Midcentury Mates: Palm Springs Architecture and Goldie, My Oldsmobile

Goldie and the Distinctive Block Pattern at Robinon's

I've been driving Goldie, my 1962 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight six-window hardtop sedan (that's a mouthful!) this week.  I so enjoy just looking at this car parked in different places, and swung by the former Robinson's department store on Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs for a quick snapshot.  The Robinson's store (now The Alley) was designed by architects Pereira & Luckman (Pereira also designed the Transamerica Tower in San Francisco).  



A little bit about the building from Palm Springs Preservation Foundation:
Constructed from 1957-1958 at a cost of $280,000 on land purchased from Palm Springs pioneer Pearl McManus, the J.W. Robinson Department Store Building was designed by the Los Angeles-based architectural firm of Charles Luckman Associates and William L. Pereira. Located on the southwest corner of South Palm Canyon Drive and West Baristo Avenue, the pavilion-style modernist building is dramatically elevated from the street level by four long horizontal concrete steps that create both a sense of arrival and impart a sense importance to the building. The building  won the AIA’s “First Honor Award” for 1958.

This structure was declared a Class One historic site in November of 2012.

Photo of Robinsons from approx 1966

New Listing, Indian Wells Country Club $749,000

Loving my new listing in posh Indian Wells- Bright Fun Resort-style midcentury home in prestigious Indian Wells Country Club. This house has many special features, among them being a view of four fairways and a second kitchen for party preparations or caterers. This 3 bedroom, 3 bath home features designer wall coverings and mirrors throughout maximize lighting. High clerestory windows in the entry hall lead to a living room (with fireplace!) that overlooks the Regency pool and golf course and mountain views. You'll enjoy waking up in the master bedroom with the same fantastic views. To see the full album on my facebook page, click HERE.

Palm Springs Modern Committee Fall Home Tour 2013

I spent part of Saturday touring homes for PSmodcom's Fall tour, with such homes as 1961 by Home Lab, the new Dee Residence in Rancho Mirage by architect Lance O'Donnell of o2 Architecture, and a recent renovation of a rear patio unit at The Ocotillo Lodge, which was designed by Palmer and Krisel and built by the Alexanders (one of my favorite condo complexes, there are plaques with celebrity names on the doors, harking back to when it was a favorite weekend haunt of celebrities).  This one had a "Dinah Shore" in gold on the door.  The Estrella Swim club house in Indian Canyons was a crowd-pleaser.