El Rancho Vista Estates
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
When I first visited El Rancho Vista Estates in 1999, it was a sad experience, and more than a bit frightening. I was even concerned about getting out of my car. Its turnaround today, to one of the most beautiful and intact modernist neighborhoods in the Coachella Valley, is a shining example of how preservation can work for a community.
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
The neighborhood was originally designed by two of my favorite Palm Springs architects, Don Wexler and Richard Harrison, for the developer Roy Fey in 1960.
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
Like many of the Alexander tracts designed by William Krisel, El Rancho Vista Estates was intended as a way to bring innovative modernist design to the working classes.
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
Wexler even lived in one of the homes, himself, for a time, and still owns it.
The homes are classic examples of desert modernism. Low-slung, with open floor plans, walls of glass to the backyards to blur indoors and outdoors, clerestory windows, butterfly, flat, and low-gabled rooflines...
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
The developer built about 75 homes on a lot just north east of the airport. But the area is a bit separated from the trendy shops and neighborhoods along Palm Canyon Drive, and fell on hard times. By the time I saw it in 1999, it was full of low-end rentals, drug houses, and worse.
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
Today, thanks to the efforts of a lot of dedicated homeowners, the neighborhood has been resurrected. For example, John Lewis and Jane Steichen-Lewis bought, lived in, renovated and resold more than twenty of these homes. And my friends Ashley and Erik Rosenow, who also live in the neighborhood and who are active on the board of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (Erik is the president), have helped with home tours and awareness.
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
There is a true community spirit in the neighborhood - perhaps the strongest of any I've ever experienced in Palm Springs. I think there are probably more intact and restored modernist homes in El Rancho Vista Estates than anywhere else.
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
The photos above are just the result of a very quick drive around the neighborhood. There are many, many other examples worthy of photographing, and in much greater detail than I have shown here. I hope to get back there soon to document more - and to get a few interiors!
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| Photo ©Darren Bradley |
I could so easily live in any of them. What beauties!!!
ReplyDeleteNice picture brother, keep bloging and i like this ...
ReplyDeleteRumah
These homes look very futuristic. I really like the landscape of these places. I agree with Donald, I could very easily live in one of these places. Thanks for the blog. http://www.heritageblds.com
ReplyDeleteLove it! Also great saturation of the photos, truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat information.
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El Rancho Vista Estates’ metamorphosis is truly spectacular! It is unbelievable how the commitment of homeowners and conservation efforts have rejuvenated the district. Wexler and Harrison’s modernist designs are amazing, representing desert-based modernism. The initiative demonstrated by the residents is quite commendable as well. I remember my first visit and it is mind-boggling that this place has changed so much since then. For those who want to go around, it is important to make sure their cars are in good shape. Having a reliable roadside jump start service on call in cases of any car break down can be helpful if you don’t want your trip to be ruined by such inconveniences.
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