A remarkable piece of architectural history has emerged on the Palm Springs real estate market: the final home design by legendary modernist architect Donald Wexler. This newly completed residence in the exclusive gated Desert Palisades community represents the swan song of Wexler's illustrious career, carrying a price tag of $6.6 million. The property stands as the last creation from the man who helped define desert modernism and earned the nickname "Man of Steel" for his pioneering use of metal and glass in mid-century residential design.
The journey to bring this architectural gem to life began over a decade ago when Wexler came out of retirement in 2010 for one final project. Collaborating with architect Lance O'Donnell, Wexler sketched the initial design in 2011. However, construction was delayed for years, and Wexler passed away in 2015 at the age of 89 before he could see his final vision realized. Despite this setback, the project remained faithful to his original architectural concept, ensuring that his legacy would be properly honored.
The compelling backstory behind this home adds another layer of significance to the property. According to Sunset magazine, East Coast homeowner Marnie McBryde first fell in love with Wexler's distinctive style after touring Dinah Shore's Wexler-designed Palm Springs retreat. Captivated by his clean-lined, sun-soaked aesthetic, McBryde initially commissioned Wexler to design a home for her in the Hamptons, but that project never came to fruition. Years later, she decided to bring those original plans back to Palm Springs, where she found the perfect lot in Desert Palisades - a dramatic hillside location surrounded by natural boulders and offering spectacular mountain views.
The architectural design showcases Wexler's mastery of desert modernism through its seamless integration with the natural landscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide breathtaking vistas from virtually every room in the house, including all four bedrooms and the media room. The home's design emphasizes the quintessential California indoor-outdoor lifestyle through carefully planned pocket gardens and shaded terraces that create an effortless flow between interior and exterior spaces. The swimming pool and expansive decks are strategically positioned to maximize the sweeping desert panorama that surrounds the property.
Inside the residence, the open-plan great room serves as the heart of the home, featuring a sleek contemporary fireplace, built-in seating areas, and a dining space that seamlessly extends onto the outdoor terrace. The primary suite claims the most spectacular city views in the house, though the guest bedrooms also offer impressive vistas. The home incorporates cutting-edge technology and sustainable features, including comprehensive smart-home systems, solar power with battery backup, and high-efficiency Lennox air conditioning units that ensure both comfort and environmental responsibility.
Every detail of the home reflects meticulous attention to quality and craftsmanship. The property features premium Duravit fixtures throughout the bathrooms, a complete suite of high-end JennAir appliances in the kitchen, elegant Emtek hardware on doors and cabinets, sophisticated Visual Comfort lighting systems, custom California Closets storage solutions, and durable Trex decking for the outdoor areas. These carefully selected elements combine to create a living environment that sets new standards for luxury desert living.
Marc Sanders of Compass, the listing agent for the property, emphasizes the unique significance of this architectural achievement. "This is a one-of-a-kind contemporary design by famed desert modernist architect Donald Wexler," Sanders explains. "Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the epic desert views, decks allow for effortless outdoor entertaining, and every detail sets a new standard for living well in the desert." The agent's comments underscore the rarity and importance of owning what may be considered Wexler's architectural farewell to the world.
For architecture enthusiasts and collectors of significant modernist homes, this property represents an unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of design history. In Palm Springs, where modernist architectural gems are highly prized and serve as valuable cultural currency, discovering an original Donald Wexler design is always considered a major find. However, acquiring his final work - the last design from an architect who fundamentally shaped the aesthetic of desert modernism - represents something far more extraordinary and historically significant for the architectural community and design aficionados alike.
