How to Buy Real Estate In Palm Springs: 

By Melissa Feldman on October 11, 2017

A burgeoning cultural scene, new hotels, and a fresh crowd are signaling a revival. Here’s how to secure your own sun-drenched, modernist retreat.

No longer considered a resting place for retirees, Palm Springs is undergoing a desert revival distinctly its own. Established in the 1930s as a Hollywood getaway, the area now spans nine distinct cities, including Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage, which encompasses the exclusive Thunderbird Heights community, where the Obamas recently vacationed. Today, more and more Angelenos are flocking to the area, much like New Yorkers to the Hamptons.

This year’s events calendar featured the inaugural DesertX, an art biennial emphasizing site-specific installations by 16 internationally known artists like Doug Aitken and Lita Albuquerque. Modernism Week (February 15–25), a citywide design celebration with lectures, tours, films, and a modernism show and sale, is heading into its 13th year. Music festivals in nearby Indio and Coachella bring in a star-studded crowd. (Look out for the remake of A Star Is Born, with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, shot this spring at Coachella.) Add to that the annual BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in close-by Indian Wells and the ongoing Palm Springs International Film Festival, and it’s no wonder the valley is fast evolving into a western cultural hub.

L’Horizon, an oil tycoon’s 1952 compound by architect William F. Cody, was refurbished and is now the only hotel in the Coachella valley to join the Leading Hotels of the World collection. New hotel projects under development include those for Virgin, Andaz, and Kimpton brands, and the Parker was recently renovated by Jonathan Adler.

According to local Realtor Patrick Jordan, the region is brimming with available “grande dame estates,” like actor Cary Grant’s former home, which sold for $3.4 million in 2016. Jordan’s firm, Patrick Stewart Properties, which specializes in luxury homes, sold the John Lautner–designed, 23,366-square-foot Bob and Dolores Hope estate to investor Ron Burkle for $13 million last November. Another Lautner gem, featured in Diamonds Are Forever, was sold to Los Angeles fashion designer Jeremy Scott for $7.7 million.

If midcentury modern architecture or a golf resort is what you’re after, specialized Realtors include John Nelson and Cat Moe of Coldwell Banker Residential or Keith Markowitz. According to Nelson, “We’re getting a much younger crowd. It’s no longer a place where your grandparents have a condo.” Nelson recommends homes built in the ’50s in the Vista Las Palmas district by architecture firm Palmer & Krisel, which is known for modular post-and-beam construction with a butterfly roof. The neighborhood, he says, is overflowing with midcentury three-bedrooms with mountain views and proximity to downtown that run $900,000 for a fixer-upper and $2.9 million for a renovated 2,400-square-foot open plan with a pool. Nelson adds, “We’re seeing more people from the East Coast because of direct flights from New York. Our midcentury modern houses and affordability are a big draw.”

When one thinks of Palm Springs, they generally don't think of Japanese made home goods and other products.  Having written that, Palm Springs does have its share of good sushi restaurants.  A new downtown Palm Springs retail store, one that specializes in Japanese and Asian home goods, is having its grand opening/open house Sunday, December 10 from 3 - 6 pm.


The name of the store is "Wabi Sabi Japan Living".  Located at 258 N. Palm Canyon Drive, the store will offer shoppers dinnerware, flatware, kitchen knives, chopsticks (over 100 styles), books on travel, culture and design and pottery.  You will not find Ginsu knives at Wabi Sabi (They weren't even Japanese knives, just a marketing gimmick).  Top-quality, not for the price sensitive, knives will be found there. 

In addition, Japanese Beer, coffee and tea accessories and even Sake tastings will be available.  Japanese art, jewely, decorative hand fans clothing and Bonsais round out the selection of products and services.  I plan on checking it out on Sunday.  Maybe I'll see you there.  Click here to learn more about Wabi Sabi Japan Living: https://www.wabisabijapanliving.com/

4 Saints Restaurant, Rooftop Upscale Dining, Bar & Lounge Now Open

The brand new Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel in downtown Palm Springs features a rooftop pool with expansive views, cabanas and a selection of top-notch dining and drinking options.  The dining and drinking options have been specially curated to create a delightful and upscale, yet laid-back, experience.

I recently had dinner at 4 Saints, the rooftop restaurant, bar and lounge.  First let me say that the ambience of this place is chic, modern, warm, rich and elegant all rolled into one beautiful indoor/outdoor space.  Tables feature soft supple brown leather chairs, a cluster of modern light fixtures dangle overhead, and even the bottles of alcohol at the bar have their own mood lighting.  This coupled with futuristic sounding lounge music creates a stunning social setting. 

The menu is made up of sharable small plates, amped up with international flavors,  inspired by the fresh, clean spirit of Mediterranean cooking.  I was there with a friend so we decided to start the evening off with the "Slim Jim Eggplant" appetizer.  While waiting for this first course to arrive, we enjoyed some cocktails.  I started with a Jack and Coke and thought it was the best Jack and Coke I had had.  My second drink was one of their signature drinks.  Unfortunately, I don't remember the name but do remember really enjoying the libation.  So far so good.  The Eggplant appetizer sure looked pretty, but both me and my friend thought it was kind of bland.  Mental note, don't order the Slim Jim Eggplant.  This was the only let down of the evening.  My friend ordered the Dry Aged Duck entree and was very happy with his choice.  That dish came with Foie Gras sausage, dates, sweet and sour beets and caramelized fennel. I ordered the Baja Kampachi, a smoky fish dish that came with the most amazing sauce I've ever had.  If you like fish, you are going to love the Baja Kampachi.

On top of the unique amazing food and perfectly crafted cocktails, the service was exemplary.

In my opinion, 4 Saints at the Rowan Palm Springs offers a five star dining and drinking experience.    Click here to learn more: http://www.rowanpalmsprings.com/palm-springs-restaurants/rooftop-bar-restaurant/

Palm Spring Chosen One of 20 Best Places For Snowbirds

Expedia recently came out with their list of the 20 best places snowbirds Winter in the U.S..  Palm Springs was on the list, and with an average January high of 71 degrees, the city had the highest average January temperature with the exception of the two Hawaii destinations.  Following is what the article had to say about Palm Springs:

Sunshine and palm trees await in this desert haven. No matter the season, it’s always the right time to order a cocktail and lounge on a chaise poolside in Palm Springs. However, the winter months are arguably the best time to visit as the desert heat eases up, leaving ideal temperatures perfect for all the best things to do in Palm Springs, like a stroll through the Palm Springs VillageFest and a hike on Andreas Canyon Trail.

Snowbirds love to: Stake a spot at the trendy Ace Hotel & Swim Club when a DJ’s on deck, and venture to nearby Desert Hot Springs for a pampering spa day—relaxation just hit new levels.

To read the entire article, please click on the following link:  https://viewfinder.expedia.com/features/20-best-places-snowbirds-winter/

New Modern Luxury Palm Springs Hotel Opens Today

Palm Springs is excited to welcome the opening of The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel in downtown Palm Springs on November 17,  serving as the anchor to the City’s downtown revitalization project.  This seven story trend-setting property with 153 rooms is set to offer visitors a unique experience in this exciting location.  The light-drenched guestrooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the magnificent views of the San Jacinto Mountains and glimmering desert.  The Rowan includes two restaurants, three bars, and over 16,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.

Greeting you in the lobby is the Window Bar surrounded by bookshelves with a relaxed vibe.  On the first floor you will also find Juniper Table, a casual all-day Mediterranean café featuring seasonal and organic ingredients.  For those looking for grab-and-go, a barista provides coffee, fresh juices and light takeaway items as well as a concise menu of made-to-order cold and hot items. By mid-day the menu moves to sharable snacks, salads, sandwiches, cheeses and select entrees.

Head to the seventh floor rooftop and you’ll experience 4 Saints’ Restaurant, a mix of sophistication and convivial spirit. Perched on the tallest rooftop in Palm Springs and adjacent to the pool, the restaurant will boast stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains and Coachella Valley.  The restaurant incorporates global cuisine with a strong French influence, presided over by executive Chef Stephen Wambach, formerly of the Four Seasons in Chicago.

Guests and locals can visit High Bar, a bungalow-filled retreat and chic poolside lounge.  The rooftop pool, the only one of its kind in the Palm Springs area, is surrounded by daybeds with canopied misters, and cabanas, all boasting a 360 degree view of Palm Springs. 

New Film Festival Comes to Palm Springs November 9 - 11

A new film festival that showcases animated movies is coming to Palm Springs this month.  The above picture is actually taken from the animated short, "Rocket Man", featuring Elton John’s iconic song of the same title.  The film festival is called the Palm Springs International Animation Festival (PSIAF), and will feature 273 animated shorts and six full-length animated films. 

The festival is the brainchild of Brian Neil Hoff who started the event in his own backyard:  

In 2008, Hoff (a Palm Springs resident), held the first Backyard Film Festival behind his house complete with pop-up screen and projector. “When I launched [the Backyard Film Festival] in November 2008, I initially received 10 submissions, most of which were from animation directors I had kept in contact with over the years,” says Hoff. “They had additional shorts they wanted to submit, and after some intense work gaining Hollywood’s trust, we started to see the entries pour in.”

Hoff began to organize his thoughts over the next nine years. He created a method of logging entries and established communication with filmmakers. He developed relationships with animation magazines and blogs. Finally, he pitched the idea to Dimitri Halkidis, Boo2Bullying’s president and founder who was a recent recipient of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission Community Service Award.  To learn more click on this link: https://www.palmspringslife.com/animated-expression/

Like many of you, I was disappointed when in 2014/2015, the Agua Caliente Indian Tribe demolished the historical Spa Hotel in downtown Palm Springs.  The Hotel, which opened in 1963 and had 229 rooms, was a classic mid-century modern building.  Its hot mineral spas tapped into the hot springs that Palm Springs got its name from.  I really considered this a huge loss to the area.  I'm now reconsidering...

On October 7, Agua Caliente Chairman, Jeff Grubbe, announced a new cultural center, spa and bathhouse will be built on the former Spa Hotel site at the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Indian Canyon Drive.  After the demolition of the venerable old hotel, I remember thinking that I hope they include access to the hot mineral springs with whatever they build there.  I'm very interested in what they mean by bathhouse.  Could they possibly have a public bathhouse right in the middle of downtown Palm Springs?  I'm afraid the article I read didn't go into much detail about it.  Here is what it did detail:

The cultural center will include outdoor activity spaces for people to learn about the tribe and the role the hot springs played in shaping Palm Springs. A path called the Oasis Trail will offer a taste of "the distinctive character, geography, flora and beauty of the nearby Indian Canyons. 

The new museum building will hold approximately 48,000 square feet of gallery space, including areas for art and cultural artifacts, changing exhibits, an education center and garden.

The new spa and bathhouse will include about 40,000 square feet of spa treatment rooms, men's and women's bathhouses, a salon, fitness center, outdoor mineral pools and tranquility garden.  To read the full article, please click here.