This $12.9 million Palm Springs estate is a mid-century modern masterpiece

With the largest concentration of preserved mid-century modern structures in the world, Palm Springs is synonymous with mid-century modern architecture. The resort town, about 100 miles east of LA, is also the birthplace of Desert Modernism, an offshoot of mid-century architecture that features innovative elements especially suited to the arid desert lifestyle, such as expansive glass walls. Protected by deep overhangs that block as much natural light as possible. The harsh, direct rays of the sun.

Pioneers who shaped the legacy of Palm Springs architecture as well as mid-century modern design include Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, Frank Lloyd Wright, and William F. Cody. Cody was one of the most influential architects of the genre during its heyday, and his work is often celebrated through design shows and tours.

Recently, one of their most famous homes Abernathy residenceIt hit the market for $12.9 million and is listed for the first time since it became a Class 1 Historic Landmark by the City of Palm Springs in 2012, the most prestigious designation of original architectural integrity. protects Not only that, it is one of the most visited Abernathy residences during Palm Springs Modernism Week and has also been the setting for advertising campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Herman Miller, Disney and Mercedes-Benz. Is.

Smack dab in the middle of the sought-after Movie Colony neighborhood, the Abernathy Residence was completed in 1962 and started by James L. Abernathy, a wealthy La Jolla businessman whose family made a fortune in the furniture business in the Midwest. It was earned. Abernathy’s Desert Avenue, considered one of the city’s finest examples of mid-century modern architecture in Palm Springs, has a geometric floor plan with five pyramid-roofed pavilions arranged in a pinwheel. which create L-shaped wings. It has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms in its 4,680 square feet.

Seller Eric Allen Bogan has painstakingly researched Cody’s work to restore the home to its former glory with modern updates. The effort was fruitful. Many of the original rooms were remodeled. For example, the current home office was once a formal dining room, while the guest suite was once an art studio. The imposing living room is housed within a 26-foot-tall pavilion that connects to the backyard pool area through half a dozen floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. The home’s walls and ceilings are clad in sandblasted Douglas fir, giving it an earthy, neutral feel, while light shines through the terrazzo floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate every room in the home with natural light throughout the day.

One of Cody’s signature design features are the clerestory windows that sit beneath a thin roof, and they are also a key element of this home. Antique property also effectively marries old and new. There is a brand new kitchen with Poggenpohl system cabinetry and Gaggenau appliances. The sleek space faces a mature cactus garden. Another charming feature of the home is the primary suite, which includes sliding glass doors, a sunken indoor terrazzo tub, and a private patio.

The resort-style backyard is ideal for relaxing entertaining, with a pool and spa, pool deck, manicured lawns, and pristine landscaping. In total, there are over 10,000 square feet of living space, if you include the many outdoor pergola spaces. An outdoor living space in particular is located under a vaulted pavilion with a fireplace backed by a rich, green wall of American ceramicist Steinbitters.

“Those who appreciate the style and look of mid-century modern architecture will likely recognize Cody’s signature design elements,” says Stewart Smith of the PS Properties team at Benindale Homes/Luxury Portfolio International. , which create an unparalleled environment for easy living and entertainment.” “This incredibly beautiful home contains the best calling cards of the era, and all done with perfect intention.”

The home is located within The Movie Colony, a neighborhood named after former Hollywood stars who once called Palm Springs or frequented the area’s glamorous, vintage hotels thanks to the two-hour rule. This meant that Hollywood’s biggest stars were contractually obligated to stay within a two-hour radius of the set during production. Naturally, Palm Springs became an intimate but glamorous getaway for Hollywood’s elite. And it still is today.