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Tour the House of Tomorrow and Elvis Presley’s Honeymoon Hideaway
The recently renovated Palm Springs home returns to glory with spectacular geometry and indoor-outdoor connections
The House of Tomorrow hovers over the cul-de-sac it’s located on in Palm Springs, California, like a stealth aircraft. In a town of low-slung midcentury houses with few windows facing the street, it has a startling presence: The front of the house has wraparound windows and cantilevers over a stone wall a full floor above the ground. Visitors climb a meandering series of pebbled concrete disks over a waterfall and stream to reach the front door.
There was nothing like the home in Palm Springs when it was completed in 1960. The design also stands apart from the more modest tract houses that the home’s architect, William Krisel, and client Robert Alexander of Alexander Construction collaborated on in the desert and upon which they built their reputations. Recently, after years of neglect, the house underwent a 21-month restoration that returned it to its original glory in time to be celebrated during this year’s Modernism Week, a festival of modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture.
There was nothing like the home in Palm Springs when it was completed in 1960. The design also stands apart from the more modest tract houses that the home’s architect, William Krisel, and client Robert Alexander of Alexander Construction collaborated on in the desert and upon which they built their reputations. Recently, after years of neglect, the house underwent a 21-month restoration that returned it to its original glory in time to be celebrated during this year’s Modernism Week, a festival of modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture.
Cascading steps and a waterfall lead to the home’s entrance.
The house gained further fame when Elvis and Priscilla Presley celebrated their honeymoon there in 1967, and the house came to be known as the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway.
It went through several owners until a bank repossessed it in 1987. The next owner turned the house into an Elvis museum, with garish displays of memorabilia, including a life-size Elvis cutout. The house could be rented for functions and was even available to honeymooning couples.
The house gained further fame when Elvis and Priscilla Presley celebrated their honeymoon there in 1967, and the house came to be known as the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway.
It went through several owners until a bank repossessed it in 1987. The next owner turned the house into an Elvis museum, with garish displays of memorabilia, including a life-size Elvis cutout. The house could be rented for functions and was even available to honeymooning couples.
The restored living room. The restoration involved replacing the home’s 69 original windows, including the angled transom windows just below the ceiling.
The Home’s New Life
Dan Bridge, a developer and retired rabbi, purchased the house in 2020 for $2.6 million. Bridge teamed up with architect Paul Armitstead to return the house to close to its original condition. The pair are experienced renovators, having completed projects in both Palm Springs and the Seattle area, where they live. (They are former brothers-in-law.) Together, they hoped to restore the House of Tomorrow to “a living, breathing thing,” Bridge said.
When Bridge purchased the home, it had been neglected and was in poor condition. He and Armitstead contacted the Getty Research Institute archives, where Krisel’s papers are preserved, to get the original architectural drawings for the house. They wanted to better understand and respect the original design intent.
The renovation was a work of passion for the duo. The process included the usual hiccups, including the city halting construction while it evaluated the historic merit of the house. Ultimately, it was determined to be a Class 1 Historic Site, which required returning the home’s exterior to close to its original appearance. Interior finishes in the house were almost entirely replaced with updated equivalents. The color palette stayed largely in line with the original.
In reviewing the original plans, it was determined that an unpermitted bedroom had been added to the rear of the house, and the team agreed to remove it and restore the original symmetry to the composition. The exterior pool and paved areas had been undermined by tree roots and had to be completely rebuilt, including adding new underground utility services. Inside, all the mechanical and electrical systems were replaced.
Sixty-nine original windows were swapped out for energy-efficient double-glazed versions. Replacing the transom windows was particularly challenging, as they were angled to meet the slope of the ceiling. The team went to great lengths to match the original design, recessing the tops of the windows into the plaster ceiling to maintain continuity from inside to out.
The Home’s New Life
Dan Bridge, a developer and retired rabbi, purchased the house in 2020 for $2.6 million. Bridge teamed up with architect Paul Armitstead to return the house to close to its original condition. The pair are experienced renovators, having completed projects in both Palm Springs and the Seattle area, where they live. (They are former brothers-in-law.) Together, they hoped to restore the House of Tomorrow to “a living, breathing thing,” Bridge said.
When Bridge purchased the home, it had been neglected and was in poor condition. He and Armitstead contacted the Getty Research Institute archives, where Krisel’s papers are preserved, to get the original architectural drawings for the house. They wanted to better understand and respect the original design intent.
The renovation was a work of passion for the duo. The process included the usual hiccups, including the city halting construction while it evaluated the historic merit of the house. Ultimately, it was determined to be a Class 1 Historic Site, which required returning the home’s exterior to close to its original appearance. Interior finishes in the house were almost entirely replaced with updated equivalents. The color palette stayed largely in line with the original.
In reviewing the original plans, it was determined that an unpermitted bedroom had been added to the rear of the house, and the team agreed to remove it and restore the original symmetry to the composition. The exterior pool and paved areas had been undermined by tree roots and had to be completely rebuilt, including adding new underground utility services. Inside, all the mechanical and electrical systems were replaced.
Sixty-nine original windows were swapped out for energy-efficient double-glazed versions. Replacing the transom windows was particularly challenging, as they were angled to meet the slope of the ceiling. The team went to great lengths to match the original design, recessing the tops of the windows into the plaster ceiling to maintain continuity from inside to out.
The renovation removed garage doors that had been added, revealing a triangular carport, accentuated by the black floor finish.
At some point, the triangle-shaped carport had been enclosed with garage doors. These were removed to reveal a unique triangular space.
Original Vision for the House
Original owners Bob and Helene Alexander were local celebrities — not only because Bob was an innovative developer, but also because they were benefactors of local charities, with a reputation for throwing parties.
When they decided to purchase land and build a new house for themselves befitting this lifestyle, they turned to their trusted design partner, William Krisel. Krisel had designed more than 1,200 midcentury modern houses for Alexander Homes, the development company owned by Bob Alexander and his father, George. Their subdivisions had doubled the size of Palm Springs and made them famous.
At some point, the triangle-shaped carport had been enclosed with garage doors. These were removed to reveal a unique triangular space.
Original Vision for the House
Original owners Bob and Helene Alexander were local celebrities — not only because Bob was an innovative developer, but also because they were benefactors of local charities, with a reputation for throwing parties.
When they decided to purchase land and build a new house for themselves befitting this lifestyle, they turned to their trusted design partner, William Krisel. Krisel had designed more than 1,200 midcentury modern houses for Alexander Homes, the development company owned by Bob Alexander and his father, George. Their subdivisions had doubled the size of Palm Springs and made them famous.
The terrace was the setting for the Alexanders’ parties, and the restored space is seamlessly connected to the house via sliding glass doors. A triangular cutout in the overhanging roof brings light into the home while giving the exterior space a sense of enclosure.
The dramatic design was commensurate with the Alexanders’ stature in town, and the home was meant to accommodate their frequent entertaining. Living and dining areas connected seamlessly to the outdoor terraces to fully embrace Palm Springs’ winter warmth and views of the San Jacinto Mountains. The house was also carefully organized to protect the family’s privacy, with bedrooms located well away from the party spaces.
While architect Krisel built his reputation on tract-style housing, his custom designs are remarkably inventive, particularly in his use of geometry. (Krisel was also a landscape architect and had studied with the renowned midcentury landscape architect Garrett Eckbo.)
Over the five years that the Alexanders lived here, the house became a center of the Palm Springs social scene. Maybe the best evidence of the Alexanders’ hospitality was the custom cocktail glasses they had engraved with the names of frequent guests.
William Krisel’s Twin Palms: A Modern American Dream
The dramatic design was commensurate with the Alexanders’ stature in town, and the home was meant to accommodate their frequent entertaining. Living and dining areas connected seamlessly to the outdoor terraces to fully embrace Palm Springs’ winter warmth and views of the San Jacinto Mountains. The house was also carefully organized to protect the family’s privacy, with bedrooms located well away from the party spaces.
While architect Krisel built his reputation on tract-style housing, his custom designs are remarkably inventive, particularly in his use of geometry. (Krisel was also a landscape architect and had studied with the renowned midcentury landscape architect Garrett Eckbo.)
Over the five years that the Alexanders lived here, the house became a center of the Palm Springs social scene. Maybe the best evidence of the Alexanders’ hospitality was the custom cocktail glasses they had engraved with the names of frequent guests.
William Krisel’s Twin Palms: A Modern American Dream
The public living and dining “pod” is seen in orange and the more private pods (family room, bedrooms and bathrooms) in red. The primary bedroom pod at the front of the house is on the right next to the home’s entryway. Tucked between these pods are the secondary spaces of the house, including the kitchen, entry, hallways and storage, colored in light gray.
Pods for Living
Enamored with circles when it came to design — but usually relegated to rectangular shapes for economy — Krisel was ready to break out of the box in creating the Alexander house. The 4,600-square-foot home features four “pods,” each 32 feet in diameter.
Each pod is a dodecagon (a 12-sided shape) containing a distinct function for the house. Highlighting its different use, each is set at a different floor height. Tucked between the pods are the secondary spaces of the house, including the kitchen, entry, hallways and storage. Topping off the composition, a wing-like roof seems to float over the meandering floor plan.
Pods for Living
Enamored with circles when it came to design — but usually relegated to rectangular shapes for economy — Krisel was ready to break out of the box in creating the Alexander house. The 4,600-square-foot home features four “pods,” each 32 feet in diameter.
Each pod is a dodecagon (a 12-sided shape) containing a distinct function for the house. Highlighting its different use, each is set at a different floor height. Tucked between the pods are the secondary spaces of the house, including the kitchen, entry, hallways and storage. Topping off the composition, a wing-like roof seems to float over the meandering floor plan.
The private family room pod features a stone wall that extends to the garden.
The primary bedroom pod cantilevers over the street below. Krisel carefully located the windowsills high enough to ensure privacy.
Working from one of Krisel’s early site layout plans, the author has overlaid the underlying geometry forming the basis for the design. The center point of the composition is the exact center of the primary bedroom pod. Orange lines radiate from there to form a hexagon, the points of which locate the centers of the three remaining pods, diagrammed in red.
A Lesson in Geometry
At first glance, the home’s floor plan looks somewhat whimsical — particularly in context with the asymmetric layout of the property. But in fact, the design of the house and garden are based on rigorous geometry. Every feature of the house and landscape is based on a geometric pattern created by Krisel. The overall geometry that helps organize the composition lends a sense of calm to the experience of being in the house.
A Lesson in Geometry
At first glance, the home’s floor plan looks somewhat whimsical — particularly in context with the asymmetric layout of the property. But in fact, the design of the house and garden are based on rigorous geometry. Every feature of the house and landscape is based on a geometric pattern created by Krisel. The overall geometry that helps organize the composition lends a sense of calm to the experience of being in the house.
A round, freestanding fireplace is located at the center point of the living room, with a cone-shaped hood that extends to the ceiling. An astounding 65-foot-long banquette seat wraps the stone perimeter wall of the room.
The original concept for the circular kitchen island was respected in the renovation. New gas burners replaced the original electric burners, and a new limestone countertop was added. The funnel-shaped hood was refinished in gray paint.
Krisel’s landscape design provides a hint of the unique geometry to be discovered in the home’s floor plan. A series of concrete disks with a smooth pebble finish leads to the front door, behind a 10-foot-high stone wall. Photo courtesy of Modernism Week/Badley Krisel
Integration of House and Landscape
The site on which the Alexanders built their new house put Krisel’s skills as architect and landscape architect to the test. The steeply pitched lot at the end of a cul-de-sac meant the first floor would be a full level above the street.
To ease the journey up, Krisel designed the circular pebbled concrete steps that wind back and forth over a cascading water feature and through a dramatic gate in the stone wall to reach the front door.
Integration of House and Landscape
The site on which the Alexanders built their new house put Krisel’s skills as architect and landscape architect to the test. The steeply pitched lot at the end of a cul-de-sac meant the first floor would be a full level above the street.
To ease the journey up, Krisel designed the circular pebbled concrete steps that wind back and forth over a cascading water feature and through a dramatic gate in the stone wall to reach the front door.
A close-up view of the cascading steps over water
Green lines indicate axes that define the layout of landscape elements. The home and landscape are an integrated composition.
Geometry Extends to the Landscape
Krisel designed the entry sequence to the house so the view of the mountains is initially withheld. Only once inside the living room does the visitor gain a view of the landscaped garden and pool overlooking the San Jacintos.
The geometric alignments of the interior extend to the exterior, reinforcing the continuity between the two. The pool and its surrounding terraces are also derived from lines radiating from the centers of the pods.
Geometry Extends to the Landscape
Krisel designed the entry sequence to the house so the view of the mountains is initially withheld. Only once inside the living room does the visitor gain a view of the landscaped garden and pool overlooking the San Jacintos.
The geometric alignments of the interior extend to the exterior, reinforcing the continuity between the two. The pool and its surrounding terraces are also derived from lines radiating from the centers of the pods.
Krisel’s design makes a literal indoor-outdoor connection with these terrazzo steps that extend from the living room to the garden.
The mountains are on full display from the pool.
Historic marker at the entry to the House of Tomorrow
The historic marker placed at the property’s entry is a fitting reminder of the home’s rich history. It announces in bold letters the original owners of the “House of Tomorrow,” Robert and Helene Alexander; names William Krisel as the architect of the original 1960 house; notes its 2022 renovation and historic status; and finally, in small print, identifies the house as “Elvis’ Honeymoon Home.”
The historic marker placed at the property’s entry is a fitting reminder of the home’s rich history. It announces in bold letters the original owners of the “House of Tomorrow,” Robert and Helene Alexander; names William Krisel as the architect of the original 1960 house; notes its 2022 renovation and historic status; and finally, in small print, identifies the house as “Elvis’ Honeymoon Home.”
Sketch of the House of Tomorrow by Colin Flavin
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See other iconic historic homes
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House of Tomorrow and Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway
The house has had a colorful history over the past 63 years. Krisel designed it to be Robert and Helene Alexander’s dream home. Two years after it was completed, the house was featured in an eight-page spread in Look magazine titled “The Way Out Way of Life,” in which it was referred to as the House of Tomorrow for its futuristic design and state-of-the-art systems.
Five years after the Alexanders moved in, tragedy struck. They, along with Bob’s parents, were killed when their chartered plane crashed soon after takeoff from the Palm Springs airport. Family members rented out and later sold the house.