Between 1955 and 1965, Palm Springs developer the Alexander Construction Company built over 2,200 houses in the Coachella Valley, effectively doubling the size of Palm Springs and helping to establish the city as a center for midcentury modern design. Now known as “Alexanders,” these original houses are sought after, at premium prices, because of their style and innovative constructions.
The company originally started with smaller homes like this one, which totals about 1,200 square feet in the then-less fashionable southern part of Palm Springs. Those homes would cost about $19,500. Eventually, the company began building larger, more expensive houses, sized from 2,000 to about 2,500 square feet and asking around $50,000. The area became known for Hollywood stars looking for a weekend escape. Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, Joan Collins, Marilyn Monroe, and Harold Robbins each owned an Alexander.
This earlier Alexander is a petite 1,278 square feet, set on 0.23 of an acre. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a backyard with pool and spa just aching for an epic party. The property is asking $1.15 million and is listed by Paul Linger at Compass.
Interiors of the house are bright, with a Mad-Men era swankiness. And, just to make things even easier for the purchaser, all the furniture is included. The great room is delightful, filled with 60s style sofas and a fab old fireplace. On another wall is the TV, and the third wall is full of shelves to show off one’s 50s bric-a-brac. Outside is a large covered overhang for outdoor dining. The kitchen is entirely modern; appliances include a coffee station and a stacked washer and dryer in a former closet. None of the bedrooms or bathrooms are huge, but they all include natural wood beamed ceilings.
Outside, the pool faces west, which permits full sun throughout the year. The yard, with fantastic mountain views, also includes a spa, firepit and bar, and the current owners have a pingpong table set up for extra fun.
Need your getaway to work as hard as you do? As a matter of fact, this neighborhood is well under the city’s short term vacation rental cap, making it a great investment opportunity. Don’t wait — start enjoying your weekends à la Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe.
