Once owned by Debbie Reynolds, this 1959 Palmer &
Krisel-designed home in Palm Springs’ Racquet Club Road Estates recently hit
the market with an asking price of $535,000. Built by the Alexander
Construction Company, this home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms in
1,225 original square feet, the original 15’ x 30 in-ground Alexander swimming
pool and a two car garage all on a 9,500 square-foot lot.
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| Home fronts wide wide Racquet Club Road |
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| Entry courtyard - we love that vintage swag porch light |
The home sits on wide Racquet Club Road which unfortunately
carries a high 45-mph speed limit with moderate traffic, and sits across from Victoria Park. Out front the property features some fantastic screen/breeze block completed in three separate
sections, giving the property a great midcentury modern vibe. The landscape is
all low-maintenance low-water use, with simple palms and a beautifully
blue-grey smoke tree near the driveway.
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| Dining and living room feature walls of glass overlooking backyard porch and patio |
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| Living room with fantastic retro lighting in the dining area |
Inside, the living, dining and kitchen all sit at the rear
of the home while the bedrooms are at the front. As there was not a fireplace
originally constructed with this home, the rear wall is nearly all glass, which
overlook a covered patio/porch leading out to the swimming pool. The dining
room features a nifty vintage triple-light fixture adding a great retro element
to the room.
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| Dining room and kitchen are open to each other |
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| Kitchen cabinets aren't original but definitely vintage in their own right |
The kitchen had been updated form the original at one point
in time, and is now vintage in its own right. The countertops have been changed to granite and some of the appliances are stainless steel. Newer pulls have been
added to most of the cabinets, but their placement appears to be slightly off.
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| Guest bedroom |
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| Guest bedroom |
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| Guest bathroom with original tub surround |
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| Master bedroom |
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| Master bathroom with original tub surround |
The two guest bedrooms overlook the front yard and park
beyond, are modest in size, and still feature their original north-facing
clerestories. The master bedroom retains its original form, and has its
original slider accessing the private side yard patio. Both bathrooms have been
changed over time; however the original tubs and tile surrounds are still in
place, with 3” white tile in the hall bath and great vintage 3” grey/lavender tile
in the master bath.
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| Covered patio at backyard |
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| Backyard features screened porch and vintage patio cover |
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| Side yard |
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| South-facing backyard is anchored by original 15' x 30' swimming pool |
Out back, a covered and enclosed patio sits off the living
and dining rooms. The large rectangular pool is located at the center of the
yard, and is surrounded by palms and a nearby olive tree. The remainder of the
south-facing yard is low-maintenance rock.
This midcentury modern home has some great lines to it and
is ripe with potential. It’s in clean, livable condition as-is, or could be
enjoyed with a modernist makeover. Either way, it’s a great property with a fun
celebrity history that’s perfect cocktail party conversations.
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