THIS SPREAD ; DAVID A LEE
L ocated about 120 miles east of downtown Los Angeles , the mid-century movement from architecture to furniture to clothing to cocktail lounges revived Palm Springs from a tired desert town to one of the coolest international destinations in the US . Many of the iconic mid-century and modernist architects including Albert Frey , Richard Neutra , E . Stewart Williams , John Lautner , William Krisel , A . Quincy Jones , Donald Wexler , Richard Harrison , John Porter Clark and William Cody left an indelible and timeless stamp on this desert oasis .
TWENTY PLUS YEARS OF MID-CENTURY MADNESS The kick-off began as it often does in the real estate market . Starting around 2000 , a plethora of mid-century homes , many in need of TLC and updating , started gaining traction with attention from buyers attracted to the timeless aesthetic architecture that defines the desert indoor-outdoor lifestyle . These buyers were ready to reimagine these homes , many built from the late- ’ 50s through the mid- ’ 60s .
“ MAD MEN ” HELPED THE MID-CENTURY RENAISSANCE Paul Kaplan , Founder / CEO of the Paul Kaplan Group , started his real estate brokerage in 2000 with over 30 agents today and is now a part of Bennion Deville Homes . Kaplan holds a degree in architecture and has long been known as one of the go-to real estate agents for mid-century homes in Palm Springs . He ’ s been working with buyers and sellers of mid-century homes for over two decades . “ What helped the mid-century renaissance was when the television show “ Mad Men ” became such a hit . At that time Palm Springs took off with the appeal and appreciation of mid-century architecture ,” Kaplan recalls . “ Homes were still cheap enough to buy , renovate , and then flip them . They have been continually in-demand since then with prices continuing to escalate through the roof .”
WE World 56 Winter 2022 / 23