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Celebrity Real Estate
The midcentury-modern home was designed by architect William Krisel
This Palm Springs, California, home is known as the “House of Tomorrow” and is famous for being Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s honeymoon destination.Photo: Chris Miller/One Point Media Group
Elvis fanatics and midcentury design aficionados with a spare $5.65 million will want to turn their attention to Palm Springs. The home where Elvis and Priscilla Presley celebrated their honeymoon, known as the “House of Tomorrow,” just hit the market, according to the Wall Street Journal. The 4,695-square-foot, four-bedroom, five-bathroom structure sports a unique profile made up of four circular sections under a dramatically angular sloped roof, designed by Modernist architect William Krisel, who was known for his innovative tract housing.
The living room is centered around the floating fireplace.
The kitchen.
The contemporary-style home was built in 1960 for Bob Alexander, who owned a construction company that developed thousands of homes in Palm Springs and the nearby Vista Las Palmas. At the time, the home was heralded as a landmark representing the future of home design. Its electronic temperature controls and outdoor lighting and sprinkler systems were cutting-edge for the era. In 1962, Look magazine described the structure as a “$300,000 pleasure dome that proves California has only begun to show how luxurious things can be on this planet.”
The rear of the home.
Last purchased for $2.6 million in 2020, the house underwent extensive renovations and restorations over the last two years while staying faithful to its original design, earning a historic site designation. Inside, the midcentury abode’s circular rooms are lined with exposed-rock walls and floor-to-ceiling glass. A 60-foot-long cream couch follows the living room’s curvature, enveloping a floating hearth topped by an eye-catching beaker-shaped white steel fireplace hood that juts out of the ceiling. A matching hood tops the circular kitchen island, which houses five gas burners and is lined in light wood paneling. A connecting living room boasts a fireplace and opens to the pentagon-shaped pool outside via sliding glass doors.
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The main bedroom boasts mountain views.
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Upstairs, the primary bedroom is lined with windows, offering sweeping views of the palm-tree-dotted property and nearby mountains. The ensuite bathroom is, of course, centered by a large circular bathtub.
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As a seasoned architectural historian and enthusiast, my extensive knowledge encompasses various architectural styles, with a particular focus on midcentury-modern design. I've immersed myself in the works of renowned architects, analyzing their contributions and understanding the cultural impact of their creations. This passion for architecture extends to my familiarity with William Krisel, a prominent Modernist architect known for his innovative tract housing, which played a pivotal role in shaping midcentury residential landscapes.
The article highlights a midcentury-modern home in Palm Springs, California, famously known as the "House of Tomorrow." Designed by William Krisel, this architectural gem holds historical significance as the honeymoon destination of the iconic couple, Elvis and Priscilla Presley. The $5.65 million property showcases Krisel's distinctive design, characterized by four circular sections beneath a strikingly angular sloped roof.
The house, built in 1960 for Bob Alexander, features a contemporary style that was groundbreaking at the time. Krisel's forward-thinking approach is evident in the incorporation of cutting-edge elements, such as electronic temperature controls and advanced outdoor lighting and sprinkler systems. The property was heralded as a symbol of the future of home design, as exemplified by Look magazine in 1962.
Originally purchased for $2.6 million in 2020, the House of Tomorrow underwent extensive renovations and restorations while preserving its original design, earning it a historic site designation. The circular rooms with exposed-rock walls and floor-to-ceiling glass windows maintain the midcentury charm. The living room, centered around a floating fireplace, features a 60-foot-long cream couch, and the circular kitchen island, adorned with a matching hood, adds to the home's unique character.
The article also highlights the upstairs primary bedroom, offering panoramic views of the property and nearby mountains through expansive windows. The ensuite bathroom features a large circular bathtub, emphasizing the luxurious and futuristic aspects of midcentury design.
In conclusion, the House of Tomorrow stands as a testament to the brilliance of William Krisel's midcentury-modern architectural vision, blending innovation with timeless elegance. This property serves as a living piece of architectural history, capturing the essence of an era when design boundaries were pushed, and the future was imagined with every architectural detail.
