“Back in their heyday, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra cavorted about the pool at Peter Lawford’s open-beamed home in Palm Springs’ Vista Las Palmas. Marilyn Monroe stopped by—and so, people say, did an on-the-make Jack Kennedy. Jackie Cooper and Cyd Charisse lived in the neighborhood, as did George Hamilton and world-class hoofer Donald O’Connor.” (Eichler Network)
With its trendy rooflines, avant-garde design, and famous neighbors, it’s no wonder that the trendy midcentury tract development of Vista Las Palmas was also known as the “Beverly Hills of Palm Springs.”
The firm of Palmer & Krisel, as well as architect Charles Dubois, designed approximately 330 homes. William Krisel contributed his iconic “butterfly” roof houses, a folded plate roof design, and several others. Charles Dubois created the distinctive “Swiss Miss” A-frame, among others. The mix of designs creates one of the most varied, yet cohesive neighborhoods in Palm Springs, and is always a highlight on our annual Modernism Week tours.
The Hollywood elite truly embraced the Modernism of these tract homes when this architectural style was regarded as experimental and avant-garde. Some of the desert’s most famous Modernist architectural treasures are also located in this neighborhood including the Kaufmann House, an architectural masterpiece designed by Richard Neutra.
Don’t miss a chance to explore Vista Las Palmas during any of these Fall Preview events:
Click through the gallery to check out some of our favorite sights in this historic neighborhood!
