Meticulously Restored Palm Springs Bungalow Is on the National Historic Register

Sift through enough Palm Springs real estate listings and you’ll start to wonder if there’s a single property left in the whole town that hasn’t been painted turquoise and orange, subjected to a hard-edged Hollywood Regency makeover, or turned into an homage to Rat Pack ring-a-ding-dingery. For a refreshing change of pace, here’s a straightforward little residence that’s stayed true to its unglitzy roots, and rewarded for doing so with a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

Designed by Swiss-born architect Albert Frey and constructed in 1946, the 1,100-square-foot bungalow was one of 15 homes in the Bel Vista housing tract, a subdivision created to provide affordable housing for World War II workers, and the city’s only early-modern subdivision. Known as Bel Vista #2, it’s the most intact example remaining of the original 15 homes.

Located on a corner lot at the subdivision’s entry point, the three-bedroom, one-bath abode has undergone a painstaking restoration/renovation that adhered closely to its architect’s original vision, down to the original minty-green color palette. (Evidently, the architect’s vision did not encompass the actual reality of doing the dishes, given the puny size of the kitchen sink, but we’ll let that slide.)

Along with restored original cabinetry and custom tile work, the bungalow’s interior attributes include cork and polished concrete floors, wood-paneled walls, two-light glass doors throughout, a free-standing fireplace, and built-in bookshelves. Updates include copper plumbing, a new electrical panel, new HVAC, and a new roof.

As for exterior amenities, the 9,148-square-foot grounds contain a newly built pool and spa, a covered patio, a fire pit, a decent-sized patch of lawn, and mature citrus, pine, and palm trees. Sweetening the deal considerably is the historic home’s Mills Act contract, providing substantial property tax benefits.

Listed with Todd Hays of Coldwell Banker Realty, the desert dwelling is on the market with an asking price of $1.05 million.