GOTO RANCHO MIRAGE LISTINGS

The city of Rancho Mirage is a much admired resort destination that presents homebuyers with an enviable way of life. Nestled in the lush Coachella Valley, the settings offer nearly 350 days of sunshine as well as various attractions from casinos to country clubs. Even more impressive are the number of architecturally significant luxury homes that encompass the Rancho Mirage real estate market.

The desert climate and surroundings have provided numerous architects with the inspiration to create some spectacular residences. World-renowned architects including William F. Cody, Albert Frey and partners like Van Pelt and Lind have built homes here. Many Rancho Mirage real estate properties are recognized by the Historic Preservation Commission as historically significant and are protected by the city. Buyers with an interest in design, especially mid-century modern design , will be excited by the many architectural gems they will uncover as they search for their ideal home.

"Rancho Mirage" came about from the Spanish "rancho" and French "mirage" in a name that now so aptly describes the mix of traditional and luxury influences that highlight the city. In the 1930s, however, it was simply the promotional name given to parcels by developers Louis Blankenhorn and Laurence Macomber. Planned development began in the post-War era, spurring residential and resort communities that now enjoy worldwide acclaim. Thunderbird Country Club, oldest of the grand clubs (and namesake to the Ford model), began operation in 1951. It was followed shortly thereafter by Tamarisk Country Club. DesertIsland, the Springs, Sunrise, Mission Hills, Rancho Las Palmas and Morningside round out an array of world-class facilities. In the older clubs, youll find designs from Mid-Century Modern architects such as William F. Cody and Richard Neutra. They designed and built many of the Valleys distinctive and inspiring residences, which are hot on the market today. See my special page on Mid-Century Modern.

Rancho Mirage welcomes millions of visitors every year with its plethora of recreational attractions and country club lifestyle. Permanent and seasonal residents are indeed in golfing heaven – over 12 championship courses and clubs are available to choose from. The city is also home to the prestigious Eisenhower Medical Center, many wonderful spas, shops as well as world-class restaurants.

Tamarisk Rancho

Click here to see active properties for sale in Tamarisk Rancho

Tamarisk Rancho is a premium neighborhood located in the heart of suburban Rancho Mirage adjacent to the Tamarisk Country Club. There are two clusters of 16 Mid-Century Modern homes enclosing  groomed, park-like green belts with tranquil views of mature fruit trees and date palms that may predate the development.

The 45-foot swimming pool at the center of this private oasis in the South cluster was advertised in 1958 as "one of the finest in Palm Springs."  It was the scene of al fresco cocktail parties hosted by the likes of Barbara Sinatra, Groucho Marx and other Hollywood talent from in front and behind the camera.

Tamarisk Rancho is architecturally significant as a well designed and intact example of a property type apparently unique to Rancho Mirage and the Coachella Valley area. These are planned unit developments of privately owned single-family residences sharing grounds and a swimming pool (a Cooperative).
 
The three basic roof configurations are flat, low-pitched front gabled, or butterfly. The exteriors are stucco, natural rock, board and batten. Each house is approximately 1,900 square feet plus a garage, in a 3 bedrooms/3 bathroom floor plan, or 2 bedrooms plus den and 2 bathrooms.

Original windows are aluminum-framed casement, sliding, and floor-to-ceiling glass. Some elevations have clerestory windows. Rafters are visible beneath deep eaves. The rectangular houses have open floor plans with indoor-outdoor access through large sliding glass doors. Exterior and interior chimneys are thin brick or natural rock.

Tamarisk Rancho South was developed by Lou Halper's Devon Construction Company in 1958.  Architecturally, the homes were clearly influenced by William Krisel and Dan Palmer's designs for the Alexander Company. According to Krisel himself, Lou Halper paid Krisel to do the overall master plan, then Halper's in-house architects designed the various houses. Not surprisingly, the completed homes bear a striking resemblance to the Palmer and Krisel Alexander homes being constructed at the same time in the Twin Palms area of Palm Springs.

Among the Cooperative SFRs in Rancho Mirage, the Tamarisk Rancho (and Tamarisk Fairway on 10th) properties are the best remaining examples of the type in terms of condition, architectural style, integrity, setting, workmanship, and association. The only alteration to the grounds is the relatively minor fence enclosure of the pool. As an excellent example of this new type of Modern tract housing that characterized Rancho Mirage from the late 1950s to the late 1960s, the Tamarisk Ranchos appears eligible for designation as a historic district.

The history of Tamarisk Rancho centers around a small group of the founding members of the Tamarisk Country Club: developer Lou Halper, City National Bank owner Al Hart, comedian Groucho Marx, producers Alfred Tugend and Harry Robbin, and attorney Philip Eisendrath.  Instead of each building custom houses along the golf course, they decided to have Lou Halper build modest
houses around a communal park and swimming pool on property one block west of the golf course.

Other Tamarisk Country Club members purchased houses at Tamarisk Ranchos including agent Jules Goldstone, Oscar-winning producer/screenwriter Larry Weingarten, J.A. Minow, Joseph Checkers of Chicago, Oscar-winning director Alfred Lushing, Hal Meyers, and attorney Hy Raskin.  Raskin had co-chaired Adlai Stevenson's election campaign and later served as West Coast campaign manager for John F. Kennedy. Many were also members of the Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles.

Barbara Marx purchased the Groucho Marx' house after her divorce from Zeppo Marx and it remained in her name after her marriage to Frank Sinatra.

Resource:
State of California Resources Agency
Department Of Parks And Recreation

Thunderbird Heights in Rancho Mirage the "Playground of the Rich and Famous"

Thunderbird Heights is a gated hillside just across from Thunderbird Country Club. The neighborhood, established in the 1950's, offers a diverse mix of classic Mid-Century Modern homes, remodeled classics, and new construction, most of which were built in the sixties and seventies.
Centrally located in Rancho Mirage makes Thunderbird Heights a very desirable neighborhood. Rancho Mirage's restaurant row is just down the road, and the popular River shopping dining and entertainment complex is nearby. Most homes have panoramic valley and desert views with large lots and living quarters.
A convenient tunnel under Highway 111 directly connects residents with the Thunderbird Country Club. Thunderbird Country Club offers a par-71 classic course.  Although one of the oldest courses in the desert (remodeled in 1987), it is still THE place to be for the rich & famous, including celebrities.
Homes in Thunderbird Heights vary widely in price. You should expect to pay between 1 and 10 million for some of the most elite homes in a famous area.
While many neighborhoods can boast new construction and different amenities, you will find what you need and want in the "playground of the Presidents". It comes with charm from years past, from its older style homes to many rich and famous inhabitants that sometimes spread scandal throughout the community.Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were instrumential in forming the exclusive Thunderbird Heights tract in Rancho Mirage, once the home of President Gerald Ford and his wife Betty.
In the early 1960's, Frank Sinatra was outraged over a scheduled trip to Palm Springs by President John F. Kennedy. Peter Lawford, rat pack crony and brother-in-law to the President, told Sinatra that the President would be staying at Bing Crosby's residence.  Sinatra's  links to organized crime and other disreputable people concerned Bobby Kennedy, the President's brother and attorney general, who did not want the President to stay with Sinatra as a result.
Sinatra was livid with the decision of the Crosby residence - the "other" singer and a Republican.  Sinatra had also installed a heliport and extra phone lines in his home in preparation for the visit.
Bing Crosby's legendary guarded enclave in Thunderbird Heights has been well preserved and updated for today's living.  The "Crooner" himself enjoyed desert living, including his love for golf.  The actor-singer helped establish the Thunderbird Country Club. Bing Crosby sold his golf course lot in 1952, and purchased the first house in what became Thunderbird Heights with his first wife Dixie Lee. After Dixie Lee's death in 1952, Bing Crosby and his four sons (Gary, twins Dennis and Phillip, and Lindsay) continued to enjoy the estate until moving to a ranch home in Palm Desert and his marriage to his new wife and actress, Katherine Grant.
Howard Lapham was a modernist architect who designed homes for California's wealthy and movie elite. Many Lapham homes were in Thunderbird Country Club and Thunderbird Heights. Architectural Digest has featured Lapham: Hyatt von Dehn Residence (1960, Thunderbird Heights), Kiewit Residence (1960, Thunderbird Country Club), Clarke Swanson Residence (1961, Thunderbird Country Club), and the remodel of the Thunderbird Country Club clubhouse (1961).
Lapham's most famous renovation was the ultra-modern facade of the Chi Chi nightclub in 1959. In 1970, Lapham built the Cook House, known as Ichpa Mayapan for its Mayan theme, atop Thunderbird Heights. The Cook house was featured in the film Desert Utopic, Mid-Century Architecture in Palm Springs.

If you're interested in seeing the properties in Thunderbird Heights click here:

or simply would like more information about these hard to find homes, contact us today so you don't miss this opportunity.

Homeowners Association fees in Thunderbird Heights are very affordable. If you're looking for a name gated community, Thunderbird Heights must be on your list.

Learn more about Rancho Mirage real estate from a specialist with an understanding of architecturally significant properties. Contact Ralph Haverkate today for more information.

Facts and Figures:SEASONAL MEDIAN AGE: 54 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $78,434 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $695,000 HOUSEHOLD WITH CHILDREN: 59%1 MILLION VISITORS PER YEAR 350 DAYS OF SUNSHINEANNUAL RAINFALL 5.23"

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