Blog – Page 4 – Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

Merrill Lynch Building

Post author By user
Post date September 26, 2023

Merrill Lynch Building 415 South Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA 92264

The two-story 1971 Merrill Lynch Building was architect Donald Wexler’s very successful foray into “New Formalism,” a style which blended modernism and classicism. Wexler’s large building (13,000 square feet) commands a prominent site on South Palm Canyon Drive in the city’s financial district. The building’s temple-like design, rigid use of symmetry and massive columns, combine to evoke a sense of gravity, authority, stability, and permanence. All perfect attributes of a financial institution.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On October 24, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (3-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Merrill Lynch Building. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made compelling public comment in support of the designation.

On September 3, 2024, 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 Merrill Lynch Building.

On September 13, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 59-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Merrill Lynch Building 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 Merrill Lynch Building to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Merrill-Lynch-Courtesy-Scott-Timberlake_w

Grants and Sponsorships

Star for William Charles Tanner

Post author By user
Post date March 9, 2023

Grants & Sponsorships

William Charles Tanner, Star on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars 300 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
SPONSORSHIP

On February 24, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation sponsored the 456th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars for artist and architectural designer William Charles Tanner. The star is sited on the north side of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Architecture and Design Center.

Tanner’s many contributions to the city’s built environment include the Desert Inn (since demolished), the O’Donnell House, Invernada, and the Community Church. PSPF board member Gary Johns led the charge to recognize the architect arguing that the city’s architectural heritage “stood on the shoulders” of Tanner’s Spanish Colonial Revival buildings of the 1920s and 1930s. PSPF was honored to have many of Tanner’s relatives attend the star dedication. The VIPs were regaled with speeches by former mayor and PSPF honorary board member Will Kleindienst, PSPF member Steve Scott, and others. As part of the ceremony, art collectors Mickey Welch and Lou Armentrout donated a painting by Tanner entitled “Near Lone Pine” (circa 1920s) to the Palm Springs Historical Society.

Click the image above to read the entire handout.

Grants and Sponsorships

R. M. Schindler Research Project

Post author By user
Post date December 1, 2022

Grants & Sponsorships

R. M. Schindler Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

On January 9, 2023, the PSPF board was briefed by Luke Leuschner on his research progress regarding modernist architect Rudolph Schindler’s work in the Coachella Valley. Included in his briefing were hitherto unknown vintage family photographs of the Popenoe Cabin.

On October 4, 2022, PSPF sent a letter formalizing the grant arrangement with Leuschner. The grant was designated the “Fourth Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant” in honor of the late PSPF board member who made significant contributions to the public’s understanding of the Coachella Valley’s built environment. The working title of the prospective grant product is R. M. Schindler and the California Desert. To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

On October 3, 2022, the PSPF board was extensively briefed by architectural researcher Luke Leuschner on modernist architect R. M. Schindler’s work in the Coachella Valley. Leuschner talked about the hitherto untapped quantity of archival material available on the topic and proposed that PSPF consider supporting a book on the topic. After some discussion by the board, the decision was made to confer a $6,000 research grant to Leuschner to conduct research on architect Schindler’s seminal work in the Coachella Valley.

Courtesy Patrick McGrew

Historic Sites

Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence

Post author By user
Post date August 19, 2022

HISTORIC SITES

Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence 701 North Patencio Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

One of the first houses in Old Las Palmas, the Hicks Residence was built in 1926 by pioneer builder Alvah Hicks as a spec house. The Hicks family lived in the house, selling it in 1929 to Anna Trischman Pryor and her sister Elizabeth. It was next sold in 1931 to Beatrice B. R. Moore, wife of diplomat Thomas Ewing Moore. She sold the house in 1936 to Charles Crane and his wife Cornelia. Charles Crane was a wealthy American businessman, heir to the Crane Plumbing fortune, and connoisseur of Arab culture. Crane died in the house in 1939.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On May 23, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (4-0) approved the Class 2 Historic Resource designation of the Hicks Residence.

On April 2, 2024, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 2 Historic Resource designation of the Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made public comment in support of the nomination.

On March 27, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 80-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Hicks Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In June of 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Historic Sites

Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence

Post author By user
Post date August 19, 2022

HISTORIC SITES

Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, Palm Springs, CA 92264

The Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence is a rare intact example of the early work of John Porter Clark, one of Palm Springs’ most important and influential architects. Today, renowned as one of the founders of “Desert Modern,” Clark was nonetheless highly skilled with traditional styles as desired or, in the case of Smoke Tree Ranch, required by clients. Completed in 1937, the Burnham-Overly Residence is a classic rendition of Ranch House Revival, a style which would gain great popularity in Palm Springs in the years following World War II. Its design was so well received, the owners of Smoke Tree Ranch used it in advertisements for the development in the late 1930s.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On October 10, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (3-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Burnham-Overly Residence.

On September 11, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 76-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Burnham-Overly Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In July of 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

Historic Sites

Louis McLaughlin Blankenhorn-Donald S. Gilmore Residence

Post author By user
Post date August 19, 2022

HISTORIC SITES

Louis McLaughlin Blankenhorn-Donald S. Gilmore Residence 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, Palm Springs, CA 92264

The very first (and arguably most historic) private home to be built on Smoke Tree Ranch, the Blankenhorn-Gilmore Residence’s rustic, Ranch-style design has served as a model for the nearly 100 homes that have followed. Built in 1930, the home has the unique cachet of having been the work of two master architects, with its original design by Garrett van Pelt, Jr., a major figure in Southern California architecture during the period, and Albert Frey, one of Palm Springs’ iconic architectural masters, who sensitively added to the house in later years.

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 Blankenhorn-Gilmore Residence. PSPF board member Tracy Conrad 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 Blankenhorn-Gilmore Residence. Speaking in enthusiastic support of the nomination were PSPF board member Tracy Conrad and the nomination’s author and PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

On August 8, 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owner) submitted the 71-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Blankenhorn-Gilmore Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In March of 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Louis McLaughlin Blankenhorn-Donald S. Gilmore Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

Historic Sites

M. H. Atikian Building

Post author By user
Post date August 19, 2022

HISTORIC SITES

M. H. Atikian Building 120 West Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

The M. H. Atikian Building, Royal Palm Gallery, and Penthouse Apartment was designed for M. H. Atikian in 1950 by architect William F. Cody. The steel-framed commercial structure used natural granite stonework and redwood siding to add warmth and visual interest. After a 1979 fire, the building was rehabilitated by architect Richard Harrison.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On July 9, 2024, the city council voted (3-2) to deny the Historic Site Preservation Board’s recommendation for Class 2 historic resource designation of the Atikian Building.

On June 17, 2024, PSPF was notified that the Atikian Building designation had been rescheduled to the city council’s July 9, 2024 agenda.

On June 13, 2024, with only four members present, the city council removed the designation application of the Atikian Building from the consent calendar and “continued” the item to a later date.

On May 23, 2024, a tie (2-2) vote of city council members prompted the rescheduling of the Atikian Building designation to June 13, 2024.

On April 25, 2024, the Palm Springs city council voted (5-0) to procedurally “table” the Atikian Building designation to May 23, 2024 “to get feedback from the owner on their intent for restoring the building.”

On October 3, 2023, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 2 Historic Resource designation of the M. H. Atikian Building. PSPF board member, and the nomination’s author, Steven Keylon spoke in support of the nomination.

On June 21, 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owner) submitted the 75-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the M. H. Atikian Building 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 M. H. Atikian Building to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Courtesy Scott Timberlake

Grants and Sponsorships

PSAA Book Project

Post author By user
Post date August 19, 2022

Grants & Sponsorships

PSAA Book Project Grant

The Palm Springs Architectural Alliance is an informal affiliation of local organizations associated with architectural preservation and education in the Coachella Valley.

On August 9, 2022, PSPF awarded a $5,000.00 grant to the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance (PSAA) to support their “efforts regarding an academic architectural book project on The Palm Springs School: 1930-1980.” To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

Grants and Sponsorships

Albert Frey Research Project

Post author By user
Post date April 19, 2022

Grants & Sponsorships

Albert Frey Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

On August 18, 2024 Luke Leuschner provide the PSPF board with the 192-page “final” report of his Complete Works of Albert Frey FAIA (1903-1998) research project. To read the report click here.

On August 29, 2022 architectural historian Luke Leuschner provided the PSPF board with a 136-page “early” draft of his Complete Works of Albert Frey FAIA research project.

On April 4, 2022 PSPF awarded a $10,000 grant to architectural historian Luke Leuschner to support his research efforts regarding architect Albert Frey. The grant will support the investigation of a host of resources that have become available in recent years (including those found at museums, universities, historical societies, private collections, etc.) in an effort to expand the current knowledge and understanding of “one of our valley’s most important modernist architects.”

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

To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

Premiere Apartments, 1958 JShulman_Getty

Buildings to Watch

City National Bank

Post author By user
Post date April 15, 2022

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 Gensler

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)

Merrill Lynch Building 415 South Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA 92264

REFERENCES

William Charles Tanner, Star on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars 300 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262SPONSORSHIP

R. M. Schindler Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence 701 North Patencio Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

REFERENCES

Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, Palm Springs, CA 92264

REFERENCES

Louis McLaughlin Blankenhorn-Donald S. Gilmore Residence 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, Palm Springs, CA 92264

REFERENCES

M. H. Atikian Building 120 West Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

REFERENCES

PSAA Book Project Grant

Albert Frey Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

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

IN THE MEDIA

William Charles Tanner, Star on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars 300 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
SPONSORSHIP