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Buildings to Watch

City National Bank

SUCCESS

City National Bank (now Bank of America) 588 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Designed in 1959 by modernist architect Rudi Baumfeld of Victor Gruen Associates, the bank’s sculptural quality echoes architect Le Corbusier’s famous chapel in Ronchamp, France (1955).

On June 14, 2024, following three years of extensive renovations for safety and to restore its midcentury modern architectural and design elements, the Bank of America hosted a grand reopening ribbon-cutting and tour. In recognition of his keen interest in the quality of the renovation, PSPF president Gary Johns was invited to make remarks at the ceremony. To read more about the scope of the renovation project click here.

Also in April of 2022, PSPF was able to preview the color renderings of the proposed refurbishment when they were posted in the bank lobby. After careful review, PSPF board members found that they were surprisingly sensitive to the architectural and interior design features of the original bank design.

On April 4, 2022 PSPF board members Gary Johns and Brad Dunning visited the city’s building department, showed the city officials the FOIA response, and were able to review the plans on-screen.

On March 15, 2022 PSPF was informed by the city of Palm Springs that the requested documents were “available for review at the Building & Safety Counter during normal work hours.”

On February 15, 2022 PSPF sent a California FOIA request to the city clerk of Palm Springs asking to see the plans associated with the bank’s refurbishment. To read the PSPF letter click here.

In early February of 2022, PSPF was informed by a PSPF member that the Bank of America building had announced to its customers that the bank would close in the summer to undergo a refurbishment. Inquiries to the city of Palm Springs’ planning department confirmed that the plans for the project were held by the city’s building department, but were not available for “over-the-counter” review, and that a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request would be necessary.

On December 7, 2021 the city of Palm Springs’ Historic Site Preservation Board reviewed a proposed new ATM enclosure at the Bank of America (formerly City National Bank). To read the city staff report click here.

Courtesy BoA
Courtesy BoA
Courtesy Gensler
Courtesy Gensler
Courtesy Gruen Associates
Courtesy Gruen Associates

IN THE MEDIA

June 14, 2024, Desert Sun (Bank of America)
June 14, 2024, Palm Springs Tribune (Bank of America)
June 14, 2024, Palm Springs Post (Bank of America)

Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

American Legion Post 519

Grants & Sponsorships

American Legion Post 519
400 North Belardo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262
 GRANT

The Owen Coffman American Legion Post 519 Building (1947, Clark & Frey), built by Ryland S. Pinckard, was propelled into existence by the Palm Springs community’s strong desire to honor those lost in the nation’s wars. Architectural historian and author Steven Keylon observes that, “The structure itself appears to be a simple, imposing, unadorned cube, but it is enlivened with Late Moderne detailing including large panels of heavy corrugated architectural glass, and a dramatic asymmetrical overhang marking the entry, which appears to levitate, supported by a single pole. Inside, one originally encountered a lamella roof [since obscured], which is a vaulted roof made up of simple prefabricated timber segments, joined together with bolts to form the distinctive rhomboid pattern.”

On November 6, 2023 PSPF board advisor Susan Secoy Jensen provided the PSPF board with an update on the American Legion’s continuing consideration of the Preservation Plan.

On February 22, 2023, as part of PSPF’s Free Lecture Series during Modernism Week 2023, PSPF board advisor Susan Secoy Jensen presented “A Preservation Plan Case Study: Owen Coffman American Legion Post 519” which was very well received by the standing room only audience.

On January 17, 2023, architect Susan Secoy Jensen (of Secoy Architects) and PSPF board member Ron Marshall met with officers of American Legion Post 519 to provide an update on the progress of the preservation plan. There continued to be solid support for the proposed preservation-friendly modifications to the Legion building. Much of the discussion involved the practical aspects and operational impacts that various “construction sequences” would have on the Legion. Some color renderings of the proposed rehabilitation were left to share with the AL membership. To read the Preservation Plan click here.

On January 9, 2023 the PSPF board was again briefed by Secoy Architects on the progress being made in developing a preservation plan for American Legion Post 519. Only minor suggestions were made to modify the plan and there was unanimity among the PSPF board members that the proposed plan was “on track.”

On October 18, 2022, architect Susan Secoy Jensen (of Secoy Architects) and PSPF board member Ron Marshall met with officers of American Legion Post 519 to discuss the status, and future strategic direction, of the preservation plan.

On August 8, 2022 the PSPF board was briefed by Secoy Architects on the positive progress being made in developing a preservation plan for American Legion Post 519. Various PSPF board members offered suggestions regarding the plan.

On April 27, 2022 Precision Property Measurements (a subcontractor to Secoy Architects, Inc.) visited American Legion Post 519 to gather data for the “as-built” survey of the building. The finished survey will result in a highly accurate floor plan, roof plan, reflected ceiling plan, and site plan (as well as recording exterior elevations).

On April 5, 2022 the American Legion post commander signed the PSPF-American Legion grant MOU on behalf of the legion.

On February 11, 2022 PSPF sent a letter to the American Legion outlining the terms of the grant and an MOU proposing a plan for mutual cooperation to help develop a preservation plan. In the MOU, PSPF would manage the contracted services and the American Legion would guarantee short-notice access to the building as required. To read the PSPF letter click here.

On February 7, 2022 the PSPF board voted to fund the development of an American Legion Post 519 Building preservation plan through PSPF’s grant program in the amount of $24,000.00. Concurrently, the PSPF board agreed unanimously to select preservation architect Susan Secoy Jensen, AIA, of Secoy Architects, Inc., to produce the preservation plan.

On January 14, 2022 PSPF board members Gary Johns, Steven Keylon, Barbara Marshall, Ron Marshall, Brad Dunning, and Jan Harper, and PSPF advisor Susan Secoy Jensen, were given an extensive tour of the American Legion building by legion historian Lee Wilson, Jr. The American Legion leadership was cognizant and proud of the building’s status as a Class 1 Historic Site (HSPB #36), but expressed two practical concerns, (1) that at least a part of the building remained open to members during any rehabilitation and, (2) that any proposed removal of the drop ceiling (currently obscuring the historic lamella ceiling) not significantly increase heating and/or air conditioning costs. In the days following the tour, PSPF asked preservation architect Susan Secoy Jensen, AIA, of Secoy Architects, to draft a cost estimate for a preservation plan.

From December 2021 through February of 2022, PSPF board members discussed ways to support the American Legion’s interest in rehabilitating their historic building. Ultimately, the decision was made to fund a “preservation plan.” Such a plan could serve as a “roadmap” for a sensitive rehabilitation in accordance with the U.S. Department of Interior standards. The PSPF board also speculated that having a formal preservation plan in place might assist in fundraising efforts.

In early December 2021, during conversations with American Legion Post 519 members and officers, PSPF board member Jan Harper was made aware of the legion’s interest in pursuing a rehabilitation of their building.

Courtesy Tracy Conrad
Courtesy Tracy Conrad
Courtesy Secoy Architects, Inc.
Courtesy Secoy Architects, Inc.
Courtesy Secoy Architects, Inc.
Courtesy Secoy Architects, Inc.
American Legion
American Legion
AmLegion4-PSPF-BMarshall-web
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

Indian Canyons Research Project

Grants & Sponsorships

Indian Canyons Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

The Indian Canyons area tells a fascinating story about the development of south Palm Springs during the 1960s and 1970s. Today, the Indian Canyons area represents a treasure trove of modernist residential buildings by a host of talented architects including William Krisel, Hugh Kaptur, and others.

On December 16, 2021, PSPF awarded a $5,000.00 grant to architectural historian Steve Treinen to support his research efforts “regarding the real estate development and architectural diversity of the Indian Canyons area of Palm Springs.” The primary condition of the PSPF grant was that “the grant monies be expended…[for] acquisition costs for vintage photographs, postcards, books, and other materials…scanning archival materials…costs involved with visiting institutions/archives and costs for accessing materials…costs for commissioning contemporary photography of subject matter properties…licensing costs for…[and] images that require royalties….”

This is the second Patrick McGrew Memorial Research grant awarded by PSPF.

To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

Indian Canyons Research Grant
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs

Grants & Sponsorships

Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs
450 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
 GRANT

The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs was designed in 1958 by architect Harold A. Carlson, a prolific modernist architect practicing in southern California. Aside from the Boys & Girls Club, Carlson’s most noteworthy local projects included the 1966-1967 renovation (with architect Leroy Rose) of the Tropic Hills Estates apartment complex (renamed “Rimcrest”) in Palm Springs, and the Silver Spur subdevelopment in Palm Desert.

In mid-February 2022 the exterior refurbishment of the historic original portion of the club building was completed. In an effort to showcase this unappreciated modernist building it was included in PSPF’s “THIS is Palm Springs” postcard series.

On December 15, 2021, after many months of discussion with the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, PSPF awarded a $6,860.00 grant to that organization for the refurbishment of the historic original portion of the club building. The primary condition of the PSPF grant was that “the grant monies be expended only in conjunction with the repair, preparation, and exterior painting of the original Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs building as specified in the December 14, 2021 estimate provided by R. Sanchez Painting, Inc., Job #2197.”

To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

Courtesy Palm Springs Historical Society
Courtesy Palm Springs Historical Society
Courtesy Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs
Courtesy Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs
Courtesy Austyn Moreno
Courtesy Austyn Moreno
Categories
Historic Sites

Leon & Thea Koerner Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Leon & Thea Koerner Residence 1275 South Calle De Maria, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Designed by modernist architect E. Stewart Williams in 1955, the spectacular Koerner Residence in Deepwell Estates is sited on a lot created from four parcels, equaling nearly an acre. Eckbo, Dean, Royston, and Williams were the landscape architects. Both the house and garden have been recently restored using the original architectural drawings and landscaping plan.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On November 9, 2023, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Koerner Residence. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made compelling public comment in support of the designation.

On September 5, 2023, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Koerner Residence.

On November 22, 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owner) submitted the 134-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Koerner Residence to the city of Palm Springs. 

In March of 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Leon & Thea Koerner Residence to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Courtesy Lance Gerber
Courtesy Lance Gerber
Julius Shulman © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)
Julius Shulman © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)
Categories
Historic Sites

Robson & Helen Chambers Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Robson & Helen Chambers Residence 695 South Warm Sands Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Designed in 1946 by Robson Chambers, the house remained his personal residence throughout his rise to prominence as one of the desert’s “master” architects.  Chambers made additions to the home in 1950 and 1956 to accommodate his family’s growing needs.  The home’s innovative design was recognized on both a regional and national scale in newspapers and magazines as well as being chosen by Architectural Record to appear in its 1954 book, A Treasury of Contemporary Houses.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On October 15, 2022, the Chambers Residence was featured in a PSPF home tour. Tourgoers were uniformly positive about the quality of the home’s recent rehabilitation and many commented on the “calm and Zen-like atmosphere” of the interior. Tourgoers were treated to an eight-page informational handout about the house.

On September 29, 2022, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved (without debate) the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Chambers Residence.

On May 4, 2022 the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted enthusiastically and unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Robson & Helen Chambers Residence. The HSPB commended Vaught for his well-researched and detailed nomination, and the owners for their sensitive restoration and stewardship.

On November 10, 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owner) submitted the 60-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Robson & Helen Chambers Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In June of 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Robson & Helen Chambers Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

Courtesy Carlos Serrao
Courtesy Carlos Serrao
Julius Shulman © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)
Julius Shulman © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)
Categories
Historic Districts

Country Club Estates

HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Country Club Estates La Verne Way and Camino Real, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Completed in 1965, Country Club Estates is a 30-unit condominium complex designed by the architectural firm of Jones & Emmons. The model unit was tastefully decorated by the renowned interior design company of Arthur Elrod and Associates. A September 1966 Palm Springs Life magazine article touts the “abundantly well-thought-out plans – for living and storage, for airy spaciousness and artful snugness.”

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On April 25, 2024, the Palm Springs city council approved (5-0) the historic designation of Country Club Estates. PSPF board advisor and author of the nomination Steve Vaught attended the meeting via Zoom and was available to answer questions. Country Club Estates is the city’s ninth residential historic district.

On September 5, 2023, the Palm Springs’ Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to the city council the designation of Country Club Estates as a Historic District. Speaking in support of the nomination was the nomination’s author and PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

On May 2, 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 79-page Historic District nomination for Country Club Estates condominium complex to the city of Palm Springs.

On October 25, 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Historic District nomination for the Country Club Estates condominium complex to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

Country-Club-Estates-BAM_w
Country-Club-Estates-Courtesy-HOA
Categories
Historic Sites

Gillman Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Dr. George & Sadie Gillman Residence 574 West Mariscal Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

The Gillman Residence, designed by architectural designer Herbert W. Burns in 1948, was featured in a January 14, 1951 article in the Los Angeles Times Home magazine. The article described the house as a “sophisticated sun seeker” and lauded Burns’ color planning as “in the same tonal harmony as the desert itself.” Next to the front door, Burns designed a large gridded wall of square cut-outs, set with horizontally-ribbed opaque glass illuminating the entry hallway.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On May 12, 2022, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Gillman Residence. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made compelling public comment in support of the designation.

On April 5, 2022 the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted enthusiastically and unanimously (7-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Dr. George & Sadie Gillman Residence. Both the owner and PSPF board member Steven Keylon made a public comment in support of the nomination.

On November 10, 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owner) submitted the 75-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Dr. George & Sadie Gillman Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In March of 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Dr. George & Sadie Gillman Residence to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Courtesy John Lewis Marshall
Courtesy John Lewis Marshall

IN THE MEDIA

Spring 2021 Issue, Atomic Ranch (Gillman Residence)

Categories
Historic Districts

Security First National Bank

HISTORIC SITES

Security First National Bank (now Union Bank) 500 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264

The Security First National Bank, designed by architect Joseph Bing Wong, was completed in 1958. A sublime single-story modernist structure, the commercial building is an important component of the city’s financial district. One of the building’s most notable features is its bas-relief sculpture by artist Lawrence Tenney Stevens which chronicles the history of Palm Springs.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On May 25, 2023 the Palm Springs city council unanimously approved (5-0) the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of Security First National Bank.

On March 23, 2023 a second subcommittee meeting was attended by city staff and the building owners. PSPF board advisor Susan Secoy Jensen did not attend the meeting but expressed her continued support for the nomination via email to city staff.

On March 6, 2023 a city-sponsored subcommittee met to discuss the Security First National Bank nomination. The meeting was conducted by city staff and included the building owners. Also attending the meeting was PSPF board advisor Susan Secoy Jensen who related her own experiences regarding the ownership of historic buildings.

On February 9, 2023, the Palm Springs city council heard the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for Security First National Bank. Making public comment in support of the nomination were PSPF board members Gary Johns and Barbara Marshall. Unfortunately, the city council failed to reach a decision on the matter and elected to create a committee to try to convince the recalcitrant and out-of-town owners that the designation was in their best financial interests.

On January 3, 2023, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board met to discuss the Security First National Bank Class 1 Historic Resource nomination. A June 3, 2022 historic resources report, prepared for the city by North Wind Resource Consulting, validated the conclusions of the PSPF nomination. Despite opposition from the owner, the HSPB recognized the importance of the building to the community and voted unanimously to recommend to the city council that the building be designated a Class 1 Historic Resource.

On September 14, 2021, the Historic Site Preservation Board was advised by city staff that a “professional services contract” for a “peer review report” had been initiated for the Security First National Bank nomination.

On July 7, 2021, the HSPB voted unanimously (7-0) to have city staff initiate the “processing” of the Security First National Bank “application” (i.e., nomination) to include the scheduling of site visits.

On June 15, 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation submitted the 91-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Security First National Bank to the city of Palm Springs.

On June 1, 2021, the city’s Historic Site Preservation board met to discuss the PSPF request and unanimously voted to amend their work plan making the Security First National Bank designation a city priority.

On May 20, 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation sent a letter to the Chairman of the city of Palm Springs’ Historic Site Preservation Board stating, in part, that “the Security First National Bank…has long been identified as a potential historic site. and is deserving of inclusion in the Historic Site Preservation Board’s current work plan.” The PSPF request was an administrative formality as the bank building had only recently been removed from the HSPB work plan when an HSPB member reported that PSPF might pursue the nomination.

In July of 2020, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Security First National Bank to PSPF board advisor Susan Secoy Jensen.

An early mention of the Security First National Bank (now “Union Bank”) in city records appears in a city of Palm Springs Planning and Building Department document entitled “Potential Sites for Designation” dated August 22, 2000.

Courtesy Palm Springs Historical Society
Courtesy Palm Springs Historical Society
Courtesy John Lewis Marshall
Courtesy John Lewis Marshall
Categories
Historic Districts

Donald & Marilynn Wexler Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Donald & Marilynn Wexler Residence 1272 East Verbena Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Designed by architect Donald A. Wexler, FAIA, for his family in 1954, the Wexler Residence was completed in 1955. The house was built by Leonard Wolf, a local builder and city councilman. An important example of a custom modernist residence, the house prominently appeared in a Los Angeles Times Home magazine article in February of 1958.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On January 13, 2022, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Wexler Residence. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made public comment in support of the designation. A council member kindly likened reading PSPF nominations to a “history lesson.”

On November 2, 2021 the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Wexler Residence. Several HSPB members lauded the quality of the nomination.

On August 19, 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owner) submitted the 52-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Donald & Marilynn Wexler Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In March of 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Donald & Marilynn Wexler Residence to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Courtesy Lance Gerber
Courtesy Lance Gerber
Courtesy Lance Gerber
Courtesy Lance Gerber

IN THE MEDIA

November 12, 2021, Eichler Network CA-Modern (Wexler Residence)