Edris hired E. Stewart Williams to design a winter residence. The parcel chosen was located in the rocky area dubbed “Little Tuscany”, located on the lower portion of the Chino Cone alluvial fan. Taking full advantage of the unique location, Williams moved only those boulders necessary to place the house on a flat surface with the goal of integrating as much of the natural environment into the design as possible. Native rock was used for the prominent chimney, which anchored the southeastern portion of the home alongside the floor-to-ceiling wall of glass on the east wall of the living room, which afforded breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley. Almost the entire pool is surrounded by boulders. Dr. Franz Alexander Residence (1956) – 1011 West Cielo Drive Historic, original, and spectacular, this home is a midcentury modern dream. Designed by architect Walter S. White for psychoanalyst Dr. Franz Alexander, the Alexander Residence, appears to hover over the boulders-strewn site. The result is a structure that seamlessly integrates into its natural surroundings, enhancing views of the valley while creating numerous indoor-outdoor connections. . Dramatic architectural elements like V-shaped steel supports, a swooping tongue-and-groove ceiling reaching toward the mountains, plus a double-height atrium—with an open-tread black steel staircase designed by Albert Frey—are but a few of the incredible details that bring the residence to life. Head back down to Vista Chino and make a right. Kaufmann Residence (Richard Neutra – 1946) – 470 West Vista Chino Road Edgar Kaufmann hired Neutra to design a desert home for his family. Frank Lloyd Wright had built Fallingwater for Mr. Kaufmann a decade earlier in Bear Run, Pennsylvania. Having seen Taliesin West, Kaufmann thought that Wright didn’t understand desert design and chose Neutra instead. The home turned out so well that when Wright saw it, he admitted that it was beautiful (uncharacteristic of him). The building remains the most famous in Palm Springs in terms of international recognition. Go to the end of the road and turn left on North Via Monte Vista Vista Las Palmas and Old Las Palmas Swiss Misses (Charles DuBois – 1903 – 1) – 755 W Crescent Dr. Du Bois attended architecture school at UCLA for a year and then transferred to MIT. Traveling between coasts and working at different architectural firms, Du Bois passed the California architectural licensing exams in the 1930s and started his firm in 1938. When housing construction slowed during WWII, he worked as a senior set designer for MGM Studios. He is known for the few Swiss Miss Houses in Palm Springs featuring the A-frame entry. Examples include: 1133 Vista Vepero – 1958 1110 Abrigo Road – 1958 775 W Crescent Drive – 1958 700, 855 Via Las Palmas – 1959 1355 N Rose Ave – 1961 These homes were built in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood, developed by Joe Dunas and the Alexander Construction Company. There are 15 Swiss Miss Houses remaining today in Vista Las Palmas. Dinah Shore Residence – 432 Hermosa Place Leonardo DiCaprio acquired Dinah Shore’s Palm Springs Home for $5.2 Million in 2014. Designed by architect Donald Wexler for Dinah Shore in 1964, this legendary Palm Springs’ Old Las Palmas neighborhood tennis estate defines timeless mid-century modern architecture. Turn right on N. Mission Road, turn left on W. Merito Place, right on N. Cahuilla, left on W. Alejo, right on N. Belardo, and then right on N. Museum Way. There is a municipal parking structure on your left. Downtown Palm Springs Palm Springs Art Museum (E. Stewart Williams 1976) – 101 N Museum Dr. Williams designed the museum with concrete mixed with Warmtone cement and several aggregates. Long expanses of concrete panels were hammered to expose the aggregate. The exterior walls of the museum are clad in lava rock. By the early 1980s, more space was needed to display the museum’s collection, so administrative functions were relocated to a new, separate structure just north of the original building. Named the Marks Administration Building, it was designed by Williams and completed in 1981. From the front of the Art Museum, head south on N. Museum Drive, turn left on W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, then right on S. Palm Canyon Drive. Oasis Commercial Building (E Stewart Williams – 1953) – 121 S Palm Canyon Drive This Class 1 historic site was designed in the International style by modernist architect E. Stewart Williams. It was built on a prominent corner that used to be a part of the Oasis Hotel. The two-story building reflects many of the design features of the internationally known Villa Savoy in Poissy, France, designed by Swiss architect Le Corbusier and built between 1928 and 1931, and the Brazilian Pavilion by Oscar Niemeyer from the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Continue South on S. Palm Canyon to Baristo. The Architecture Museum is on your left. Palm Springs Architecture and Design Center, Edward Harris Pavilion (E. Stewart Williams – 1961) – 300 S Palm Canyon Dr. The museum’s architecture and design center is housed inside a classic midcentury International style building that Williams designed in 1961 for the Sante Fe Federal Savings & Loan. The Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan building reflected new thinking in the design of banks and financial institutions during the middle of the twentieth century. No longer were banks heavy masonry structures with neo-classical architecture – modern banks were seen as gathering places for the community, open and inviting. This building also featured a new concept: the drive-up banking window, which still exists on the east side of the building. The building is set up on a raised platform or “plinth” with recessed foundation walls, giving it the illusion that it is floating above the ground. Metal shade screens on sliding tracks were built into the west façade to help control direct son in the afternoon hours. The building’s main level features a gallery space for architecture and design exhibitions and curatorial offices. The lower level of the building serves as a study center and library. You can head toward the mountains on Baristo. Del Marcos Hotel (William Cody – 1947) – 225 W Baristo Rd In 1947, Cody completed the Del Marcos Hotel, his first independent commission, which the AIA Southern California Chapter recognized with an honorable mention. Cody had a prolific career in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley and became known for his elegant, simplistic designs with ultra-thin columns and rooflines. You can go back to S. Palm Canyon and turn right. Coachella Valley Savings & Loan (now Chase Bank) – ( E. Stewart Williams – 1960) – 499 S Palm Canyon Drive Originally the Coachella Valley Savings & Loan, the design of this elegant building with its inverted parabolic curved columns and water feature was inspired by the Palace of the Dawn by Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer, completed in 1958 in Brasilia, Brazil. Musicland Hotel (Hugh Kaptur – 1967) – 1342 South Palm Canyon Drive An earlier project similar in architectural style to Tahquitz Plaza (now Kaptur Plaza) is The Musicland Hotel, formerly the Casa Blanca Motor Hotel. Kaptur was commissioned to update and modernize the building and created the unique façade seen today with its sculptural “eyebrow” around the street-facing second-story window. Continue south The Mesa/Canyon Corridor/Twin Palms Estates Royal Hawaiian Estates (Donald Wexler – 1961-1962) – 1774 South Palm Canyon Drive Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison combined modernist ideas with Polynesian themes when they designed the Royal Hawaiian Estates condominium complex when tiki architecture was in fashion. The complex has 12 buildings with 40 condominium units on five acres. Drive south on South Palm Canyon and turn right on W Camino Carmelita. Turn left onto Camino Monte, and the property will be on your right. Ship of the Desert – (Erle Webster & Adrian Wilson, Architects – 1936) – 1995 Camino Monte The Davidson family had been visiting Palm Springs from the east coast in the winter and decided to build a home in Mesa. They hired architectural firm Earle Webster & Adrian Wilson to design their winter home. Before 1936, architecture in the resort town mainly was Spanish Mission Revival. They decided to do something completely different and designed the house in the Streamline Moderne style. Reflecting imagery of automobiles, steamships, and airplanes, Streamline Moderne was a dominant style in the late 1920’s and 1930’s. “Ship of the Desert” was featured on the cover of Sunset Magazine in 1937. In 1998, fashion designer Trina Turk and her photographer husband Jonathan Skow purchased the property with plans for an extensive restoration. However, during the house’s rehab, it was destroyed in a fire. Undeterred, they rebuilt using the original plans. You can head back to South Palm Canyon Drive, turn right and then left onto La Verne Way. Fire Station #4 (Hugh Kaptur – 1971) – 1300 S La Verne Way The Palm Springs Fire Department was formed in 1931, several years before the small town was incorporated as a City in 1938. As Palm Springs grew, more fire stations were constructed, and until today, the City fire protection is provided by five fire stations. Fire Station #4 was built in 1971. Over time, the station began to show its age, and its facilities became outdated. Starting in the summer of 2017, work began on Fire Station #4 to remodel and expand it. The city consulted with Hugh Kaptur in the renovations so that the station could preserve his mid-century modern look and original vision. The City’s first fire station was located just north of the California Water & Telephone Building at 369 North Palm Canyon Drive (also a Class 1 historic site). Currently, the City’s oldest fire station is Fire Station #1, located at 277 North Indian Canyon, designed by architect Albert Frey in 1952 in the Modernist architectural style, also a Class 1 historic site. From here, head North on Sunrise Way to East Mesquite Ave. and turn left. Turn left again at South Driftwood Drive. Deepwell Estates William Holden Residence (1956) – 1323 S Driftwood Drive The architect of this classic mid-century home has yet to be discovered. Located on an approximately 1 acre site in the heart of the prestigious Deepwell neighborhood, it is a unique example of a custom home using post and beam construction. Heavily renovated in 2017, the home, while dramatic in its all-white appearance, does not reflect the historic appearance of the house when actor William Holden owned it. Head North on Driftwood and turn right on East Ocotillo Ave, then right again on South Calle De Maria. Leo Koerner Residence (E. Stewart Williams – 1955) – 1275 Calle De Maria A perfect example of Desert Modernism, the Koerner House was built for Leon and Thea Koerner, a pair of Canadian snowbirds. William Bogess Residence (Richard Harrison – 1955) – 1366 Calle De Maria Featured in LA Times Home, January 1, 1956. Head South on Calle De Maria, turn left Deep Well Rd, turn right onto Sagebrush Rd, turn left onto E Avenida Olancha, turn left at the 2nd cross street onto S Calle Marcus John and Bessie Macy Residence (Hugh Kaptur – 1961) – 1577 Calle Marcus Kaptur came to the desert in 1956, and Calle Marcus represents an early phase in Kaptur’s career during which he was experimenting with strong geometric forms, textures, and angles. Sutter House (E. Stewart Williams – 1958) – 1207 Calle De Maria Architecturally significant steel framed and concrete block structure wrapped in glass Head back to Sunrise Way via Sout Mesquite Avenue and turn left. Go to Ramon Road and turn right. St. Theresa will be on your left. St. Theresa Catholic Church (William Cody – 1968) – 2800 East Ramon Rd. The 10-foot marble altars were carved in Italy to Cody’s precise specifications, where the sculptured ceilings drape like tented fabric, and the clerestory windows welcome broad rays of natural light. The main entrance is at the base of a cross shape. Outside, the red and yellow stained glass are in a pattern designed by Cody. Heat West to Farrell Drive and make a right. Go .6 miles to Tahquitz Canyon Way and make another right. Go .5 miles, and City Hall is on your left. Palm Springs City Hall – (Clark, Frey & Chambers with collaboration by Williams, Williams, and Williams – 1956) 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Clark & Frey began preliminary Palm Springs City Hall design in 1952. The buildings’ volume and massing reflect the Modernist tenet “Form follows Function”, in which the various elements, such as the Council chamber, are distinctly different from the administrative office wings, reflecting the different functional uses of the spaces within. Like many of Frey’s designs, City Hall is constructed of simple, almost industrial materials such as unfinished concrete blocks, corrugated metal, and poured-in-place concrete. The design incorporates a circular motif – found in the round opening in the roof of the main entry, the angled metal cylinders comprising the bris soliel screen across the front of the executive offices, protecting the large areas of glass behind. A poured-in-place circular concrete roof element is located at the entry to the Council chamber, which is the same diameter as the opening in the many entries, creating a dynamic interplay between solid and void. Simple corrugated metal and fiberglass panels are used at entries, and corrugated metal screens over the western wing provide solar control for the offices in that wing. Several additions in 1965, 1972, and 1985 were added to the back (north) side of City Hall. These additions are not considered historically significant but did add much-needed office space as the City grew. Sunmor Estates/Enchanted Homes Donald Wexler & Ric Harrison – 2928, 2968, and 2980 Plaimor Drive, 260 N Airlane Dr Wexler and Harrison worked for architect William Cody when they first came to Palm Springs in the early 1950’s. They formed the architectural firm of Wexler and Harrison in 1952 and collaborated on many projects until the firm was dissolved amicably in 1961. Dan Palmer & William Krisel – 204, 205, and 206 North Airlane Drive Head West to North Farrell Drive, turn right and then left on East Alejo Road. The Sinatra house will be on your right. Movie Colony Twin Palms – Sinatra Residence(E. Stewart Williams – 1947) – 1148 Alejo Road Sinatra first came to Palm Springs in search of a weekend home for his family after signing a lucrative movie contract with MGM. Sinatra initially requested designs for a Georgian-style mansion, complete with a brick facade and columns. He had just made his first million and wanted to celebrate in grand style. However, with renderings of a house composed of long horizontal tines and non-traditional building materials, Williams was able to lure Sinatra away from the idea of a Georgian house towards something more “desert appropriate.” Later, Roger Williams, Stewart’s architectural partner and brother, reflected, “We’d have been ruined if we’d been forced to build Georgian in the desert.” Other Noteworthy Properties Frey House II – (Albert Frey, 1963, expanded 1967) 686 Palisades Drive Albert Frey’s second home in Palm Springs is an essay in minimalist steel and glass integrated with the rocky mountainous site on which it is located. Frey left large natural rock outcroppings on the site and integrated them to subdivide the main living space from the adjacent bedroom. The house is owned by the Palm Springs Art Museum, which occasionally conducts limited site tours. Other noteworthy mid-century modern sites that the Palm Springs City Council has granted Class 1 Landmark status include: City National Bank (Now Bank of America) 588 South Palm Canyon Drive (inspired by the Chapel at Ronchamp France by Le Corbusier). The Town & Country Center (Architects Paul R. Williams and A. Quincy Jones in collaboration with Donald Wexler, 1948 – 1955) is a fascinating amalgamation of buildings and styles. It reflects the emerging popularity after World War II for modernist architecture and a break with traditional, revivalist architectural styles of the 20s and 30s. 175 North Palm Canyon Drive. Kocher-Samson Building (Architect Albert Frey 1936, one of the earliest Modernist structures built in Palm Springs. ) J.W. Robinsons’ Department Store (Architects Luckman and Pereira, 1958) is a classic mid-century department store with a “bow-tie” motif on the roof fascia, aggregate “zig-zag” masonry veneer walls, and unique tapered and ribbed steel columns. By Randy Garner and Ken Lyon You May Also Like: Palm Springs Stars’ Homes: Self-Guided Tour
Have A Palm Springs Big Dream Wedding Wed, January 5, 2022 by Randy Garner Where Dreams Come True By Barbara Beckley Exchanging vows. Cutting the cake. Dancing the night away with family and friends. The biggest day of your life involves a lot of planning. And it all has to be perfect! No worries in Palm Springs Choose one of Palm Springs renowned full-service resorts and event spaces, and arranging your Big Day is, well — a piece of cake. With memorable event spaces to match every style, on-site accommodations for guest lists from small to large, expert in-house wedding planners and the cache of this glamorous destination – Palm Springs brings your big dream wedding to life! Photo credit: Jasmine Star Here’s how: Parker Palm Springs With 16 acres of gorgeous gardens, lawns and inside spaces, this ‘60s-chic hot spot is a wedding dream come. Pose by the iconic orange front doors. Parker Palm Springs can accommodate up to 230 guests – or 250 and more of your besties with a full (two-night minimum) buy-out. Do group photos, your ceremony, reception, dinner and après-wedding joy on 65,000 square feet of garden and three inside settings. Outdoor favorites for include the Croquet Lawn for ceremonies, welcome dinners, cocktails and post-wedding brunch. The Palm Court is great for ceremonies, cocktail hours, rehearsal dinners and farewell brunches. The romantic Petanque Court is ideal for up to 100 guests at welcome events, farewell brunches, ceremonies and post-ceremony parties. Inside, the glass-walled Grand Ballroom features direct access to a sweeping lawn for outdoor/indoor dining and dancing of up to 400 guests. A cozier room welcomes up to 100 for cocktails and up to 70 for dinner. Plan a magical sunset ceremony on the Gene Autry Lawn, with up to 250 seated or 400 standing guests. Add in the lux 18,000-square-foot spa, 144 guest rooms including 12 villas and the two-bedroom mid-century Autry residence (once cowboy star Gene Autry’s home) and it’s a celebration everyone will remember forever. Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Let your cherished moment soar to dreamy heights at Palm Springs’ only high-rise hotel. Wow your guests – and yourselves – with breathless views, vivid sunsets and starry skies at the seventh floor rooftop event spaces. Choose the Rooftop Terrace for dazzling receptions of up to 300 and dinners for 150. For smaller parties, the wrap-around views of the Jacinto Room will dazzle up to 60 guests and the gorgeous Jacinto Terrace accommodates up to 25 standing and 16 seated. For your rehearsal dinner and farewell brunch reserve the 4 Saints rooftop restaurant. And oh my! The Arlo presidential suite is amazing for a bridal or groomsmen party. Arlo Suite Photographed by Laure Joliet If you prefer inside, the chic second-floor Sky Ballroom hosts up to 200 for cocktails and 150 for dinner. In all, the Rowan offers 16,000 square feet of event space, plus a fab rooftop pool and bar, and 153 guestrooms. Plus they make planning so easy – including wedding packages and room blocks for family and friends. Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs Say “I do” with a tropical twist at Palm Springs’ Jimmy Buffet paradise, where mid-century modern meets island-luxe amidst 16 acres of courtyards, pools, gardens, two huge pools and tiki hut-style cabanas. This property include 398 spacious, newly reinvented guestrooms and suites. This stunner loves BIG guest lists up to 2,000 for receptions and 1,500 for dinners in the Compass Rose Ballroom. Downsizing a tad, the Paradise Ballroom accommodates up to 715 for receptions and 240 seated; and the Coral Reef Ballroom is terrific for up to 570 guests for cocktails and 200 for dinner. If you prefer blue skies and swaying palms, the free-form Lone Palm Pool is yours for ceremonies up to 150 seated and 240 for receptions. The semi-private Oasis Garden is a favorite for taking your vows with up to 300 guests. Somewhere Spa is one of Palm Springs’ largest. And the best! Share your first night as Mr. & Mrs. in the posh two-level, 1,761-square-foot Jimmy Buffet Suite. Hyatt Palm Springs Your cherished moment is unforgettable against the backdrop of fantastic sunsets and bold colors – plus an A-list location on South Palm Canyon Drive in the heart of everything – at this all-suite charmer. Say your vows facing the setting sun and ruby red desert mountains on the dreamy second-floor Sundeck. Then stay and celebrate under the starry sky. Or mix and match indoor/outdoor festivities. The Atrium is the largest event space, with dance floors and ornate décor for receptions to 350 and sit-downs to 340 guests. The Grand Salon accommodates up to 275 for receptions and 170 for dinners. The Retreat is ideal for cocktails of up to 150 and dinners to 120. And there’s more! The Upper Pool Deck is amazing for receptions of 400 and banquets to 240, or divide it up into the South Upper Pool Deck for 300 for cocktails and 180 for dinner, and the North Upper Pool Deck for 100 for cocktails and 60 seated. Did we say views? All 197 spacious suites feature inspired mountain or sweeping downtown vistas. Renaissance Palm Springs If you’re a stickler for detail, rest assured everything will be flawless at this Marriott Bonvoy affiliate. Why? Because their in-house planners aren’t just wedding planners. They’re Marriott Certified Wedding Planners – experts trained in every type of wedding – making your wishes come true with authenticity whatever your preference. The cosmopolitan-style elegance creates memorable moments indoors and out for up to 1,400 guests. When, yikes, everyone said they’re attending, the Grand Ballroom is perfect for up to 1,400 for receptions and 1,050 seated, and the Catalina Room fits 300 for cocktails and 220 for dinner. Outside, the beautifully landscaped Courtyard is picture-perfect for dinners of up to 850. Not to worry, 18 additional event rooms are at the ready for smaller receptions, dinners and side-parties. If your guest list is really off the charts – the Renaissance is connected to the Palm Springs Convention Center. Palm Springs Convention Center Because this is Palm Springs, it’s not what you’re thinking. Ours is stylish and wedding friendly, with 18 chic spaces for as few as 12 to 9,000 of your most important guests. Stepping outside, the East Lawn is a favorite for nearly 1,000 guests, while the Jackie Lee Houston Plaza is ideal for 30 to 600 for cocktails and 300 for banquets. The Boulders Terrace is a favorite for receptions up to 80 and 50 for dinners. Savoury’s is the award winning in-house caterer. They are full-service including décor, floral design, audio visual elements and transportation. Savoury’s will work with you to customize the menu and theme, offering creative ideas to help you plan your Palm Springs wedding that will leave a lasting impression. Tip: Savoury’s Catering is also available for your chosen off-site private venue. Hero Image Credit: Cara Robbins Studio
Palm Springs Local Art to Check Out Mon, January 3, 2022 by Randy Garner Palm Springs is an art lover’s dream destination any time of the year. There are dozens of independent galleries and artful boutiques to frequent, and there are world-famous attractions and unique public art installations around almost every corner. Here are some must-see spots for scoping out the Palm Springs local art scene. Maybe even making your masterpieces — when you’re visiting Palm Springs The Art Benches of Palm Springs Strolling through downtown Palm Springs is a favorite activity for many travelers — and there are the most unique spots to sit down and take five. “The Art Benches of Palm Springs” include over 50 benches up and down Palm Canyon Drive. Each one has a unique design hand-painted by a local artist. Local artist Tysen Knight shepherded the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission project. He also designed the first group of benches. It became an important stream of support for desert artists affected by the COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020. The outcome was so popular that it led to even more painted benches around the city. Not only will you find these downtown, but also at the Palm Springs Convention Center and Palm Springs International Airport. Tysen Knight From colorful cacti to bold abstract prints, see how many you can spot on your stroll through the city! A bit of trivia: The Art Benches of Palm Springs project was inspired by the Public Works of Art Project, which was undertaken during the Great Depression. Backstreet Arts District Tucked off Highway 111 against the mountains is a not-to-be-missed collection of galleries and working studios known as the Backstreet Arts District. For nearly 20 years, this spot has been a home for local artists who want to share their work with the community. Visitors will immediately notice the sheer variety of work on display. Some gallerists put up their own works, while others curated mixed media from local artists. Kelly Truscott, an artist and gallerist who operates a space at Backstreet, says there’s always something new for visitors to check out. Some gallerists will also operate their workshops or classes at their space. “One of the many wonderful things about Backstreet is the art is always changing, and that is so appealing to art lovers,” she said. “If one gallery or studio leaves, another will take its place.” One of the best times for visitors to come to check out Backstreet is on the first Wednesday of every month from 5 pm to 8 pm. This free monthly art walk is open to all and a great way to check out the local art scene in Palm Springs. The event is held rain or shine, making it the ideal spot to meet and mingle with local art enthusiasts and bring home the perfect piece to add to your collection. Or, check out their website to find hours for individual businesses. Desert Art Center Right in the middle of Palm Springs is the longtime creative hub called the Desert Art Center. Here, artists and art lovers can take in a new gallery show every eight weeks. Christine Houser, who handles marketing for the center, said, “It’s unique to be a member-driven arts collective in Palm Springs. And it’s one of the oldest art institutions in the area, operating continuously for more than 70 years.” “If offers a broad collection of fine art in its 2,000 square feet of gallery space.” Additionally she want on to say, “Visitors to the Desert Art Center can also scope out a temporary pop-up show in our Studio Gallery the first weekend of every month.” There are also annual shows like January’s Art Under the Eaves. The Desert Art Center is a go-to spot for local art classes, including painting, drawing, ceramics, and more. Artists of any age and ability are welcome. Drop-in rates exist for visitors who want to take a single class or just want to experiment with different mediums. Some art workshops are held outside on the lawn – a special treat for anyone looking to take inspiration from the majesty of the San Jacinto Mountains. Fun fact: the space at the Desert Art Center was the first schoolhouse in Palm Springs! Graffiti Yard Street art has a strong and inspired legacy in California. Palm Springs visitors will find a homegrown collection right in the heart of downtown. Located right off Palm Canyon Drive at East Andreas Road, it’s now often referred to as The Block. You will also find the Forever Marilyn statue and the new public park here. The Graffiti Yard was commissioned by the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission in 2019. It is a colorful complement to the murals and installations of downtown Palm Springs. It’s a worthy stop for any lover of street art, especially since the medium is always changing. Experienced street artists are invited to add to the collection as well. Head to Palm Desert first to visit Flat Black Art Supplies, which curates the site, and get your supplies! Credit: David Lee Palm Springs Art Museum This established and well-known center of arts and culture in the desert is a highlight of any visit to downtown Palm Springs. The museum’s permanent collection has over 12,000 pieces, including works from. Plus, two main floor galleries feature touring exhibits from around the world. It also has its own history: The Palm Springs Art Museum originally opened in 1938 as a science museum focused on the natural world. It went through several locations and smaller footprints before the mountainside masterpiece by E. Stewart Williams opened in the mid-1970s. You can check,. it out for free on Thursday nights from 4 pm to 8 pm. This is part of a long-running program from the City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission. 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7 Hikes In Palm Canyons Wed, December 29, 2021 by Randy Garner All these hikes begin at the Palm Canyons Trail located at the Trading Post. Enter Indian Canyons via South Palm Canyon Drive and follow the signs to Indian Canyons. From downtown stay to the right on South Palm Canyon when the road curves left to East Palm Canyon. The tollgate is at 38520 S. Palm Canyon Drive, just a couple miles further. From the tollgate, proceed 2.5 miles to the Palm Canyon parking lot where the trading post is located high on a ridge. There is a nice vista view of the city from this vantage point. A trail map is available at the tollgate. Online Trail Guide Note: There is a fee for entrance into Indian Canyons. You can purchase tickets in advance. To Palm Canyon Trading Post 1 – Fern Canyon Trail 3.5 Miles, Moderate Fern Canyon Map The trail begins to the left of Palm Canyon Trail. It turns right and crosses over Palm Canyon Creek. After 1 mile, you will reach the area where ferns grow, especially in a wet winter. It offers great views of the South Palm Canyon near Hermit’s Bench and good vistas of Palm Springs and San Jacinto Mountains. You can hike back to the trading post for an out and back hike, or you can access Vanderventer Trail and the Hahn Buena Vista Trail from the Fern Canyon Trail for a longer scenic hike loop. 2 – Palm Canyon Trail to the Stone Pools 6 miles, Moderate, Palm Canyon to Stone Pools Map Drop down into Palm Canyon from the trading post and continue south for about a half mile until you cross the Palm Canyon Creek to your left. Follow the creek another .5 miles until you reach the marker indicating the trail crosses the stream and climbs up the south bank. Soon the trail will open to a magnificent view of the canyons. Hike 2 miles and you will reach a dirt wash road. Take the trail straight ahead rather than following with wash. Follow the trail 1 mile and you will arrive at a place where the trail begins to fade into the sandy rock, but remains visible. Turn right toward the canyon bottom and it will lead you to an area known at the Stone Pools along Palm Canyon Creek. In a wet year, water flows freely and deep, often creating a series of small pools. In a dry year, water is sporadic. Credit: Brian Dearth 3 – Lower Palm Canyon Trail 4 miles, Easy, Lower Palm Canyon Trail Map For the first .75 mile your will be hiking just above the creek. Enjoy the incredible concentration of palm trees, cottonwoods, and desert plants. The trail will then drop down to the creek and cross over to the left. In a wet year, the water in the creek can be high. This is a great introduction to desert hiking requiring only modest effort. For longer and more strenuous hikes, hike through the palm groves and connect with the Victor or Palm Canyon Trail. 4 – Victor Trail / Fern Canyon 2.5 – 5 miles, Easy Victor Trail Map Head down the Palm Canyon trail, hike .5 miles, and cross over the creek. In another .5 miles, you will see the Victor Trail. You can hike up the hill to your left and see great views of Palm Canyon below and mountains in the distance. After 1 mile, you will drop back down into Palm Canyon and follow the stream back to the trading post. Another option is to continue north until you reach the sign for the Fern Canyon Trail. This hike is great to do when the water is flowing because you will see the giant ferns that inhabit the area. Then just turn around and head back to the post for an out and back hike. 5 – East Fork / Fern Canyon Loop Trail 7.5 miles, Moderate, East Fork Trail Map This hike takes you into the backcountry east of Palm Canyon. Follow Palm Canyon Trail for .5 miles and cross over the creek. Continue east at the junction and it becomes the East Fork Trail. For the next 2 miles you will be walking in a sandy bottom canyon, steadily gaining elevation until you reach the Vanderventer Trail. Then turn left and hike 2 more miles along a ridge that occasionally drops into and out of small washes and canyons. Follow the signs toward Fern Canyon and the trading post. 6 – West Fork Trail to Andreas Canyon 10 miles, Experienced, West Fork Trail Map Car shuttle required – This hike ends in Andreas Canyon, not back to the Palm Canyon trading post. The West Fork Trail climbs steadily upward out of Palm Canyon toward the Pacific Crest Trail and Desert Divide, 6,000 feet above the valley floor. Look for the signpost, which marks the beginning of the trail. This trail is steep and strenuous, so be prepared, take plenty of water, and avoid hiking on hot days. After 2 miles, take the trail to the right. This will lead you to a stream. As you continue, you will emerge overlooking Murray Canyon. The trail then descends and crosses several streams. The trail eventually joins with Murray Canyon and onto Andreas Canyon. 7 – Palm Canyon to Indian Potrero 9 miles, Moderate, Palm Canyon to Indian Potrero Map Head down the Palm Canyon trail and head toward the large grove of palms and picnic tables to the south. Follow the creek for .5 miles, cross over, and walk along the canyon bottom. In about another .5 miles you will see a sign for the Indian Potrero Trail. Cross over and begin to climb to the wide-open views of the canyon and mountains. In the winter, there is a generous stream to enjoy. The trail eventually meets back up with the Palm Canyon Trail and you can return on the same trail. By Randy Garner Hikes In Palm Springs Palm Springs Hiking Guide
Palm Springs is Just Right for Intimate to Mid-size Weddings Fri, December 17, 2021 by Randy Garner Not Too Big — Not Too Small By Barbara Beckley It’s your Big Day! And when you want to be surrounded by cherished family and friends – yet still make it memorable – Palm Springs is your perfect choice! With romantic inns and mid-sized hotels at every turn, framed by picture-perfect mountains under sunny skies and starry nights, Palm Springs is a dream come true for ceremonies from two (plus your witnesses) to 200 of your besties. And don’t worry about logistics. Most Palm Springs properties have in-house planners and many welcome buy-outs for added fun and privacy. Here’s a sampling of Wedding Day bliss in Palm Springs. Tida Svy Photography Engaging Inns A beautiful rooftop deck with 360-degree views, and 18 luxurious private villas make La Serena Villas fabulous for saying “I Do.” Its eclectic-Mediterranean-style furnishings, onsite Azucar restaurant with a full bar and unique cocktails; sparkling fountain and tiled courtyard event areas are perfect for wedding parties of up to 100. Exchange vows amid bougainvillea and palms in the romantic Hacienda Fountain Court behind the gates of the Ingleside Inn . A celebrity favorite since the 1930s, with 30 luxe suites on two acres, it’s ideal for up to 100 guests. Gather poolside for cocktails at dusk, then party into the night on Melvyn’s iconic dance floor. Melvyn’s fine dining restaurant and onsite planners make everything easy. Consider reserving the entire estate for a blowout wedding weekend. @dayannarsanchez Give your nuptials a South Beach vibe at the Movie Colony Hotel . Its stunning 2,000-square-foot pool deck, cozy courtyard and patio spaces; and 16 modernist-style rooms including three poolside bi-level suites with mountain views promise festivities you and your guests will always remember. The in-house events team makes sure of that. Credit: Casy & Kristi wedding Casa Cody is all romance – featuring winding paths, 30 beautifully renovated bungalows, including four free-standing homes; two pools, sweeping lawns and rambling gardens on 1.5 walled acres. Harriet’s Lawn is popular for weddings of up to 150 guests and the Apache Pool & Lawn is perfect for weddings of 75 to 100 guests. For pre-wedding prep: the Adobe House, which fits 12-15 people, is perfect for you and your bridesmaids; and Winter’s House, also 12-15 people, for your groom and groomsmen. Mid-Size Marvels Courtyards, fountains, flowers, fragrant manicured grounds – it’s as if the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows was made for weddings. Tayler Ashley Photography Regency-Style This Hollywood Regency-style stunner features 76 lodgings, including 13 private villas; three pools and glamorous event venues across four acres. For starters, the Regency Courtyard boasts petite formal gardens with olive tree-topiaries and blooming citrus, and a 35-square-foot cabana with raised platform (ideal for exchanging vows) for up to 90 seated guests, and 170 theatre-style. The Regency Pool is like a “secret garden” for up to 100 people standing (perhaps the après cocktail party). The Presidio Pool is so beautiful it was featured on the cover of Conde Nast Traveler no less!! Flanked by dramatic white cabanas, it’s ideal for the ceremony or reception of up to 170 guests. Michelle Garibay Events The Presidio Courtyard features a groomed lawn perfect for an outdoor dinner or reception of up to 170. And inside – the Presidio Ballroom glitters with chandeliers and mirrors and can accommodate a sizeable dance floor and up to 120 seated guests. Its French doors open onto the Presidio Courtyard. Also, the Estrella Courtyard & Cabanas is great for bridal parties and receptions of up to 80, and up to 40 for seated dinners. In-house planners help every step of the way. Yes, you can buy out the entire property. Michelle Garibay Events Hip Organic If you like to draw outside the lines – give your wedding a hip organic/bohemian vibe at the ACE Hotel & Swim Club . It boasts 179 rooms, a spa, two big pools and 4,000 square feet of “modular creative” event space for either an outdoor wedding or a window-filled indoor ceremony and party for up to 150 guests. EPlove Photography Tiki Inspired Also the fun-filled, tiki-inspired Caliente Tropics , a 90-room, mid-century charmer – and amazingly affordable hotel – boasting Palm Springs’ largest pool (legend says Elvis Presley swam in it) and a huge pool-adjacent events lawn under towering palms. The lawn easily accommodates party tents and under-the-sun or -stars outdoor weddings of up to 250 guests. The tiki-inspired lobby is also available for up to 120 people. Spanish Hacienda The Triada Palm Springs offers a modern twist on Palm Springs’ classic Spanish hacienda style ambiance. Pathways connect its 56 unique rooms and 21 suites, scattered upstairs and down in multiple buildings; two pools and private sundecks. Say “I do,” poolside under the stars, with candle-lit pathways leading to your reception in the Spanish Lobby. Indoor and outdoor event spaces range from 650 to 2,000 square feet. The onsite wedding team is ready when you are. Steve Hermann Design More romantic than ever, following a multi-million dollar redo, The Colony Palms wows brides, grooms and guests with three acres of verdant grounds, 57 elegant guestrooms and bungalows including the Palm D’Or Suite (once the private residence of Frank Sinatra), a spa and two pools: one saltwater and one fresh. Enjoy the intimacy of a hotel buy-out and beautiful wedding ceremony on the Garden Lawn followed by a poolside reception for up to 160 guests. Lauren Scotti Photography Pinterest Wedding Inspiration