Palm Springs 75, today is the birthday celebration for our beloved city of Palm Springs. 75 years of a sun-filled and fun lifestyle that is a hallmark of our city. We love all of Palm Springs’ history but here at the Paul Kaplan Group we celebrate our mid-century past and the architecture that has made Palm Springs famous.

The Alexanders by James R. Harlan

Join us for the free city birthday party at the O’Donnell Golf Course from 3 to 9 pm today for food, fireworks and festivities. We are celebrating all the decades of our history and the Paul Kaplan Group is helping celebrate the Alexanders. Look for the Alexander banners and come by to say hello.

 

Enjoy the Palm Springs 75 celebration and don’t miss the fireworks!!

Here are a few Alexander Construction Co. homes to get you in the mood to celebrate, for more call Paul at 760-459-1396 or visit our website www.PaulKaplanGroup.com

–Tracy Merrigan

For the past few years the sounds of new home development in Palm Springs have been silent, the plaques of home builders along the entrance to our desert towns disappeared.  For example,  parking spaces at the South Palm Springs Oceo development remained empty while the Koffi next door was booming.  The Port Lawrence sign disappeared to be replaced with a nicely landscaped parking area.  Escena lots remained virtually vacant with no activity other then golfer and diners enjoying the clubhouse.

Escena Skylar Lane home sold by the Paul Kaplan Group

Palm Springs Budding Signs of New Home Development

Over that last months the signs of new home development have been budding: Oceo’s new parking lot looks busy;  residential developers signs, like  Escena’s Alta Verde and Lennar, are popping up on the entrance to town; plans have been approved to start the new downtown development and a final tour of the Fashion Plaza took place this Tuesday before they demolish the building.

Developers have been responding to what they see as pent-up demand in the market by purchasing land and finished lots. While mortgage lending is still tight and appraisals are still low, building homes on finished lots allows the developer to save on upfront costs. Look for homes to be built in phases; developers to specialize in a specific design; certain builders, like Lennar, to include upgraded items in the base price as an enticement and developers to focus on creating an enhanced lifestyle experience, Sol a new project in central Palm Springs will be centered around a communal dog park.

Incredible view from the Escena Wilson Lane home represented by Kris Rain at the Paul Kaplan Group

Mid-Century Modern for New Home Design (more…)

Modernism Week Meet-Up

It’s been a busy week for the Paul Kaplan Group in Palm Springs at Modernism Week. We love modernism, supporting our community & taking care of our clients. So we’ve been busy entertaining, volunteering, participating and of course showing property.

This is some of what our group has been up to during Modernism Week.

Modernism Week at the Paul Kaplan Group in Palm Springs

Check out the Desert Sun article on our Modernism Yard Sale.

www.PaulKaplanGroup.com

Call us at 760-459-1396

Visit us at 1701 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA  92262

––Tracy Merrigan

Food, Fun and Fabulous Shopping!!

Celebrate with the Paul Kaplan Group at our Modernism Week Yard Sale

Sunday, February 24  8am to 1pm

hosted by the Paul Kaplan Group and Modern Bear

Paul Kaplan Group Modernism Week Yard Sale

Tasty Treats and maybe some Tall Tales to share with friends

Want to sell stuff at our Modernism Week Yard Sale?

For Booth Info, Email Chris Bale at: chris@paulkaplangroup.com
We’ll see you there!

Check out the Modernism Week site for information on all the week’s events.

We have some exciting new mid-century modern listings at the Paul Kaplan Group. See them here at www.PaulKaplanGroup.com

Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage

Sat.-Sun., Jan. 26-27, 2013

These homes are architectural stunners!

This week’s Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage feature a Magnesia Falls Cove mid-century home with great modern style and a co-op in Da Vall Estates designed by Val Powelson in Rancho Mirage. A gorgeous town home in South Palm Springs Country Club Estates by A. Quincy Jones and a newly built home that is an ode to Cliff May, the father of the Mid-Century ranch home, and has fantastic Palm Springs’ views.

It’s a great group of homes and we hope to see you there. Call Paul at 760-459-1396 for more information or additional listings.

For all the open houses Palm Springs this weekend, click here or visit www.paulkaplangroup.com

Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage – Architecture with Style

Open House: SAT., JANUARY 26 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM SUN,, JANUARY 27 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 2789 N Junipero Ave, Palm Springs, CA $ Call for Price Newly constructed in the style of Cliff May, the father of the Ranch House, this stunning home pays homage to mid-century era design with the … Click for more information or to schedule a private viewing Click for Directions!

Open House: SAT., JANUARY 26 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 37800 Da Vall Dr #32, Rancho Mirage, CA $238000 Own a piece of Mid-century modern history at Da Vall Estates in the Tamarisk Country Club area. This fabulous 20 unit co-op in Rancho Mirage … Click for more information or to schedule a private viewing Click for Directions!

Open House: SAT., JANUARY 26 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM 71382 Biskra Road, Rancho Mirage $499000 Single Family, Mid Century – Rancho Mirage, CA 71382 Biskra Rd A modern twist on Mid-century- In an enclave of other super cool homes, you`ll … Click for more information or to schedule a private viewing Click for Directions!

Open House: SAT., JANUARY 26 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM SUN., JANUARY 27 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 750 La Verne Way, Palm Springs, CA $389000 Iconic Mid Century Modern Architecture in South Palm Springs on FEE SIMPLE Land. A. Quincy Jones Country Club Estates. Slick & Sexy with mountain and … Click for more information or to schedule a private viewing Click for Directions!

Palm Springs Mid-Century Homes over $500,000Palm Springs Mid-Century Homes under $500,000Palm Springs Condos for SalePalm Springs Hot ListingsSearch All Homes For SalePalm Springs Homes For SaleWhat is your home worth? Paul Kaplan Paul Kaplan Group, Inc 760-459-1396 Paul@PaulKaplanGroup.com

Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage

Sat.-Sun., Jan. 19-20, 2013

These great homes are ready to move-in.

This week’s Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage feature a Magnesia Falls mid-century home with great modern style. A beautifully cared for Alexander-built Racquet Club Estates post and beam home and a newly built home that is an ode to Cliff May, the father of the Mid-Century ranch home and has fantastic Palm Springs’ views. (more…)

Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Sat.-Sun., Jan. 12-13, 2013

with two homes in prime Palm Springs Golf Neighborhoods

This week’s Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Cathedral City feature a newly renovated in Cathedral Canyon Cove with beautiful kitchen and pool and a brand new mid-century style home in Palm Spring’s Chino Canyon. This new home is an ode to Cliff May, the father of the Mid-Century ranch home and has fantastic Palm Springs’ views.

Palm Springs Golfer’s Dream, Escena and Tahquitz River Creek

Our other two homes are in the Palm Springs golf neighborhoods of Escena and Tahquitz River Creek. Both have incredible panoramic views and overlook the golf course. The Escena home was built in 2006 with space for pool. The Tahquitz home is a mid-century Alexander ranch home with lots of original details.

It’s a great group of homes and we hope to see you there. Call Paul at 760-459-1396 for more information or additional listings.

For all the open houses Palm Springs this weekend, click here or visit www.paulkaplangroup.com (more…)

Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Saturday, January 5, 2013

Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage

Newly Renovated, Newly Constructed and a Mid-Century Condo to Die For.

This week’s Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage feature 2 great properties that are newly renovated in Cathedral Canyon Cove with beautiful kitchens, a brand new mid-century style home in Palm Spring’s Chino Canyon and a hip mid-century condo in Rancho Mirage with lots of original details.

The new home is an ode to Cliff May, the father of the Mid-Century ranch home and has fantastic Palm Springs’ views. The Rancho Mirage condo was designed by Val Powelson and features vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows.

It’s a great group of homes and we hope to see you there. Call Paul at 760-459-1396 for more information or additional listings.

See our post, Why is Da Vall Estates Rancho Mirage so Special?

For all the open houses Palm Springs this weekend, click here or visit www.paulkaplangroup.com (more…)

This lecture and tour by the Palm Springs Art Museum about the Mid-Century Modern Racquet Club Garden Villas is a great opportunity this coming weekend to get a peek at the villas designed by William Cody and built by Paul Trousdale. Originally part of the famous Racquet Club, the villas were intended to give guests privacy but easy access to resort activities.

A Desert Oasis at the Mid-Century Modern Racquet Club Garden Villas

Lushly landscaped by Philip A. Shipley, landscape architect to celebrities such as Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra and Steven Spielberg, the complex boasts a babbling brook, amazing views, beautiful pool and mature plantings that have created an oasis in the desert at the Mid-Century Modern Racquet Club Garden Villas.

Constructing California – The Legacy of Paul Trousdale   Saturday, January 5, 2013 10 a.m. Lecture Hall, Palm Springs Art Museum Author and historian Steven M. Price (the forthcoming “Over The Top – the Architectural History of Trousdale Estates”) takes a look at the history and accomplishments of famed builder/developer Paul Whitney Trousdale, from his post-war housing developments by the hundreds, landmark retail and commercial innovations throughout the American West, and culminating in his crowning achievement, the haven of “mid-century marvelous” known as Trousdale Estates, in Beverly Hills.   The one hour lecture will be followed by a one hour site visit to the William Cody-designed/Trousdale built Racquet Club Garden Villas, which will feature several units ranging from a museum quality studio suite to Paul Trousdale’s own two-bedroom villa with private pool.   Tickets remain but are selling fast.  Tickets are $25, including the site visit and can be purchased by contacting the Box Office at 760-325-4490.  For additional information please contact Paul Ortega, at 760-322-4818. _________________________________________________________________________

For more pictures click here, or for more information on the Racquet Club Garden Villas visit www.PaulKaplanGroup.com or call Paul at 760-459-1396.

––Tracy Merrigan

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