Written by Erik Rosenow, past President of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

Palm Springs is THE modernism capital of the world!  That’s the unofficial nickname given to Palm Spring for its high concentration of mid-century homes and buildings.  Tourists flock to this city to appreciate the architecture, potentially taking a private guided architectural tour that are run throughout the year.  Many are lured to purchase a mid-century home in one of Palm Springs famous neighborhoods.  What better way to enjoy a martini than poolside under a sweeping butterfly roof!  

Palm Springs is quite easy to get involved in the mid-century architecture and design scene.  Two prominent organizations, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (PSPF) and the

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The Paul Kaplan Group is excited to participate in a number of events during Modernism Week, in Palm Springs, kicking off on 2-14-19!  The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living as represented in the greater Palm Springs area.  Here's a sampling of where you'll find The Paul Kaplan Group during this exciting 10-day event that celebrates design and architecture, in our beautiful sunny town, Palm Springs:

Modernism Show and Sale

A dynamic collection of 85 premier exhibitors from across the U.S. and Europe presenting and offering for sale rare and beautiful vintage

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Modernism Week Palm Springs - FALL PREVIEW 2018

The Paul Kaplan Group Welcomes Modernism Week fans back to Palm Springs this weekend.

Fall Preview
October 18-21, 2018

Events for Fall Preview are now on sale.

Modernism Week Fall Preview kicks off in Palm Springs, October 18, offering attendees a three-day taste of the annual 11-day festival held in Palm Springs each February. The preview weekend features a number of great activities and events, including double decker bus architectural tours; walking neighborhood tours; lectures and film screenings; cocktail parties; and the weekend-long Modernism Show & Sale held at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Order early for the best available tickets. We’ve rounded up some picks for you to

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Spring Break in Palm Springs has been legendary since the 1960's-  Palm Springs had been a spring break destination for decades, like a Daytona Beach or Cancun for college kids on the West Coast.  Party goers from all over Southern California flocked to the desert, for the  festivities, drinking, dancing, and the proverbial cruising down Palm Canyon Drive in convertables, motorcycles and the backs of trucks, while others wondered the sidewalks in swim suits armed with squirt guns and water balloons.  It was the destination for fun in the sun.

However, things came to a climax in 1986 when the partying got out of hand: a spring break riot erupted that changed Palm Springs.

The Desert Sun reported the history of the riot and released a video that

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The Paul Kaplan Group is a longstanding advocate of Historic Preservation.  We're proud to sponsor the Herbert Burns Weekend, presented by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation.  March 23-24, 2018. Herbert Burns Weekend will recognize one of Palm Springs′ most important modernist architectural designers. The weekend includes an informative lecture, a tour, a closing cocktail reception, and publication of a PSPF tribute journal, The Design of Herbert W. Burns, authored by PSPF board member Steven Keylon. The journal represents the most comprehensive and scholarly overview of Herbert Burns' career to date, and includes hitherto unseen archival material from the Burns family.    Schedule and

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It's almost here!  The Paul Kaplan Group and about 100,000 attendees are getting ready for the biggest festival of its kind , Modernism Week, coming to Palm Springs Feb 15 to 25th.   "The ultimate celebration of mid-century design, architecture and culture."   Tickets sell out months in advance, but don't worry! There's still a ton of things to do, see and enjoy in Palm Springs, for those that procrastinated!!  See some of the highlights below from the Modernism Week events web page:  

Architecture:  

Modernism Showcase Home -  Moroccan Modern
Tour Modernism Week’s first Showcase Home by Thomboy Properties. This is a one of a kind custom-built home from 1975 by architect Hal Lacy recently renovated to modern luxury. While the house is thoroughly

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The Paul Kaplan Group is gearing up for Palm Springs' MODERNISM WEEK 2018

We're just a month away from the Palm Springs Modernism celebrations and the Paul Kaplan Group team is excited about showing off Palm Springs and everything modern!  We're also looking forward  to continuing the annual tradition of the Modernism Yard Sale! Our tradition continues for the 8th year, and PKG will be serving up free donuts while you hunt for vintage treasures at the sale, which is being held on Sunday, February 25, 8am - 12pm at H3K Design Parking Lot -  501 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs 92264. Admission:  FREE!

Some of our favorite events during Modernism Week are:

Preview Party at the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale 

February 16, 2017 |

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Our Favorite Palm Springs Mid-century Listings

At The Paul Kaplan Group, we are monitoring the market throughout the day for new listings, so we can share that info with our clients.  And often, we know of new listings before they even hit the MLS too! 

Click on the photos below, to check out some of our favorite listings in Palm Springs, currently on the market.  Are any of these your dream home?  Please contact us for more info or to help you find your perfect spot in the desert.   The Paul Kaplan Group 760-459-1396.

• 2420 S ALHAMBRA DR
• Palm Springs, CA 92264
• $1,249,000

• 2795 E LIVMOR AVE
• Palm Springs, CA 92262
• $719,000

• 1837 E TACHEVAH DR
• Palm Springs, CA 92262
• $248,976

• 319 WESTLAKE

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One of the most publicized homes in Rancho Mirage, the Kenaston House, just sold by Stephanie Howard of the Paul Kaplan Group of Palm Springs

The Paul Kaplan Group is proud to announce that the iconic Kenaston House in Rancho Mirage has just been sold by the Paul Kaplan Group's Stephanie Howard. 

Designed in 1957 by renowned modernist architect E. Stewart Williams, who also designed Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate in Palm Springs, the Kenaston House features 4,780 square feet of living space in a U-shape around the swimming pool and patio, with four bedrooms, four bathrooms and abundant glass walls and doors. 

The home was commissioned by mining heir Robert Kenaston and his movie star wife, Billie Dove, as a wedding gift for their son

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616 N High Road, Palm Springs, currently listed by The Paul Kaplan Group

The Paul Kaplan Group is grateful for the architects and developers who contributed to the "Desert Modernism" movement in Palm Springs. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Alexander Construction Company built over 2,000 homes in the Palm Springs area, greatly increasing the size of the Palm Springs and bringing modernist design to homebuyers at an affordable price.

The Ocotillo Lodge pool

George Alexander and his son Robert ("Bob") founded the company, which was relocated from Los Angeles to Palm Springs during the 1950s, with their first big project along with business partner Joe Dunas being the construction of the Ocotillo Lodge in 1956, with architects Dan Palmer and William

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