There are over 40 organized neighborhoods in Palm Springs and each has its own vibe. Mid-century modernist homes can be found in many of these neighborhoods, but because of how and when these areas were developed, there are larger concentrations of modernist homes in some neighborhoods rather than others.
Neighborhoods that are closest to Palm Canyon Drive and close to the San Jacinto mountains were built before some areas that are further out from the main shopping district. Some of these close-in areas have high concentrations of mid-century homes built in the 1950s and 1960s, while others have more Spanish colonial style homes from the 1930s and 1940s. Neighborhoods that are further out may have only a handful of modernist homes because vast tracts may have been undeveloped until the 1970s or later, by which time the original trend for modernist architecture was eclipsed by the desire for southwestern-style homes and by more contemporary designs.
But by the 1990s, there was a resurgence of interest in the older modernist homes and many have been lovingly restored in recent years. The versatility of the modernist designs also led them to be modified, enlarged and otherwise upgraded.
Today, many new homes have been or are being built with rooflines and other features reminiscent of the classic mid-century homes, but with much-improved mechanicals, insulation, and room sizes more in-line with contemporary tastes.
This table describes the general location and architectural nature of each neighborhood.
|
Neighborhood |
Predominant Architectural Style |
Price Range |
Comments |
|
Eclectic. Some mid-century. Many 80’s |
$120,000 – $350,000 |
4 miles north of Tramway. Mix of residents – some affluent, some not |
|
|
Contemporary |
$350,000 – $500,000 |
North of San Rafael, gated community |
|
|
Desert Highland/ Gateway |
Eclectic. Houses in various conditions |
$200,000 – $350,000 |
Economically depressed area |
|
Contemporary |
$350,000 – $450,000 |
55+ gated community |
|
|
Eclectic. Some mid-century. Some contemporary |
$350,000 – $650,000 |
||
|
Eclectic. Some mid-century. Some contemporary |
$250,000 – $740,000 |
||
|
Racquet Club Estates |
Mid-Century |
$590,000 – $850,000 |
Most homes have been restored or renovated. |
|
Eclectic. Spanish Style, Mid-Century, Contemporary |
$500,000 – $3,600,000 |
Tuscany heights has commanding views of the city |
|
|
El Rancho Vista Estates |
Mid-Century |
$600,000 – $800,000 |
Many restored and renovated homes |
|
Mid-Century |
$1,000,000 – $2,000,000 |
Walking distance to uptown design district, meticulously restored homes |
|
|
Eclectic. Many large gated estates. Spanish Style. Modernist |
$1,400,000 – $3,000,000 |
Walking distance to uptown design district, meticulously restored homes |
|
|
Spanish style, Modernist. Many large estates. |
$700,000 – $1,800,000 |
Walking distance to uptown design district |
|
|
Many small inns, some modernist homes |
$1,500,000 – $2,500,000 |
Walking distance to downtown Palm Springs |
|
|
Mid-Century |
$525,000 – $800,000 |
Centrally located |
|
|
Mid-Century |
$550,000 – $900,000 |
Near airport |
|
|
Little Beverly Hills |
Mid-Century |
$500,000 – $750,000 |
South and east of town, this area is a bit of an island |
|
Many small clothing-optional inns, Spanish style homes |
$450,000 – $900,000 |
Close to downtown Palm Springs |
|
|
Eclectic. In various conditions. |
$350,00 – $600,000 |
Economically depressed area, but many people have been investing in this area recently |
|
|
Many Spanish Style homes. Some Mid-century homes |
$560,000 – $1,100,000 |
Western side of area is walking distance to shops on south side of town |
|
|
Mid-Century |
$670,000 – $1,400,000 |
Central / south location. Close to Elmers |
|
|
Mid-Century |
$800,000 – $1,800,000 |
South Palm Springs. Close to Ace Hotel, Elmers, Evzin |
|
|
Mid-Century |
$650,000 – $1,100,000 |
South Palm Springs. Close to Ace Hotel, Elmers, Evzin |
|
|
Araby Commons/ Araby Cove |
Eclectic, Spanish, Mid-century, and contemporary |
$700,000 – $1,000,000 |
South and east, closer to Cathedral City shops than downtown Palm Springs |