“Style comes and goes, long skirts, short skirts...Modernism is not a style but a language that continues to be used and evolves as times change”
Racquet Club Estates
Architecture
The Racquet Club Estates were developed between 1959 and 1962 by the Alexander Construction Company and designed by William Krisel of Palmer & Krisel Architects. The 360 home development was the Alexander Construction Company's largest tract. Each house in the Estates offered buyers identical floorplans designed specifically for weekend and vacation getaways. However, Krisel achieved a variety of distinctive exterior design styles through combinations of two different street orientations and five different roofline options. Houses in the Estates appealed to buyers because of their open floorplans, high ceilings, and expansive lot sizes averaging 10,000 square feet.
Location & Appeal
The neighborhood located approximately North of Vista Chino Ave and East of Indian Canyon Blvd. The first homes at Racquet Club Road Estates were completed in 1959, located in the vicinity of the popular Palm Springs Racquet Club resort. The homes were designed as weekend getaway pads, and many were owned by Hollywood celebrities that frequented the Racquet Club. The mid-century bungalows consisted of 1,225 square foot layouts, approximately 35' x 35'. The post and beam construction allowed for soaring rooflines, an open floor plan, and an indoor/outdoor relationship to the generous 1/4 acre lots dotted with poodled olive trees and fan palms.
For more information, visit the official Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization:
www.racquetclubestates.com
Our Mellow Yellow Butterfly...
Our home follows the "butterfly" roofline, distinguished by the lower center and higher ends of the roof. This allows for soaring ceilings, clerestory windows and in our opinion, one of the most whimsical and best representation of the mid-century, modernist architecture era. Our home has been slightly modified from its original layout by having the garage enclosed (yay game room) and also the double-door entry hallway that gives more of a grand entrance that says "Hello!."
Perhaps the main element that isn't true to the style are the Ferrari emblems which previous owners had etched into the glass on the front doors...they are staying for now and give the house some character, but look for those to be changed someday!
