In 1961, architect Donald Wexler and his then partner, Richard Harrison, teamed with the Alexander Construction Company to build a 35-home subdivision of steel and glass houses in the Racquet Club neighborhood of North Palm Springs. The idea was to create low-cost homes that were suited to the extreme desert climate. Unfortunately, the price of steel skyrocketed, and construction stopped after only seven of the homes were built.
But the dream lived on. The Movie Colony East residence shown here, known as the Steel & Glass House, is the last home Wexler had a hand in designing; the plans were finalized not even two months before he died in 2015.
A colonnade and wall, both made of steel, lead to the front entrance.
The house is sited on a 45-degree angle to optimize energy efficiency and views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Rich Nolan of The Agency, is the listing agent for the $2,435,000 property and notes that, "From the exposed steel columns, symmetrical design, recessed showers, and attention to detail as it relates to being environmentally friendly and energy efficient, every aspect of this house says, 'Wexler.'"
The layout of the three-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,550-square-foot house is open and bright. Its clean, minimalist interior design — pop-up raised ceiling, walls of windows, galley kitchen, and reflecting pool in the center of the home — perfectly match the architecture.
Terrazzo floors flow throughout the residence and the living and dining areas are separated by a two-sided gas fireplace.
The home, built in 2015 on a parcel of land that was formerly a part of the Frank Sinatra Estate, was rotated to a 45-degree angle to optimize views of the San Jacinto Mountains and contribute to its energy efficiency. "The 45-degree angled placement was a technique that Wexler used on the Dinah Shore home as well," Nolan says. "Hot Purple Energy wired the home for solar, tying in Wexler's use and preference for sustainable materials."
Other features include terrazzo floors; a two-sided gas fireplace between the living and dining areas, along with another fireplace in the master bedroom; Thermador appliances and Poggenpohl cabinets in the kitchen; and Hansgrohe fixtures throughout.
In lockstep with the architecture and interior design, the landscape has a minimalist aesthetic. Quartz crystal runs through the entryway and into the first third of the house, and the linear lines extend to the exterior space.
The master bedroom placement frames the majectic mountain views.
"The spa floats in the middle of the pool creating a seamless transition," Nolan says. "The orientation of the home ties in views and shade as you can see within the lines of the steel entryway colonnade. This detail is something that Wexler was known for incorporating into his architecture."
He adds, "Steel and glass architecture is something you don't typically find today, especially in a relatively new home. It will stand the test of time and forever pay homage to the legacy of Donald Wexler."
1155 East Granvia Valmonte, Palm Springs
For more information, contact Rich Nolan, The Agency, 760-219-1357, [email protected].