New in the Neighborhood

Check out 26 neighborhood tours during Modernism Week next February 2022!

Modernism Week’s signature February festival will take place February 17 – 27, 2022, highlighting midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. Some of the most sought-after events during Modernism Week are the curated tours of stunning homes in some of the area’s most historic neighborhoods. This year, Modernism Week will feature 26 tours in these neighborhoods, including Old Las Palmas, Twin Palms, Historic Tennis Club, Indian Canyons, Vista Las Palmas, and many more. Several neighborhood tours will take place in Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. In addition, Modernism Week participants may choose to experience twelve engaging walking tours of historic Palm Springs neighborhoods. Tickets for these tours and all other Modernism Week events are on sale now at modernismweek.com. 

One of the hallmarks of Modernism Week are the popular neighborhood tours. This is a special opportunity to experience the unique character of different neighborhoods throughout the Palm Springs area. These tours not only help unite the neighborhoods, but they also enable the tour organizers to raise funds with ticket proceeds to use for community improvements or to be donated to local charities. We are honored to work with our partners and grateful that they share their neighborhoods and homes.

– Lisa Vossler Smith, Modernism Week Executive Director –

Highlights of the neighborhood tours that still have tickets available during Modernism Week 2022 include:

Calypso Palms Maiden Tour (2/25/22, $45)
Located just steps from the celebrated and historic Purple Room, Calypso Palms is a small midcentury modern community built in 1960 with only 12 units. This complex initially served as executive suites for the Club Trinidad Hotel, and served as housing for the “A” list entertainers of the day that were performing at the Club Trinidad’s Purple Room. These 1960 bungalows were built surrounding a central community pool and feature several architecturally significant design elements such as decorative cast block walls, clerestory windows, and beautifully angled roof lines. 

Country Club Estates, 1965- A Celebration of Famed Architect “A. Quincy Jones” 
(2/19/22, $60)
Country Club Estates is a South Palm Springs refuge of rare distinction. Designed by “Sunnylands” architect A. Quincy Jones, this sprawling 5-acre development is the only residential housing in Palm Springs by the famed architect. Built in 1965 and remarkably intact, the enclave of 30 residences is gathered around park-like walkways, gardens and a pool with magnificent panoramic views of the San Jacinto mountain range. Each home was designed for “inside-outside living and spaciousness” around a central open atrium, a signature detail by the architect, that maximizes the light and the views in every room as well as providing fresh air and private outdoor space.  

El Rancho Vista Estates Home Tour (2/26/22, $65)
Built between 1960-1964 by Chicago developer Roy Fey, El Rancho Vista Estates features compact homes with brightly colored doorways, striking desert landscaping, and breeze-block carports that will transport participants to California of yesteryear. Architects Donald Wexler and Richard A. Harrison created a community of simple modernist bungalows and low-slung ranch homes that were affordable for middle class families looking for a vacation getaway. Today, this time-capsule neighborhood is remarkably intact with most homes restored to their original footprint and floor plans.  

Explore A Modernist Time Capsule From Another Millennium (Pompeii de las Palmas (2/20/22, $40)
Pompeii de las Palmas is a Roman Revival style of modernist architecture designated as a Class-One Historical District complex in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood. Largely untouched, Pompeii de las Palmas remains a rare gem in the Coachella Valley. Originally constructed in 1964 as luxury seasonal rentals, it is organized into 3 separate buildings. The complex is guaranteed to impress with its central colonnade and beautiful half-circle pool.

Historic Tennis Club Tour of Homes (2/26/22, $110)
This is the first time this tour of The Historic Tennis Club neighborhood, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Palm Springs, is available to Modernism Week participants. The tour will feature seven midcentury or modern homes and condominiums, with each residence featuring clean lines with minimalist exteriors and interiors that have large open floor plans with magnificent floor to ceiling windows, perfect for enjoying the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains that surround the neighborhood. 

Kings Point: A Blueprint for Modern Living (2/19/22, $95)
Kings Point is in the most southern section of the Indian Canyons neighborhood, offering unparalleled views of the nearby San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountain ranges. It is one of the most distinctive and polished midcentury modern residential communities in Palm Springs.  Its 44 homes and landscaping were designed by iconic Southern California architect and licensed landscape designer William Krisel for developer Robert Grundy, who gave him an unusual amount of creative freedom. The homes offer near-original interiors and furnishings and very modern takes on classic late midcentury styling.  

Little Tuscany Neighborhood Home Tour (2/19/22, $140)
The Little Tuscany neighborhood boasts notable midcentury and modern gems by such noted architects as William Cody, Walter White, E. Stewart Williams, Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, Ray Kappe, Lance O’Donnell, and Sean Lockyer. This tour includes an impressive mix of homes ranging from classic midcentury modern to stunning contemporary designs. Among the eight homes on tour are the E. Stewart Williams’ Edris House, a Desert Palisades home designed by Woods Dangaran, a steel frame house, a tiki style residence, a midcentury modern “rock ‘n roll” home with a Gibson guitar-shaped infinity pool, the recently remodeled Magda Gabor residence, and the Hundred Mile House by Duane Smith. 

Mesquite Canyon Estates – A Late Midcentury Modern Enclave (2/26/22, $50)
Mesquite Canyon Estates is a Palm Springs gem comprised of 40 homes representing late midcentury modern architecture based on Palmer-Krisel designs, situated on 17 landscaped acres. The homes feature classic desert living indoor/outdoor spaces with bright skylit interiors. Floor to ceiling windows and doors open out to private courtyards in front and patios in back with spectacular mountain views. Three different roof configurations, each with unique clerestory window designs, provide added individuality as well as large, sunlit volumes inside.   

Park Imperial South: Experience the Original Concept for Palm Springs Resort Living (2/19/22, $65/$125 – includes Home Tour + Cocktail Event)
Get a glimpse into the Barry Berkus-designed Park South, the first luxury resort community living concept in Palm Springs. Located in the majestic Araby Cove, nine exquisite homes will open their doors to showcase the original charm and historic importance of the architect’s signature midcentury design. Each stop on the tour will celebrate modernist living and the home’s unique features by infusing the homeowner’s personal style with local tastemakers making waves in the design, culinary and entertaining world. The tour includes an optional intimate poolside evening cocktail event with a special surprise performance. 

Seven Lakes Golf and Country Club Home Tour (2/21/22, $80)
Christened “The Gem of the Desert,” Seven Lakes Golf and Country Club is revered for its distinctive midcentury-designed homes, iconic Clubhouse, and 18-hole executive golf course. It is an expansive 1960s community of 341 homes designed by architect Richard Harrison of Wexler/Harrison. Guests will visit a specially curated group of homes that epitomize midcentury style but decorated with the personal stamp of each owner.  

Sunmor Neighborhood Home Tour (2/21/22, $70)
Sunmor Estates is a post-war American dream built on the site of the former Palm Springs Airfield. From this utilitarian beginning, Sunmor grew into a development of smart, stylish vacation homes designed by legendary architects like William Krisel, Donald Wexler, and Jack Meiselman. Tour guests will experience the carefree desert lifestyle of homes that have been restored to the original designers’ intent with open floor plans, pitched ceilings, and cinder block fireplaces. Exterior stone accent walls, open carports, and breezeblock courtyards are surrounded by desert landscaping. 

Other neighborhood tours include:

Historical Society Walking Tours

The walking tours of the historic Palm Springs neighborhoods, organized by the Palm Springs Historical Society, include: Boomtown – Revel in the Revivals, Heart of the City – Pioneers to Playground of the Stars, Marvels of Modernism Masters, Modernist Treasures – Lush Living on the Links, Twin Palms Estates – Walking Tour Exterior, and much more.

Also, for the first time, the Historical Society of Palm Desert is hosting The Mystique of Shadow Mountain: A Palm Desert Walking Tour featuring homes by Frey, Krisel, and White and ending with refreshments at historic Shadow Mountain Resort (2/24-25, $55).

Visit modernismweek.com to view the full Modernism Week 2022 program.