See an architectural marvel in Palm Springs, next to Bob Hope House, listed at $8.5M
A luxury estate neighboring the famous Bob Hope House in Palm Springs, California, is for sale for $8.499 million — and is architecturally significant in its own right.
The five-bedroom, nine-bath, 7,827-square-foot Round House stands apart from other properties with its sweeping roofline curves, walls of glass and backyard oasis.
The owner Frank E. Dimick designed the residence. He dismantled the former structure and rebuilt from below the ground up, according to the listing agency.
Dimick’s full renovation of the home allowed for all interior walls to be removed, leaving only the roof standing. The interior support was replaced with large steel beams weighing roughly 99 pounds per foot, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.
The transformation created a central sunken living room bordered by a gourmet chef’s kitchen, hidden caterer’s kitchen, dining area, wet bar and billiards area.
The home captures sweeping views of city lights, windmills and mountain ranges.
Jackhammering crews cut into the mountainside to develop a more expansive outdoor living area. The work involved relocating the original swimming pool. Now, the infinity edge pool appears to flow into the canyon below.
The revision created more ground-level interior living space, too.
“It became a different property,” Dimick said in a news release. “It became an ultimate-view property and that’s what I was shooting for. The only house I know that has a better view is the one above, Bob Hope’s.”
Louise Hampton of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is the listing agent.
“No expense was spared in the redesign and build of this home,” Hampton said in a news release. “Its structural significance is even more unique in present day, as the building materials that were used at the time are now valued at three times higher than the amount they were valued at a decade ago.”
The estate is located on 1.45 acres in the secluded Southridge community, which has been home to prominent public figures and celebrities, including Hope, Suzanne Somers and Steve McQueen, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.
The desirable enclave is made up of only 24 homes, many architecturally significant. The Elrod House in on the edge of a hill in Southridge is where scenes from the James Bond movie ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ were filmed.
“Every street and home in the community is surrounded by an exclusive rich history that cannot be replicated anywhere else,” Hampton added. “The estate’s prestigious environment is a bonus to its one-of-a-kind design and view.”
The home sits just below the Bob Hope House, which was designed by famous architect John Lautner in the California Modernist style. The volcano shape of the house and the crater-like skylight opening over the house makes it a masterpiece.
At the Round House, automated glass panels on the main floor living areas completely retract for seamless indoor-outdoor living and to emphasize panoramic views of the desert landscape and valley.
The main level also features a 10-person theater room, private office, two powder rooms and a pool bath.
The second level of the home is accessed by either a dramatic curved staircase or indoor elevator. All ensuite bedrooms upstairs come with views of the valley. The oversized primary retreat offers a fireplace, two adjoining baths with sunken tubs, one with a steam shower and private massage room, a circular walk-in closet and amazing views from the private balcony.
Of the four remaining guest suites, one could serve as a second primary — by its size, private fireplace and balcony with comparable views.
There are two outdoor kitchens, several entertainment areas and a serene waterfall. Water flows along the patio seating area near two fire pits. Two fire bowls are affixed at the infinity edge of the pool, as well.
