High above the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert and Palm Springs at some 4,300 feet sits a mid century lodge-style house Frank Sinatra helped to design in 1970. The home was sold at the time of his death in 1998 and now its second owners have recently listed it at $3.9M.
At one point several years back, these same owners had listed the home at $4.95M but now “…we’ve aligned ourselves with the market, ” said listing agent Markus Canter of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.
Sinatra had wanted a place to escape from the bright lights and cameras and as well as a place to entertain his Rat Pack buddies with whatever and whenever his guests wanted and/or needed 24 hours a day. The 6 acre parcel of land he chose to develop could not have been more private nor more spacious. Three buildings with a total of 6,425 square feet of living space are sparse among the acreage.
The main house sports two full kitchens with commercial grade appliances in each to make sure his guests had enough to eat while luxuriating in a resort sized swimming pool, appreciating panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and chasing balls around six lighted tennis courts. There is even a secret passage between two of the three bedrooms in the two story guest house.
The exterior of the main house is a mix of natural field stone and shingles. Its interior has vaulted beamed ceilings, hardwood floors and multiple stone fireplaces throughout the home. There are five bedrooms and five and a half baths in the main house. The master suite includes two bathrooms, two saunas, a kitchenette and one of the stone fireplaces. Ample parking for 24 cars is just steps from the house.
Sinatra made sure his “private paradise” named the Villa Maggio after his character in “From Here to Eternity” for which he won an Academy Award, was doom’s day prepared. He installed his own generator and his own helipad.
The structure and design of the home are solid. The interior does need a bit of stylistic and technical updating to keep pace with current trends and tools. But, this home comes with legendary stories, multiple possibilities and a price tag that does seem to be well aligned with the market.
