Special to the Palm Springs Sun
Palm Springs is home to 25 unique neighborhoods organized through the city’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement — and the Racquet Club Estates neighborhood is an example of one area particularly known for its array of stunning mid-century modern homes.
Indeed, the neighborhood is home to a host of modern jewels designed by the well-known development companies Alexander and Meiselman — as well as to seven spectacular steel homes designed by famed local architect Donald Wexler, and the Albert Frey-designed Vista Del Monte Elementary School.
In fact, if one were to take a walking tour of the area, the first thing that would likely grab your attention is the distinct architecture. Our mid-century modern homes feature low-slung sweeping roof lines, clerestory windows, decorative block applications and stored stucco treatments that are indicative of the desert modern era.
The architecture is complemented and enhanced by our proximity to Mt. San Jacinto and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The largest number of homes is in the Alexander development called Racquet Club Estates. Over time, residents as well as the real estate community began referring to all the homes in the area as Racquet Club Estates — which it was officially named once the neighborhood was formed in April 2008.
With nearly 550 single-family residences, the Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization is one of the largest of Palm Springs’ neighborhood organizations. Our organization area is roughly contained within the streets of San Rafael, Avenida Caballeros, Vista Chino and Indian Canyon Drive.
Early celebrity residents of Racquet Club Estates included Debbie Reynolds, Ruta Lee, Jackie Coogan and Victor Mature. Today’s celebrity residents include actor Udo Kier, who maintains an Alexander home as well as the John Porter Clark-designed former Francis Crocker Library, which Kier has converted into a private residence. Another long-term resident is the most famous Cheetah of ‘Tarzan’ movie fame — who resides in an Alexander home on Francis Drive aptly named Casa de Cheetah.
Since our formation as a neighborhood organization, Racquet Club Estates has hosted two annual picnics at Victoria Park, and we held our first home tour during Modernism Week in February 2009. We’re gearing up for our next tour, slated for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 14. Tickets are $45. A reception will follow at M Modern Gallery.
Interested or buying or selling property in Palm Springs or the Coachella Valley area? Contact Patrick Stewart Properties today.
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