Movie Colony

Nestled against the vibrant east side of downtown Palm Springs, the Movie Colony neighborhood is a testament to luxurious living and historical grandeur. With its expansive estate-sized lots surrounded by mature, towering ficus trees ensuring utmost privacy, this area offers a serene escape within the city. The neighborhood's meandering streets lead you past gated enclaves, hinting at the exclusivity and allure that has attracted Hollywood elites for decades.

 

Adjacent to the prestigious Old Las Palmas, Movie Colony has been a magnet for entertainment moguls and their illustrious circles. The opening of the El Mirador Hotel on New Year's Eve 1928, featuring one of the country's largest pools, marked the beginning of Hollywood's love affair with this desert oasis. Originally designed by Walker & Eisen, the structure now serves as the Desert Regional Medical Center, but the legacy of high-society gatherings and opulent estates continues.

 

Several boutique hotels, like the Colony Palms (renovated in 1936 by designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard) and the Movie Colony Hotel (designed by Albert Frey in 1935), maintain the area's vintage charm. While many residences are hidden from street view, they showcase a rich array of architectural styles, from 1930s Spanish elegance to sleek modern designs. The neighborhood boasts historic homes like Cary Grant's Andalusian-style farmhouse, enhanced by Wallace Neff in the mid-century, and the pavilion-style Abernathy estate by William Cody in 1962. Darryl Zanuck’s 1935 estate epitomizes the good life of the Movie Colony, complete with recreational amenities and lush landscapes. These Class 1 historic sites, along with the homes of icons like Dinah Shore, Jack Benny, Marilyn Monroe, and Al Jolson, reflect the storied past and enduring glamor of the Movie Colony. 

 

The estates here, often featuring expansive grounds with pools, tennis courts, and secluded gardens, provide residents and their guests with unparalleled privacy and luxury. Because of its location in close proximity to the mountains, residents bask in the afternoon sun a bit longer than those in neighborhoods to the west.

 

Beyond the private sanctuaries, residents enjoy vast outdoor spaces and a unique perspective of the mountains. The neighborhood's proximity to downtown Palm Springs means easy access to top-tier restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions, while the walk to Ruth Hardy Park offers a delightful way to enjoy the sun-soaked afternoons. With its stunning array of homes, rich history, and unmatched location, the Movie Colony remains a timeless, A-list destination in Palm Springs.