This vibrant, fun and iconic desert modernism condo in California lists for $1.149M
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A historic Palm Springs, California, condominium designed by one of the town’s most important modernist architects has hit the market for $1.149 million.
Architect Herbert Burns, who launched the Desert Modernism movement in Palm Springs, built the mid-century modern home — 500 W. Arenas Road, Unit 8 — in 1970 as part of an exclusive 10-unit collection called the “500.” It was one of Burns’ last known projects.
“This condo is iconic because it is quintessential Herbert Burns,” listing agent Sandra Quinn of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties told the Sacramento Bee. “This was one of his last designs for his close friend who owned the property — they were ham radio operators and had great fun with communicating that way.”
In fact, an en-suite guest room, which has its own outside access for night-owl visitors, was originally designed as the owner’s ham radio room, Quinn said. The room could also be used as a third bedroom or updated to a gaming or media space, according to the property listing.
Burns built more than 16 custom residences and several apartment hotels and condos in Palm Springs. He designed Unit 8 with the largest floor plan of the 10 apartments at the “500” so there would be ample space for entertaining, Quinn said. Most of his original work on the unit’s interior has been preserved.
Owned by an LLC, SKTK Investment Partners, the unit last sold for $887,500 in 2021, according to Property Shark records.
Quinn, who grew up in Sacramento, said some of the most unique features are book-end matched marble walls on the exterior and interior, an outdoor patio with original poured terrazzo flooring, and a hidden drop-down, fuzzy faux-fur scale in the primary bathroom. There are also secret pop-out shelves on either side of the bed in the primary bedroom.
“The condo’s rich historical background and exclusive design are just a few of its features that set it apart,” Quinn added. “The abundance of skylights throughout the condo is just another luxury that curates its unparalleled living experience. Spanning from the front patio all the way to the other side of the unit, the windows illuminate its interiors with natural light.”
The luxury condo has an expansive layout — 2,234 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and three bathrooms — and vibrant colors. It’s the only unit to include a full-size one-car garage.
The primary suite showcases lime green accent walls, an L-shaped vanity and towering sliding glass doors that overlook the front patio. Its open layout also includes two aisles of closets, and an attached office space.
The remaining two bedrooms provide outdoor access for guests to easily come and go.
Two oversized blue doors open into a spacious foyer and wet bar. The dining area is illuminated with a sparkling centerpiece chandelier. A sliding glass wall opens to a spacious patio off the living room.
A vintage kitchen has an expansive skylight and polished cabinetry’s rose gold finishes, along with granite countertops, upgraded stainless steel appliances, an extended pantry wall, additional dining space and access to the back walkway.
The condo is two blocks from downtown Palm Springs and borders Tahquitz Canyon, where there are lots of hiking trails and outdoor recreation.
The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation paid homage to the work of Burns over the summer.
The event “promises to be an architectural frolic as entertaining and aesthetically pleasing as Burn’s seminal mid-century hospitality and vacation home projects,” according to wallpaper.com.
“Burns was the king of Arenas Road, with several of his projects located there in close proximity to each other, nestled into the San Jacinto Mountains in the historic Tennis Club neighbourhood,” according to the art, entertaining and design website.