Old Las Palmas, Vista Las Palmas and Old Tuscany Communities
Vista Las Palmas
Originally developed beginning in 1958, Vista Las Palmas achieved immediate cachet by being built just west of one of Palm Springs' classic Old Las Palmas neighborhood. Once called the Beverly Hills of Palm Springs, the neighborhood was a favorite of Rat Pack members, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra as well as Hollywood notables Jackie Cooper, Cyd Charisse, and George Hamilton. Sidney Sheldon and Harold Robbins offered the neighborhood some literary weight too. The neighborhood consists of around 375 houses with many examples of Mid-Century architecture built by the Alexander Company and designed by Dan Palmer and William Krisel as well as other notable architects such Hal Levitt. More abundant in this neighborhood than perhaps any other in Palm Spring is the popular A-frame or "Swiss Miss" homes most of which were designed by Charles Dubois. Vista Las Palmas is close to downtown a short 15-minute walk during the cooler months of Winter and Spring yet offers an exclusive and private feel due to its lack of streetlights, through traffic, and buried utility lines. Its proximity to the base of the San Jacinto Mountains keeps it sheltered from much of the wind and means a quicker escape from the late afternoon sun during warmer months.
Vista Las Palmas
Old Las Palmas
Formerly a citrus grove, the land was acquired, subdivided and developed in the mid 1920's by Prescott Stevens. Today, Old Las Palmas boasts the largest number of former (and current) celebrity homes in Palm Springs. The curvilinear street layout was inspired by the work of Frederick Law Olmsted. Allah Hicks was one of the first builders in the area. Within Old Las Palmas, there are approximately 290 homes, three apartment buildings, 22 commercial properties, one church and a Jewish Community Center. Old Las Palmas is tucked behind the Uptown Design District, home to many Mid-Century Modern home furnishing and design shops and numerous local favorite eateries and watering holes. The list of celebrities who have lived in Old Las Palmas spans the decades from Palm Springs' Old Hollywood retreat origins to the stars of today, including Dinah Shore, Lucille Ball & Desi Arnez, Elizabeth Taylor, Liberace, Red Skelton, Donna Reed, Debbie Reynolds, Kirk Douglas, William Powell, Alan Ladd, Lena Horne, Jack Warner, Samuel Goldwyn, Edward G. Robinson, Clarke Gable, Gene Autry, Jack Warner and many others. Currently, Leonardo DiCaprio calls this neighborhood home from time to time being a home owner and part-time resident at the former Dinah Shore Estate. Old Las Palmas has always been recognized as one of the premier neighborhoods of Palm Springs. The estate-sized lots make for large homes, grand entertaining yards and additional property structures, some of which have been completely renovated and remodeled while others have been painstakingly maintained to their original footprints and floorplans.
Old Las Palmas
Little Tuscany
Elevated vistas that feature incredible views of the valley floor are the hallmark of the Little Tuscany neighborhood, named by Palm Spring's builder Alvah Hicks in 1934. Hicks constructed the first seven homes in the neighborhood in the hillside inspired by recent travels to Tuscany, Italy. Since its construction this lofty neighborhood has been a hotbed of experimental residential architecture and design from Mid-Century architects such as Richard Neutra, Edward Fickett and E. Stewart Williams, followed almost two decades later by Craig Elwood, Michael Black and James Naughton to modern day architects of New Century design like Ana Escalante. One of Palm Spring's earliest neighborhoods, Little Tuscany offers a delightful combination of innovative architecture amid a natural, rustic setting with views flavors from our City's past and visions of its future.
