On the Rocks

Straight Up Desert Mod

A Hugh Kaptur original, this low-slung, angular hillside home is iconic Palm Springs. Set in the eclectic Mesa neighborhood south of town, the architectural outpost’s standout geometry occupies its own plane within the rocky landscape, accented by the city’s namesake palms and anchored by a generous saline swimming pool.

A stirring study of pure Palm Springs Desert Modernism designed by Hugh Kaptur, this sleek villa cuts sharply into its rocky hillside location. A neolithic entry opens impressively into the strikingly transparent living space pinned down by a massive stone hearth. The home’s sharp angles of glass, steel, and stucco seem to glide across the rugged, albeit landscaped, hillside, creating a layout that’s open concept and open to the elements via generous windows and wide sliding doors. 

Upscale interior design means rooms brim with period-inspired furnishings, contemporary takes on mid-century modern lines, and splashy works of art. The elegant pool dominates the sleek home’s heart, its cool infinity edges suspended above the rock-strewn desert valley.

AROUND

A residential enclave set at the base of the San Jacinto mountains, the Mesa neighborhood was created in the 1920s and 1930s by Los Angeles businessman Edmond Fulford as one of Palm Springs’ first gated communities. Homes in the Mesa range from Spanish Colonial to Craftsman to mid-century modern (Donald Wexler, Hugh Kaptur), and the neighborhood has been home to Clark Gable, Barry Manilow, Carole Lombard, Zane Grey and Suzanne Somers, among other stars. The Mesa is also home to Palm Springs’ Moorten Botanical Garden, a historic landmark that opened in the late 1930s and showcases hundreds of rare cacti and succulents. 

Set on the eastern slope of Tahquitz Canyon, the Mesa was once home to the indigenous Cahuilla people, the canyon’s namesake a legendary warrior who spoke through lightning and thunder and was believed to have devoured those who disappeared from the mountain. Numerous trailheads depart from the Mesa area and lead into the mountains’ hiking trails. 

The poster child of the Desert Modernism movement, Palm Springs iconic strip is dotted with vintage boutiques, hip concept stores, and many cafes and cocktail bars. A veritable oasis in the Sonoran Desert of southern California, Palm Springs draws visitors for its glam-era architecture, desert mod styling, golf and leisure resorts and hot springs. The rugged Coachella Valley is also home to abundant outdoor recreation activities, including horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and is the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, a favorite spot of desert combers, new age seekers, and expert rock climbers.

LOCATION

Palm Springs, California, United States. Nearest airport: Palm Springs.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year-round