While it's most known as the place where Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in 1967, the House of Tomorrow in Palm Springs' Vista Las Palmas neighborhood isa marvel for architecture fans all around the world.
Designed in 1960 by architectWilliam Kriselfor Helene and Robert AlexanderofAlexander Construction Company, the home featured a number of gizmos and gadgets of the time, including electronic controls to manipulate the indoor climate, lava rock walls and Jetson's-style furniture. Its architecture is another thing to gawk at: The house design features four living spaces within four 12-sided polygons, or dodecagons.
But as the home changed ownership over six decades, wear and tear,poor upkeep and foreclosure struck. In December 2020,Seattle-based architects and investors Paul Armitstead and Dan Bridge purchased the home and set out to renovate and restore it. During Modernism Week - October, which runs through Sunday, the co-owners welcomed some of the first visitorssince the restoration work was completed— and they gotto see how thepast and present collide.
The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home iscurrently on the marketfor $5.65 million.
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Armitstead said bringing the home back to life was a trying process due to the COVID-19 pandemic and hiccups along the way, but ultimately "it's been a journey on a very positive path."
"In my architectural passion, I've done my own things,but to be able to give this back and hopefully whoever buys it is going to love it, our passion throughout the whole thing was to make the future owners very happy, and the city and public as well," Armitstead said.
Elvis and Priscilla Presleyarrived in Palm Springs in April 1967, where they were supposed to be married, and planned tostayat theHouse of Tomorrow. However, gossip columnist Rona Barrett, who lived next door, announced they were going to marry in the city. The couple thenboarded a plane for Las Vegas earlyon May 1. They then returned to the home for their honeymoon, and used it as their weekend home over the next year.
In an interview with The Desert Sun,Priscilla Presley said she and her husbandhad some "wonderful times" inside the Vista Las Palmas landmark.After Elvis' acclaimed 1968 television special, which later led to his Las Vegas residency, the couple didn't have much time to spend at the home.
Though she hasn't seen the most recent renovation, Presley saidshe had an opportunity to visit the home in the past few years and was shocked to see how closely it aligned withhow she remembered it.
"It was modern back in the day, that was probably the most modern home in Palm Springs," she said."It's still very modern and still very in."
Speaking about the renovation, Presley said she would be curious to see how the living room area would be furnished. She specifically recalled thecustom circular sofaplaced along windows and a rock wall, which she said "suit that wall and everything."
If the former inhibitor stepped inside the home today, she would be pleased to seethe 59-foot white couch still in its spot. Many other original and dramatic features, including the terrazzo floors andceiling-mounted fireplaces, were restored as well.
What was most important toArmitstead and Bridge as they were undergoing the renovation process was to honor the home and its originality as best as they could, while also making itfunctionable for today's society. Thekitchen, for example,features the original geometry and layout, but cabinets and surfaces have been updated. A round island in the middle of the kitchen, with five stovetop burners, was rebuilt.
Krisel "celebrated the circle," saidArmitstead, and round mirrors, light fixtures, knobs, bathroom tiles, tubs and showers andstones can be spotted around the house.
When the co-owners acquired the property, the backyardarea wasovergrown with ficus trees that hung 15 feet above the pool and obstructed views of the nearby mountains and neighboring homes. Since then, the landscape plan was restored as best as possible, now with more drought tolerant landscaping, and the grand views are a sight to take in. The outdoor deck was also replaced because the original flooring wascracked.
A polygon-shaped pool mimics the home's roof.Armitstead said the roof is a single plane that covers the whole home, despite all itsdifferent spaces and shapes, and the fact that the master bedroom is located on the second level.
The spacious and round master bedroomhas grand views of the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood, perfect for romantic honeymooners, or those who were building out the area.
"Every morning, the Alexanders would wake up and they could survey all they were building,"Armitstead said.
Three other bedrooms, one of which was the maid's quarters, have also been modernized.
Even though Elvis and his brideonly stayed in the home for one year, their mark is still felt. Photographs of the couple were on display, as well as a bust of the“King of Rock ‘n’Roll.”
Armitstead said many of the singer's fans have gathered outside the home during the renovation process to admire the home and snag a few pictures, and some worldwide visitors even made it to the Modernism Week event. Designer Jacques Dupuy said he met two women from New Zealand who stopped by for a tourbefore moving onto other Elvis destinations, such as the hotel where he used to have his Las Vegas residency.
For more information about the House of Tomorrow and to purchase tickets, visithttps://go.modtix.com/f/o22/house-of-tomorrow?date=2022-10-14
If you go
What: House of Tomorrow tour
When: Select times available beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where:1350 Ladera Circle, Palm Springs
How much: $65
More information:https://go.modtix.com/f/o22/house-of-tomorrow?date=2022-10-14
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
I'm an architecture enthusiast with a deep understanding of mid-century modern design, particularly in the context of iconic homes. My expertise extends to the House of Tomorrow in Palm Springs' Vista Las Palmas neighborhood, which was designed by architect William Krisel in 1960 for Helene and Robert Alexander. The house, known for hosting Elvis and Priscilla Presley during their honeymoon in 1967, has undergone recent restoration by architects and investors Paul Armitstead and Dan Bridge.
The House of Tomorrow boasts a unique architectural design, featuring four living spaces within four 12-sided polygons. The original design incorporated cutting-edge technology of the time, including electronic climate controls, lava rock walls, and Jetson's-style furniture. The recent restoration aimed to preserve the home's originality while updating it for modern living.
During the renovation process, Armitstead and Bridge paid close attention to honoring the original features, such as the terrazzo floors, ceiling-mounted fireplaces, and a 59-foot white couch. The kitchen maintains its original geometry and layout, with updated cabinets and surfaces. Krisel's affinity for circular elements is evident throughout the house, including round mirrors, light fixtures, knobs, bathroom tiles, tubs, and showers.
The outdoor space underwent significant changes, with overgrown ficus trees replaced by drought-tolerant landscaping, revealing stunning views of the nearby mountains. The polygon-shaped pool mimics the home's roof, adding to its unique charm.
Elvis and Priscilla Presley's brief stay in the House of Tomorrow left a lasting impact, and the renovation process included the display of photographs of the couple and a bust of the "King of Rock ‘n’ Roll." The restoration aimed not only to preserve the architectural gem but also to create a functional space for contemporary living.
The House of Tomorrow is currently on the market for $5.65 million, and visitors had the opportunity to tour the home during Modernism Week in October 2022. The meticulous restoration process, despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, reflects Armitstead and Bridge's commitment to preserving this mid-century modern masterpiece.
For those interested in experiencing the House of Tomorrow firsthand, tours are available at 1350 Ladera Circle, Palm Springs, with tickets priced at $65.
For further details and ticket purchase, you can visit .
For any inquiries or additional information, feel free to contact Ema Sasic, who covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley, at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter .
