A Palm Springs Midcentury With Hollywood Ties Seeks $4.5M

In addition to vintage terrazzo finishes, the 1961 Morse Residence features a sunken living room that opens to a backyard pool with a swim-up bar.

Jun 24, 2021 - 00:00

A Palm Springs Midcentury With Hollywood Ties Seeks $4.5M

In addition to vintage terrazzo finishes, the 1961 Morse Residence features a sunken living room that opens to a backyard pool with a swim-up bar.

A glamorous midcentury home is now up for grabs in Palm Springs’s Vista Las Palmas neighborhood. In 1961, Los Angeles couple Claire and Teddy Morse commissioned renowned architects Dan Palmer and William Krisel and the Alexander Construction Company to design and build the desert home. Once construction was underway, however, the couple brought in famed architect Harold "Hal" Levitt to completely redesign the space—with an emphasis on memorable entertaining.

Sunken living room — The 1960s dwelling boasts a free-flowing layout designed for entertaining. The primary living spaces are centered around large glass pocket doors that open to the backyard pool area.
Photo by Kelly Peak

In addition to receiving acclaim for designing the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, the famed architect was also known for his work with Hollywood’s elite. "Levitt took his talent for designing party homes in Beverly Hills and brought it to the desert for a very demanding client," says Joan Gand, who currently owns the property with her partner, Gary. "Claire wanted to be able to walk into the pool without going outside, so Levitt integrated stairs from the sunken living room directly to the pool," Joan continues.

Pool access from Living room — The 3,711-square-foot home offers an ideal setting for large- and small-scale gatherings. "We’ve had 150 of our closest friends over for a New Year’s Day pajama party every year, with only a few people ending up in the pool after too many mimosas," jokes Gary, one of the current owners.
Photo by Kelly Peak

In addition to designing an unparalleled indoor/outdoor connection throughout the home, Levitt also layered the Vista Las Palmas residence with sleek details to enhance its grand flair, including vintage white terrazzo surfaces and stone walls.