Modernism Week Features 35 Neighborhood Tours in February 2024

Tours Enable Participants to Discover Scenic Neighborhoods

Modernism Week’s signature February festival will take place February 15 – 25, 2024, 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 35 tours in these neighborhoods, including Indian Canyons, Old Las Palmas, Vista Las Palmas, Twin Palms, and many more. New Modernism Week tours this year include The Four Hundred (a complex located in the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood, designed by Herbert Burns), and Villa de Las Palmas (a stunning condo complex designed by the renowned architect Jo Paul Rognstad). While many tours are in Palm Springs, there are five tours that take place in Rancho Mirage and a tour that takes place in nearby Joshua Tree. Tickets for these tours and all other Modernism Week events are on sale now at modernismweek.com.  

“Our popular neighborhood tours remain one of the hallmarks of Modernism Week, 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 CEO

New Modernism Week Tours this year include:

The Four Hundred, The Complete Tour! (2/18, $65)

This property was designed and developed by Herbert Burns as a furnished 8-unit luxury apartment complex in 1954. The unique pool, the resort-like landscape, the iconic midcentury modern architecture, and the stunning view of the mountains blend harmoniously even to this day. Burns owned and lived in unit 5, which includes many forward-thinking features. Steven Keylon will be present to sign his book “The Design of Herbert W. Burns.”

Villa de Las Palmas, “A Serene Oasis of Form, Function & Elegant Living” (2/23, $65)

This little-known midcentury architectural gem between the Palm Springs Uptown Design District and the coveted neighborhood of Old Las Palmas was designed by the renowned architect Jo Paul Rognstad, who is celebrated for his innovative and modern designs. Completed in 1962, Villa de Las Palmas quickly became an icon of midcentury modern architecture, showcasing Rognstad’s distinctive style and attention to detail.

Rancho Mirage will showcase five tours this year:

Highlighted neighborhood tours available during Modernism Week 2024 include: 

  • Canyon View Estates Home Tour: “Cinematic Modernism” (2/18, $95) Designed by William Krisel and built by Roy Fey from 1961-1966, this community has been featured in numerous films, photo shoots, books, and design publications worldwide. The architectural details of the seven homes on tour include double-gable roofs, clerestory windows, shadow block, open carports, cul-de-sacs, and spectacular wire-free panoramic views of the mountains.
  • The Ocotillo Lodge: Palmer & Krisel’s Vision of the Midcentury Vacation (2/17, $95) The iconic Ocotillo Lodge is Alexander Company and Palmer & Krisel’s magnificent hotel turned private community. This exclusive community tour showcases eight interior units, and each unit features a kitchenette and originally featured thoughtful design touches such as skylights in the bathrooms, jalousie windows to provide venting in kitchens, and clerestory windows with palm tree and mountain views.
  • El Rancho Vista Estates Modernism Home Tour (2/24, $85) This Wexler and Harrison designed community with bright colors, modernist roof lines and decorative concrete block walls will transport participants to the sunny California of yesteryear.
  • Historic Tennis Club Modernism Week Tour (2/24, $110) Explore one of the oldest neighborhoods in Palm Springs founded in 1937 by pioneer Pearl McCallum McManus. The neighborhood’s charm is its eclectic mixture of 400 homes, condos, apartments, inns and restaurants–many surrounded by historic stone walls. This tour showcases seven historic homes featuring clean lines with minimalist exteriors.
  • Park Imperial North (2/16, $60) This community of 51 modernist condominiums was designed by celebrated architect Barry Berkus and developed by noted Palm Springs developer Jack Meiselman.

Other neighborhood tours include: 

These tours and much more are available at modernismweek.com.

Modernism Week top sponsors include Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, JennAir, Flor, Natural Retreats, and Willis. The City of Palm Springs is the Civic Presenting Sponsor. To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Threads.