The Coachella Valley Blooms
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FRONT ELEVATION
The Coachella Valley Blooms
California's desert is flourishing BY J O A N TAPPER
Located 100 miles east of Los Angeles,
the 30-mile stretch of desert from Palm
Springs to La Quinta offers numerous sec-
ond-home communities that range in style
from old-world MEXICAN to midcentury
m o d e r n . An example of the latter, Palm
Springs' Port Lawrence will offer 118 units.
i VACATION HOMES AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2 0 0 7
Chalk it up to changing demographics, La Quinta, "and they are trying to enjoy
architectural trends, a starkly beautiful their life. These areas are used much more
mountain and desert landscape.. .or per- than they were 10 years ago."
haps just a widespread love of golf. What- To be sure, real estate sales have slowed
ever the reason, the Coachella Valley, from since the banner years of 2004 and 2005,
Palm Springs to La Quinta and beyond, acknowledges Blomgren. "There's more
has been growing at a jaw-dropping rate. inventory. The lower end of the market is
For decades this getaway 100 miles east slower than the high end, which is slower
of Los Angeles has been a popular winter than it was." And since the Coachella Val-
playground for celebrities, politicians and ley homes are rarely primary residences,
Southern California vacationers; in the buying a house here "is a decision people
last few years, however, the season here don't have to make. They can put it off."
has lengthened markedly, with more year- Yet most Realtors in the area feel luxury
round opportunities for shopping, restau- properties are holding their own.
rants and entertainment. And it seems that every time a new golf
The Palm Springs area is coming into course opens—and there are already more
its own, notes Herbert Spiegel of Gen- than 130—it sets off a chain reaction of
com Group, owners of the soon-to-open people moving from one community to
Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. "Seven another. "Buyers start with a $500,000
years ago, out of season, you'd be hard condo, and figure out if this is where they
pressed not to be redundant with dining want to be," says Janine Stevens, w h o has
or entertainment after just a few days," he a real estate firm in La Quinta. "Then
says. "That's not true anymore." they'll buy a million-dollar lot, move to a
The handful of municipalities has $2 million home, and up to a $5 million
also continued to accentuate their indi- estate. We have the opportunity to do that
vidual personalities. "Most of them are in the desert."
golf course communities, composed of
second, third and fourth home owners, Palm Springs
but each is a little different," notes Real- At the north end of the valley, Palm
tor Bruce Blomgren of Dyson & Dyson Springs has the most urban feel of any of
Real Estate Associates, who has handled the communities, and capitalizing on that
property here for 25 years. A resurgent downtown atmosphere is Port Lawrence,
interest in midcentury modern architec- 118 contemporary residences that will
ture has brought attention to some vener- include studio and live/work lofts, town-
able estates, while open space to the south homes and penthouses. "This will really
and east has prompted both commercial change downtown," says the project's
development and new luxury golf-ori- design architect, D o u g Hudson, a Palm
ented communities. Springs resident. " T h e site was a collec-
"There are a lot of price points and tion of older buildings and a parking lot.
experiences in the valley, and they're all We'll rebuild a portion of one of the old
good," says Neil Tofsky, president and buildings—a canopy, which was the most
C O O of Senterra Real Estate Group, the unique part."
developers behind the Villas of Mirada. The eight buildings, which will border
" D o you want golf or proximity to the a pedestrian promenade at the northern
River shopping center? The diversity is gateway to Palm Springs, have their own
terrific. Each one has a different sense character—"different roof treatments,
of community." window patterns." About 20 percent of
Certainly the coming retirement of the buildings will be up to five stories, the
the post-World War II generation has local limit. " T h e city wanted to signal that
played a role. "Baby boomers have made this is downtown," Hudson says.
their money," notes Michael S. Meld- The units each have a terrace and will
man, chairman and C E O of the Discov- range from one-bedroom lofts of 970
ery Land Company, which has developed square feet to townhomes with private
both the Madison Club and Hideaway in courtyards beginning at 1,875 square feet,
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2 0 0 7 VACATION HOMES
FRONT ELEVATION THE C O A C H E L L A VALLEY B L O O M S
and penthouses and two-story residences Rancho Mirage going a $500 million renovation that
up to 2,300 square feet. Prices range from " R a n c h o Mirage is the heart of the val- included gutting and rebuilding the for-
$600,000 to $2.5 million. ley," says Herbert Spiegel. "It has evolved mer Lodge at Rancho Mirage. It will add
Realtor Debbie Toohey, who sells over decades into the Beverly Hills of 154 residences in early 2008.
homes throughout the entire valley, says Coachella Valley. There are beautiful "We're taking advantage of the loca-
that Palm Springs has a unique village houses, both new and old; they have char- tion," says Spiegel. "We are 650 feet above
atmosphere. The big, old estates have acter. There's history." The River shop- the valley, sitting atop the mountain, pro-
experienced a rebirth, "like Palm Beach ping and entertainment area recently tected from high winds by taller peaks.
30 years ago, with lots of properties being added theaters and restaurants to the mix Ninety-eight percent of the rooms and
redone or rebuilt," she says. "It's different and has proved a popular outdoor evening residences will have spectacular views—
from what I see in country clubs." destination. some of them almost 360 degrees."
O n e Palm Springs home she consid- Later this year the R i t z - C a r l t o n , R a n - In a departure from the Ritz-Carl-
ers notable is contemporary, however—a cho Mirage, will open with 244 rooms ton's traditional decor, both the building
5,100-square-foot residence overlooking and suites, a 25,000-square-foot La Prairie and interiors will reflect the surround-
the valley, listed at $10 million. Spa and several restaurants, after under- ing environment with elements of stone
and wood. "Ritz-Carlton has chosen this 844 to 3,000 square feet, have not been benefits from a unique arrangement with
site to be a prototype for the future," says established, though nonbinding reserva- the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, that
Spiegel."This hotel will embrace the loca- tions are being taken. gives homeowners access to all services
tion and the local lifestyle." And though Across the street from the Ritz-Carlton and amenities of the hotel. "It's a mutu-
the property does not have its own golf are the Villas of Mirada, 46 homes with ally rewarding situation," says Tofsky. "We
course, it does have an arrangement with custom options and panoramic vistas. built this for people looking for prestige,
Mission Hills Country Club, which has " O n e of the challenges of the site was the security and a different environment."
three. Residents and hotel guests will slope and the mountain," explains Neil There are other interesting properties
have access to those, as well as other clubs, Tofsky. "We moved a half million cubic in the area, notes Bruce Blomgren, who
through the golf concierge. yards of dirt to create plateaus to maxi- just closed escrow on an old world-style
Ownership possibilities range from mize the views and create privacy at the home listed at $4.45 million. The prop-
18 condominium spa suites, 86 one- to same time." The houses range from 2,950 erty has four bedrooms and 6,371 square
three-bedroom residential suites, and 68 to 3,730 square feet, and from $2 mil- feet on a one-acre lot. "There's no golf
two- to four-bedroom villa residences. lion to $2.5 million; more than one-third course," he continues, "but it's in the best
Prices for the units, which range from have been sold. The development also high-end residential neighborhood."
Far left: A 6,450-
square-foot home
at Villas of Mirada
listed at $4.45 million
recently sold through
Bruce Blomgren.
Left: The community's
current listings include
the $2 million Villa
San Gorgonio.
Below: Located above
Palm Springs, La
Piedra is listed through
Debbie Toohey for
$10 million.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2 0 0 7 VACATION HOMES
FRONT ELEVATION THE C O A C H E L L A VALLEY B L O O M S
Right: Hideaway is An unusual six-acre estate in Rancho ing services—you never have to leave."
one of two develop- Mirage is a 10,600-square-foot Medi- At Bighorn, Bruce Blomgren has listed
ments in La Quinta by terranean home with seven bedrooms a four-bedroom, 7,000-square-foot resi-
the Discovery Land offered at $8.95 million."It's like a private dence, with a pool, spa and outdoor living
Company. The com- resort," says Debbie Toohey, "with a lake, area, at $5.9 million. "It has a spectacu-
munity encompasses a pool and poolside pavilion, two par- lar view," says Blomgren of the property,
600 acres and offers three greens and a tennis court." which is sited above the third green of the
t w o golf courses. Mountain Course.
Palm Desert and Indian Wells Among the newest golf courses in Palm
Below: One of Palm For visitors passing through, Palm Des- Desert is the Tom Doak—designed Stone
Desert's newest golf ert's El Paseo offers sumptuous boutiques, Eagle, which has just completed its second
courses is at Stone Saks and Tiffany among them, that rival season. " O u r intent was to create a great
Eagle, which offers a R o d e o Drive in Beverly Hills. For those golf club," says Ted Lennon, president of
mix of homesites and who wish to stay longer, both Palm Des- Lowe Destination Development Desert
prebuilt homes. The ert and neighboring Indian Wells encom- Development. The course ranges from
2,554-square-foot Min- pass what are acknowledged as the finest, 500 to 1,000 feet above sea level."It's very
istrelli home is priced most exclusive golf course communities, rugged and majestic, with unusual vistas."
at $2.1 million. where membership in the golf clubs— It is attracting serious golfers, Lennon
which may run several hundred thou- adds, with a strong national membership
sand dollars—is contingent on home or as well as junior membership possibilities
land ownership. for those under 45.
Bighorn Golf Club, in Palm Desert, Stone Eagle has also begun to mar-
for example, has two golf courses and ket the Retreat, 44 homesites in a small
about 550 homesites. "It's a very active, community just below the golf course.
young, hip community," notes Debbie "It's based on an old-world concept," says
Toohey. "There are concierge services, five Lennon. There's the golf course, with a
restaurants, an 11,000-square-foot health publike restaurant that is accessible only
spa, a marketplace, babysitting and clean- by golf cart, "then people go home to
the village." Lots are offered at $500,000
to $1 million and include plans for two-
and three-bedroom homes ranging from
2,600 to 3,800 square feet for $2 million
to $3 million.
In addition to the private homes, there
is also the Residence C l u b at Stone
Eagle, which initially consists of three
casitas offered in fractional shares in the
low $300,000s for a two-bedroom and
the low $500,000s for a four-bedroom.
In Indian Wells, the Vintage is a pri-
vate, exclusive community with two golf
courses, notes Bruce Blomgren. The club
is favored by "captains of industry and
Europeans who come for privacy," he adds.
"It's almost always ranked as the top."
O n e spacious estate in the Vintage is
listed by longtime valley broker Nelda
Linsk, of Coldwell Banker Residential
Broker in Palm Springs, for $12.5 million.
"It's a very European property," she says,
citing its imported floors and cabinetry.
The Mediterranean-style house encom-
passes 16,000 square feet on what were
three lots and includes seven bedrooms.
VACATION HOMES AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2 0 0 7
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2 0 0 7 VACATION HOMES 33
FRONT ELEVATION THE C O A C H E L L A VALLEY B L O O M S
Right: Merv Griffin Also in Indian Wells is the Reserve,
has developed an which opened in 1998. " T h e views there
equestrian community are special," says Ted Lennon, who over-
on 200 acres near his saw the development of that community
own private estate in and remains on its board of directors.
La Quinta. Homes in "You see the three mountain ranges that
the Madeira Collection edge the valley, and there are also down
at Griffin Ranch range valley 'night light' views. There's a lot of
from 3,000 to 5,700 wildlife and mostly indigenous landscap-
square feet. ing." With just 250 members and a single
golf course, the Reserve is small and inti-
Below: The Madison mate, he notes, with architecture that is
Club was designed to very consistent and controlled. "It's visu-
be smaller and more ally spectacular."
intimate than its sister Bruce Blomgren has recently listed a
club, Hideaway. The 7,000-square-foot estate in the Reserve
225 properties all have for $5.85 million. "It's new construction,
larger lots and more which is always desirable, with an old-
expansive views. world design," he says."It is on nine-tenths retailers to set up shop. The large stores Madison Club and Hideaway are very
Opposite: A tilework of an acre, which is a lot of land here." have been welcomed, and the new com- hot. People want the privacy, exclusivity
detail at Hideaway. munities have also been well received. and attention-to-detail service."
La Quinta "People like to have new homes," says At Hideaway, Stevens has listed a
When Realtors and developers look to the Janine Stevens, "and you can get them in new home on a lake with waterfalls for
future of the Coachella Valley, they point La Quinta. It's close to the mountains, and $4.6 million. The 6,424-square-foot res-
to La Quinta and beyond. That is where away from the freeway." Of the luxury idence includes two guest suites with
the land is, which has allowed "big box" communities there, she says, "both the private sitting areas. "It's finished very
VACATION HOMES AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2 0 0 7
nicely and has great views," Stevens adds. Not far from the Madison Club, Merv
Hideaway and the neighboring Madi- Griffin and Trans West Housing are devel- RESOURCES
son Club are projects of the Discovery oping Griffin R a n c h on more than 200
Land Company, which has luxury golf acres that were originally part of the TV PALM SPRINGS The Vintage
and residential properties throughout the celebrity's estate. The equestrian-oriented Port Lawrence 760.774.6619
United States, Mexico and the Bahamas. community, which surrounds the 22,000- 760.864.9200
"La Quinta is a fairly established market," square-foot private Griffin Club for resi- www.portlawrence.com Nelda Linsk
says Michael S. Meldman. "We always dents, is offering 283 homes between Coldwell Banker
knew it was growing, and in an upscale 3,000 and 5,700 square feet starting in the Debbie Toohey 760.325.4500
way. The conventional wisdom is you have mid-$800,000s. There are also 20 one- 760.778.2600 www.californiamoves.com/
to be in the mountains and the coves. But acre homesites starting at $1 million. www.debbietoohey.com nelda.linsk
here we have views to the mountains." "Horse people love it," says Kathy Ediss,
In the case of both properties, Meld- vice president of marketing for Trans West RANCHO MIRAGE The Reserve
man and his partners stepped in when Housing. "And non—horse people appre- Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage 760.568.5599
a previous club with great ambitions ciate the rural atmosphere." At the cen- 888.972.6240 www.thereserveclub.com
encountered problems. D L C promised to ter of the community is the Griffin Club, www.livingranchomirage.com
give the investors what they thought they which will begin construction in the www.ritzcarlton.com LA QUINTA
would get, and more. "We closed the club, fall and will include restaurants, a fitness Hideaway
changed the name, redid the golf course, center, pool, spa and tennis courts. The Villas of Mirada Discovery Land Company
and added another," recalls Meldman."We Saddle Club equestrian center, which will 877.464.7232 310.859.0700
lowered the residential density." There are encompass barns and a covered arena as www.villasofmirada.com 760.777.7450
now around 585 members in the 600- well as several outdoor arenas, is slated to www.hideawaygolfclub.com
acre community, where lots generally sell be ready in early 2008. Bruce Blomgren,
for more than $500,000. This is all just the beginning in La Dyson & Dyson The Madison Club
"We wanted to maintain the course Quinta, says Ted Lennon, noting that the Real Estate Associates Discovery Land Company
better." he continues. "Add great food city is putting two golf courses—includ- 760.779.5353 310.859.0700
and great service, and make it the most ing one designed by Arnold Palmer—on www.bruceblomgren.com www.madisonclubca.com
family friendly. Hideaway was designed a 500-acre site, 75 acres of which are
to be active." reserved for a resort. Lowe Destination PALM DESERT Griffin Ranch
As for the Madison Club, "it came as Development's first project there will be A N D INDIAN WELLS 760.398.7886
an evolution of the success of Hideaway, a 200-room luxury hotel and condomini- Bighorn Golf Club www.griffinranchlaquinta.com
which was very successful, very fast," ums, called La Solana at SilverRock. 888.551.5577
says Meldman. "We had excess land that The studio, one- and two-bedroom units www.bighorngolf.com Silver Rock Resort
was part of the original purchase," since will start at under $1 million and will 760.777.8884
the club that Hideaway replaced was be released in the fall. Still in the design The Retreat at Stone Eagle www.silverrock.org
originally slated to have as many as five phase is a four- or five-story 300-room and the Residence Club at
golf courses. condominium hotel surrounded by a golf Stone Eagle Janine Stevens
With extra land on hand, DLC chose course. Overall, SilverRock is a seven- or 760.773.6223 760.776.2289
to build another community. "The Madi- eight-year project, Lennon adds. www.stoneeagleclub.com www.janinestevens.com
son Club was to be smaller and even more " T h e reason the valley is growing so
intimate," he adds, with about 225 prop- fast," he explains, "is that we're two or
erties with bigger lots and better views. three hours from Los Angeles and San
Tom Fazio designed the golf course, and Diego, and we have water—an aquifer
he was able to incorporate both the golf lake with very good water management.
and the residential aspects of the com- The weather is so good. There's a great
munity, says Meldman, without one workforce. And the community seems to
impacting the other. "You don't see the work together."
houses from the golf course, but they're And even with all the development,
close and have views of the course. The there's a commitment to preserving the
vision came from Fazio," he notes. "It's mountain environment. "Friends of the
different from everything in the valley." Desert Mountains has gotten 30,000 acres
Lots at the Madison Club, which sell of land reserved," he says. " O u r m o u n -
for $2 million plus, were made available by tains are our oceans. We want to keep
invitation this year; about half have sold. that open space."
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2 0 0 7 VACATION HOMES
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