Event Features Signature Home Tours in Palm Springs, Featured Home Tours, Tours of Iconic Homes, and Much More

PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 5, 2024) – Modernism Week’s highly anticipated 20th anniversary February festival will offer a range of unique and compelling programs, including tours of architecturally significant homes and buildings that are rarely open to the public.

Taking place February 13 to 23, 2025 in the Palm Springs area of Southern California, the 11-day event highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture.

In addition to offering compelling tours of architectural homes in more than 28 neighborhoods, the festival will also offer exclusive opportunities to tour iconic architectural homes designed by renown architects including Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Albert Frey, William Krisel, William Cody, Donald Wexler, and Stan Sackley. Tickets are on sale now at modernismweek.com and information about all home tours may be found at https://modernismweek.com/2025/home-tours/.

“The carefully curated Modernism Week tours provide our participants with the opportunity to get an inside look at what it is like to live in architecturally significant spaces,” said Lisa Vossler Smith CEO of Modernism Week. “We are thrilled to provide exciting new tours this year, and we have also brought back tours of some of the most popular locations we have offered over the last twenty years. These are rare opportunities to see first-hand what makes these iconic properties so special. We’re especially grateful to the many homeowners who are generously participating by donating their homes for tours.”

In honor of its impressive two decades of programming, this year the Modernism Week team worked closely with neighborhood partners and homeowners of exclusive and seldom-seen homes to offer limited tours of significant homes that have been showcased in previous years. These tours celebrate the rich legacy of the Desert Modernist architects and feature many of the stunning homes they designed. Some of the homes include the Steve McQueen residence, the Sinatra Estate, the Arthur Elrod “Escape House,” Albert Frey, William Cody and Donald Wexler’s private residences, and the Raymond Loewy Residence.

2025 HIGHLIGHTED TOURS

Each year, Modernism Week presents Featured Home Tours, showcasing classic residences that have been artfully reimagined by today’s designers. This year these include:

·       Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: The West House (2/14-17, and 2/21-23, $40) Tour the dynamic residence recently remodeled by Michelle Boudreau Design previously owned by actor Adam West, best known for his role as Batman. This 1954 property in the cherished Old Las Palmas neighborhood features customized elevated details and revitalized modernist aesthetics with an innovative twist, all while paying tribute to Albert Frey’s signature architectural elements and honoring the iconic legacy of Batman. 

·       Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: Sackley Chase Sensation (2/14-17, and 2/21-23, $40) This stunning 70s residence was designed by the prolific Palm Springs architect Stan Sackley in 1976 and beautifully decorated by the iconic interior designer Steve Chase. This remarkable home, recently updated by Grace Home Furnishings, features striking Brutalist features, including pristine Italian natural travertine floors and expansive walls of glass that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Indian Canyons golf course. It will also be the exclusive location for the Saturday Night Soiree on 2/15 ($175) where the home will transform into a festive haven of high-style sophistication. Guests will enjoy vibrant cocktails and indulge in gourmet hors d’oeuvres by Trio, set against the backdrop of Steve Chase’s iconic design elements and glittering accents that capture the essence of 70s opulence.

Several tours showcase unique homes located in multiple neighborhoods. The Signature Home Tour series has long been one of the premier Modernism Week interior home tour experiences, and this year features two tours in Palm Springs and another in Palm Desert. The participating homes were specifically curated to provide tour participants with the unique opportunity to see a range of stunning homes designed by notable architects.

·       Signature Home Tour: Morning and Afternoon Tour (both: 2/16 and 2/23, $150) Each Sunday this tour will showcase a different selection of homes in Palm Springs, curated to show the best of Desert Modernism as designed by iconic midcentury architects such as William Krisel and Donald Wexler to “new century modern” masters of contemporary design.

·       Palm Desert Signature Home Tour (2/18, $100) This popular tour of midcentury modern and “new century modern” homes will take place in the beautiful neighborhoods of South Palm Desert. Until now, many of these properties have been a best-kept secret in the greater Palm Springs area.

A new muti-neighborhood tour offered this year is Celebrating a Decade of Palm Springs Modern Living by James Schnepf: A Special Home Tour (2/18, $160), an extraordinary self-driving tour of six homes in five neighborhoods offers a rare opportunity to explore properties designed by legendary midcentury architects as captured in James Schnepf’s acclaimed book Palm Springs Modern Living. In honor of the 10th anniversary of Schnepf’s iconic work, this exclusive tour offers a rare opportunity to explore properties designed by legendary midcentury architects including William Krisel, E. Stewart Williams, Charles DuBois, Howard Lapham and Lance O’Donnell.

The Palm Springs School: A Symposium (2/22, $75 – $195 Symposium PLUS Home Tour) This symposium and home tour by Palm Springs Art Museum and Palm Springs Architectural Alliance establishes Palm Springs Desert Modernism as a unique architectural movement. The symposium includes the option of an afternoon self-driving tour of five of the most significant homes of the Palm Springs School of Desert Modernism. A limited number of symposium PLUS home tour tickets will be available for guests to experience a self-driving tour of the exteriors and interiors of five of the most significant homes of the Palm Springs School of Desert Modernism. These exceptional five homes are not usually available for interior tours and are distinctly different examples of Desert Modernism.

In addition, tours of individual iconic homes and buildings designed by leading architects will be offered during the festival. These include:

·       Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Palms” Estate Tour (2/20, $50) Always one of the most popular events of Modernism Week, Frank Sinatra’s storied “Twin Palms” estate was designed by modernist architect E. Stewart Williams in 1947.  The home has been described as “great midcentury design combined with Hollywood lore.”  The residence was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. 

·       Experience the spectacular architecture of John Lautner and tour The Lautner Compound (2/14 – 2/16, 21, and 22/$60) built in 1947 and reimagined as “The Lautner” in 2012 after an extensive five-year renovation.  All the surrounding properties were incorporated into “The Lautner Compound,” a collection of four boutique properties masterfully restored and designed. A portion of the proceeds of this tour will benefit the John Lautner Foundation. The location will also host a Twilight Reception and Tour with Craft Cocktails and Bites (2/14, $100), offering a rare opportunity to view this stunning property at night while enjoying cocktails and enjoying light nibbles.

·       The Howard Hughes Residence: PS ModCom Iconic Home Tour + Optional Cocktail Reception (2/17, $50/$125) Nestled into the hillsides of the Araby Cove enclave, with Lautner’s Elrod house perched above, sits a truly unique 1957 midcentury house that was once owned by the eccentric movie mogul and aviator billionaire, Howard Hughes. The house is built on multiple levels, accessed by floating staircases, and features walls of glass that provide a 220-degree view of the desert, mountains and city. The three interior bathrooms have all their original details, as well as the kitchen with its original ‘mint green’ Western Holly stove and oven. The tour is followed by an optional poolside reception.

·       Raymond Loewy Residence: PS ModCom Iconic Home Tour (2/22, $65) Located on the edge of Palm Springs’ Little Tuscany neighborhood, The Loewy house is set amidst the desert landscape and features a curved glass pavilion and a large pool that extends into the living room, making it the perfect setting for entertaining. Loewy wrote, “The scene resembles a blue lagoon in a desert oasis.” 

·       William Holden Estate Tour (2/16, $50) Designed by master builder Joe Pawling (who constructed some of Wexler & Harrison’s most admired designs), this residence is notable for its one-acre “through-lot,” its walls of glass and, most importantly, its sublime modernist post-and-beam construction.

·       Sophisticated Sun Seeker: The Gillman Residence Tour (2/17, $50) Tour the Herbert Burns-designed Gillman Residence (1948), a sublime example of residential architecture with a fascinating preservation story.

·       The Griffing and Goldberg residences: PS ModCom Iconic Home Tour (2/16, $100) This exciting tour will feature two houses in Southridge, one of the most exclusive and historic estates in Palm Springs. The Griffing Residence was owned by Thomas Griffing, one of the original investors in Southridge and in 2014 award-winning architect Susan Secoy Jensen, AIA, acquired the house and reimagined it, returning it to its minimal design. The 1962 Goldberg Residence was purchased by Chicago industrialist and inventor Stanley Goldberg, who commissioned William F. Cody to expand his original floor plan. In 2016, designer Michael Johnston and Broadway lyricist David Zippel purchased the house, and Michael conducted an extensive restoration based on Cody’s original plans to showcase the original distinctive and glamorous features.

·       King Gillette Estate Tour (2/20, $50) Tour the Spanish Revival style King Gillette Estate (1923) in the Mesa which recently underwent a thorough renovation by interior designer Bill Stewart.

·       “Canyon Country Club: History and Design of Palm Springs’ Garden of Eden” Book Signing and Tour (2/15, $75) The marvelous custom midcentury Dr. Maurice Rice residence (1969, William Krisel) in Canyon Country Club features a pentagonal 75-foot-long lap pool that traverses the entirety of the back of the home and enjoys one of the finest lots in Canyon Country Club, near the iconic lakes and fountains.

·       James Logan Abernathy Residence Tour (2/18, $50) The stunning the 4,680 square foot pavilion-style James Logan Abernathy Residence, designed by modernist architect William F. Cody in 1962, has been featured in numerous shelter magazines. Usually only seen on small and exclusive architectural tours, this is a rare chance to explore this architecturally significant residence.  

·       Cody’s Cody X PKS3: Art and Architecture Experience at the Cody Family Home (2/14, 2/15, 2/21, and 2/22, $50) This tour of Desert Modernist architect William Cody’s personal 1954 residence will feature an immersive light installation created by internationally acclaimed artist Phillip K. Smith, III that engages with the glass, light, and geometry of this iconic home. This tour presents a rare chance to explore the house while experiencing a temporary, site-specific art installation designed to interact with his indelible design.

·       Exclusive Exhibition Opening & Sunset Reception: Growing Up Wexler: Life in the Wexler Family House (2/15 $150) In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the house architect Donald Wexler designed for his family in 1955, a selection of personal photos, home movies, and memorabilia will be shared with the public for the first time by Wexler sons Glenn, Gary, and Brian, and will be exhibited throughout the house and adjacent carport during an exclusive sunset reception. The house and exhibition will also be available for ticketed tours in Growing Up Wexler: Life in the Wexler Family House–A Site-Specific Exhibition (2/17-20, $50). Funds will benefit the Wexler Archive at CalPoly Pomona.

Don’t miss the Joshua Tree Retreat Center: Historic Lloyd Wright Site Presentation and Self-Guided Walking Tour (2/16 and 2/17, $70). Explore historic Joshua Tree Retreat Center, featuring Lloyd Wright’s largest collection of works. The event includes a 1-hour presentation by architectural experts, a self-guided walking tour, and lunch.

Many programs in the 2025 festival demonstrate how interior design significantly impacted midcentury modern culture. Programs featuring this include:

·       VIBE House Tour (2/20, $50) This time-capsule home tour in the Deepwell Estates neighborhood will showcase the lavish and audacious design of the VIBE House, formerly owned by “Plumber to the Stars” Jack Stephan. This 3,250-square-foot treasure is a bold testament to lavish living and audacious design. Completed in 1970, this One Thousand and One Nights-inspired fantasy known as “Stephan’s Folly” dazzles with its unique blend of paisleys, plaids, and vibrant colors, reflecting Jack’s flamboyant personality.

ARCHITECTURAL BUS TOURS

One of the best ways to experience Modernism Week is on the popular Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour (2/13 – 2/22, $130). This signature tour provides guests with a 2.5-hour overview of significant civic and commercial buildings, as well as residential properties located within notable Palm Springs neighborhoods, including the midcentury “leisure lifestyle” communities in South Palm Springs. Lead by knowledgeable guides, this open-air experience provides participants with a better understanding of the historical richness and architectural diversity found in this desert oasis.

In addition, Modernism Week offers other compelling double decker bus tours, including:

·       Bella da Ball’s Celebrity Homes Bus Tour (2/14 – 2/16 and 2/21 – 2/22, $100) Bella da Ball, Palm Springs’ own drag ambassador, guides this special sunset tour of Palm Springs celebrity haunts, clubs and homes.

·       Charles Phoenix Super Duper Double Decker Bus Tour (2/14 – 2/23, $160) Experience midcentury architectural treasures of Palm Springs with retro pop culture humorist and author Charles Phoenix as he leads a spirited adventure atop a double decker open-air bus.

·       Illuminated Twilight Bus Tour (2/14 – 19, 2/21, and 2/22, $100) This evening tour provides guests with a 90-minute illuminated view of some of the most significant midcentury architectural treasures of Palm Springs.

·       Sinatra’s Rat Pack Homes & Hangouts Bus Tour (2/13 – 2/22, $100) This 90-minute tour features the desert-modern style homes of Rat Pack members and several of the hangouts that they frequented, many of which still exist. Also see residences of other celebrities of the era, including Dinah Shore, Elvis Presley, Liberace, Desi Arnaz, and Jack Benny.

·       The Homes That Define Palm Springs Bus Tour (2/13 and 2/20, $100) This 90-minute tour showcases some of the most popular neighborhoods in Palm Springs, drawing attention to the spectacular home styles, including pre-war Spanish Colonial Revival and a range of midcentury modern residential architectural styles.

Modernism Week aficionados will be pleased to see that “fan favorite” tours will return this year. Highlights include tours of Sunnylands, Frey House II, The House of Tomorrow, tours of the historic Temple Isaiah, and many Palm Springs Historical Society Walking Tours.

Modernism Week top sponsors include Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Monogram, Cotino, Flor, Natural Retreats, and Willis. The City of Palm Springs is the Civic Presenting Sponsor. To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X. 

Modernism Week will celebrate twenty years with its signature 11-day festival that will take place February 13-23, 2025. Tickets are available now. To receive updates, visit modernismweek.com and sign up to receive the free M Magazine. 

About Modernism Week

Modernism Week is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization providing scholarships to local Palm Springs students pursuing college educations in the fields of architecture and design as well as giving grants to local and state organizations for their efforts to preserve modernist architecture throughout the state of California.