A beautiful piece of Mid-century modern history in the Tamarisk Country Club area is Da Vall Estates Rancho Mirage designed by the Southern California architect Val Powelson in 1961. Val Powelson designed the five buildings in the 20 unit co-op in the shape of a four-pointed star.

Drama in the Details at Da Vall Estates Rancho Mirage

The star shape and A-framed roofs allow for maximum light and views into the homes. The steep A-frame roof with wide eaves allows for maximum light into the floor-to-ceiling windows but protects the home from the direct sun. Other dramatic details include the triangular chimney on the outside with a stunning angled fireplace surround on the inside and the pitched exposed beamed and tongue and grooved ceilings on the inside. The pitched open ceilings create great volume and airiness to the open-plan living and fabulous wall space to highlight wall art.

Patios on each side of the living area sliders connect the home to the outdoor and the views beyond. The compact galley kitchen has a wide pass-through to the breakfast bar, great for setting up a bar or buffet at your next party. The same dramatic open pitched ceilings in the living space continue into the airy bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling jalousied windows.

The five buildings share a pool set into the landscaped grounds with the wide mountain views beyond. This co-op was built in 1961 by the MarVal company, a partnership between Val Powelson and Robert Marx, son of one of the famed Marx brothers, Gummo. Val Powelson also designed Robert Marx’s residence, 1957, the Maranz “Gull Wing House”, 1961, in the Tamarisk Country Club area both of which was built by MarVal and LA’s Sunbow House with folded-plate roof, 1961.

For more information on the Da Vall Estates Rancho Mirage or other similar architectural properties in the Palm Springs area call Matt or Paul at 760-459-1396 or visit www.PaulKaplanGroup.com

Visit the virtual tour, Da Vall Estates Rancho Mirage

–Tracy Merrigan

Mid-Century Palm Springs Condo, Living in Light, A Master Architect Created a Jewel box of a Home

Do you dream of having a hip pad in Palm Springs where you can drop your bag by the door and the party has already started? Do you love bright, open spaces but value your privacy? Do you have that perfect piece of art that can carry a whole room?

This beautiful Mid-Century Palm Springs condo for sale in South Palm Springs’ Canyon Club Estates fills all those needs and more. It starts off with your private covered entry with decorative concrete block, planters and fabulous door.

The architect of this Mid-Century Palm Springs condo home is the modernist A. Quincy Jones, famous for designing the magnificent Annenberg estate Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, 1965. One of the signatures of his architecture are park-like settings like Canyon Club Estates.(1) (more…)

The Paul Kaplan Group is excited to be listing another classic example of Palm Springs Mid-Century Real Estate.  Located on a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of the historic Palm Springs’ Racquet Club Road Estates neighborhood, this mid-century home is one of the best  examples of the forward-thinking design of the architecture team, Palmer and Krisel. The original design has been brought back to life from years of neglect and poor remodeling choices;  It is elegantly simple: a “butterfly” sloping roof thin plane, with tongue-and-groove ceilings resting gently on beams and posts, the purest modernist expression of form and function. Twelve-foot wide sliding glass retractable doors allow the free flowing open plan to continue outdoors, featuring an oversized yard, sparkling pool, lounging area, accented by a gas fire pit. The addition of clerestory windows, seen in the original 1959 blueprints but never originally built, open up the living room to capture views of the majestic San Jacinto mountain that guard over the Palm Springs valley. Inside, natural materials express themselves including concrete floors, wood paneling accents, as well as heavy timbered ceiling beams. Recent renovations include custom natural wood cabinets in the kitchen, quartz-style countertops and stainless appliances, baths upgraded with designer tile, and sleek modern fixtures and fittings.

A thorough renovation, took the home down the the studs, and then restored from the inside out.  New systems, including plumbing, electrical, heating and airconditiong, bring 21st century comforts to this classic Palm Springs mid-century home.    Offered at $549,000.  Click here for more information.

Paul Kaplan of The Paul Kaplan Group announced today the return of Escena Palm Springs, a This Century Modern home development in Palm Springs, CA. Escena, like many other new home developments lay fallow during the economic downturn, but builders are responding to increased demand for homes in the Coachella Valley.

“This Century Modern designs are a spin-off of Mid-century Modern which are still the rage in Southern California,” remarked Kaplan, owner of The Paul Kaplan Group, a real estate firm that specializes in Mid-century Modern resale homes in Palm Springs. Continuing, Kaplan says, “but the major differences are in the construction. In newer homes, buyers get the sleek architecture combined with modern features like upgraded insulation, electrical, and energy-saving features. Plus, the developments offer features such as world-class golf courses, club houses, and as in Escena, top-notch restaurants. You get it all.”

During the economic downturn, Escena’s builder, Lennar, like many other builders in the area, stopped building with the intent of letting the development lay fallow until the market improved. Alta Verde, the new developer at Escena Palm Springs, recently announced that it is set to build 130 new luxury homes in the “This Century Modern” community. Alta Verde will launch four distinctive modern home designs that range from 2,000 and 2,800 square feet, which provide open floor plans, stunning architecture and dramatic desert views. Reservations for sales will commence this summer.

And, the existing homes at Escena have remained popular. “There is currently just one of the original Escena homes originally built by Lennar being offered. The home has all of the  luxury amenities that buyers want, and has a sleek  Modern style. This Century Modern home features  generously sized bedrooms and more bathrooms, a two car garage with golf car partking, wet bars, and guest casita. The kitchen comes with under cabinet lighting, islands, and so on.”  Click here for more information.

Escena Palm Springs, for instance features a top notch Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course that was voted the 6th best public golf course in California. An elegant $15 million clubhouse that features Chef Oscar Ayala’s legendary Escena Grill which is sure to please golfers and fans alike. “We are very proud to present these homes as Escena makes its reappearance in the This Century Modern home market,” added Kaplan. “We’d like to invite everyone who is interested in Mid-century Modern design but wants the latest features in building and design to tour Escena.”

The Paul Kaplan Group office is located at 1701 N Palm Canyon Drive Suite 5, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 and can be reached by phone at 760-459-1396 or via email at info@paulkaplangroup.com. Their website
is located at www.PaulKaplanGroup.com.

Their retail store is located at Raymond | Lawrence, 830 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA.

Check out our latest Escena post here

Palm Springs Modernism Week-  Event highlights- 

The offerings this year of mid-century themed events, forums, and general fun activities in Palm Springs for Modernism Week is rich and abundant, as usual.  To further spice up this year many new retail design-focused mod style storefronts have opened their doors with enticing objects! They further excite and entreat  strolling on Palm Canyon in the famed Uptown District, to make this perhaps an even more exciting year for modernism enthusiasts who also like to do a bit of mod-shopping between films and forums.  The Palm Springs Uptown District now looks the perfect stage for Mod and is!

The Paul Kaplan Group just received the schedule of films and forums being presented by our friends at Design Onscreen 4th Annual Archituree and Design Film Series.  A variety of subjects will be covered, relating to general architecture, cultural interest and abundant offerings for mid-century aficionados, as part of the celebration of Modernism Week, February 19th to the 22nd.

Donald Wexler

Where to begin, in some cases, it’s a who’s who of the protean influencers with something extra on top, as in, let’s have lunch with Donald Wexler the ultra-innovative designer (pioneer in the use of steel) and the director, Jake Gorst of the film being presented, “Journeyman Architect: The Life and Work of Donald Wexler.”  Take a stroll on Palm Canyon Boulevard in the Uptown District,  and then take in the film “with gorgeous cinematography”, “Modern Tide: Midcentury Architecture on Long Island” heralding and highlighting the influence of the post-war greats (Albert Frey, Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson, to name a few) focused on Long Island, New York’s architectural gems. THEN, top this off with a reception at TRIO with the director.

William Krisel

For Alexander construction fans, make space in your calendar to view the film and the rare opportunity to have lunch with William Krisel “who brought modernism to the masses”. The documentary will be of particular interest to any who are not in-depth familiar with his 1930’s roots in China or critical review commentaries by his peer group.

If you’re interested in socio/cultural complexities of designing and building massive public projects, take in the film “Bird’s Nest” a Palm Springs premiere on the design and construction of Beijing’s 100,000 seat National Stadium.  Also insightful culturally, is the film “Unfinished Spaces” which portrays three ambitious young architects against the backdrop of Castro’s early regime, an artistic peak, then languishing; but promises a full circle closure to a new peak attained in our current time. We are inspired by happy endings.

Another Palm Springs premiere, “John Portman: A Life of Building”, “an intimate portrait”, who can resist!  There are another dozen, all of equal merit or interest to us; we will make more room on our calendar!

We look forward to seeing you at these events.  Tickets sell out quickly so best to plan in advance if you would like to attend any of these offerings.

DESIGN ONSCREEN & Palm Springs Modernism Week

   2012 Architecture and Design Film Series February 19-22

Frank Sinatra had a number of homes in the Palm Springs area over the years-  Probably the most famous is the one by E. Stewart Williams, Twin Palms, in the center of Palm Springs.

However this is his family estate that he built in Rancho Mirage, in the Tamarisk Country Club.  It just hit the market at a whopping $4.5 million!  Built in 1970, it consists of 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, in 6900 sf of living space on a lot that’s 21,344 sf. 

Heres the description from the actual listing:

Former FRANK SINATRA Family Estate – Built by Sinatra on land originally owned by JACK BENNY; Named WONDER ESTATES — This Upscale home has had guest Celebrities, Movie Directors, and the Rich & Famous! Expansive backyard on the 17th Double Fairway of Tamarisk Country Club; Tennis Cts in C.C. Over 6,900 sf., 4 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms — Elegant Versace Furnishings; Gourmet Kitchen w/triple Stainless Refrigerator for those who like to Cook, like Frank did! Pool Table, Gym, Big Screen TVS, Resort-Style Pool & Spa w/Waterslide; over 20,000 SF of pristine landscaped grounds; Outdoor BBQ & Party Island; Filmed for TV by CBS Channel 2! FULLY TURNKEY FURNISHED — Bring your Bathing Suit & Toothbrush! Located in CENTER OF PRESTIGIOUS RANCHO MIRAGE — 5 Minutes to The River, Eisenhower Medical; 5-Star Restaurants; Theatres; Agua Caliente Spa & Casino; Shop & Dine at The River or El Paseo. YES, IT’S THE GOOD LIFE!

Guess what, its offered furnished too!!  Ok, this isn’t the typical groovey mid-century home that we typically feature-  as you can see from the pics-  but if living in a home that has some celebrity pedigree sounds appealing to you, then this is your house!  (and no doubt it could be a great vacation rental that could most likely generate big bucks!)

Here are more pic’s:

Listed by Power Brokers International.  Listing informatin courtesy of the Desert Area MLS.  For more information, contact The Paul Kaplan Group.