The house which brought the “King of Rock 'n’ Roll” and his bride to Palm Springs will be open for public tours Aug. 24 as part of a celebration of Elvis Presley, whose passing marked its 36th anniversary last week.
Presley and his wife, Priscilla, made the desert their home from 1966-67 when they leased the Robert Alexander estate dubbed the "Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway" at 1350 Landera Circle.
Tours of Elvis’ house will be given at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. The day would not be complete without music, and Elvis impersonator Travis Powell will perform at the house from 4-6 p.m.
Here are some interesting factoids to know prior to taking the tour:
That’s Square, Man
Built by prominent developer Robert Alexander in 1960, the home is a shining example of iconic Palm Springs mid-century modern architecture. Its structure is built upon three levels with four circular rooms incorporating glass and stonework to achieve an early indoor/outdoor ambiance. There are no square rooms in the house. Look Magazine featured the home as the “House of Tomorrow” in 1962.
“Love Me Tender”
When Elvis leased the home, he and Priscilla were not married and planned to wed inside the home. However, gossip columnist Rona Barrett, who lived just around the corner, reported the wedding would take place in Palm Springs, so Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker, arranged the wedding to take place in Las Vegas instead.
“It’s Now or Never”
Unlike many museum or star tours, visitors are invited to make themselves at home for a personal experience. Guests can get feel for the “King of Rock-n-Roll’s” lifestyle immortalized at this retreat while seated on the original large sofa banquette, one of the most recognized pieces in the famed living room.
5 Things to See in Elvis’ House:
• Sunken living room (sit in the original large sofa banquette).
• Elevated dining room (will double as the stage for this event).
• Trademark closets boxed below the ceiling.
• Art deco design and furnishings throughout the house.
• Pool area with a stage, fruit orchard and tennis court.
Free shuttle services and parking is available at the Spa Resort and Casino for those with tickets. The casino is located on the corner of Calle Encilia and Andreas Road in Palm Springs. Receive a $10 cash/play voucher from the casino.
For information, call 760-322-1192 or visit www.elvishoneymoon.com