1950s Modern Architecture Highlight of Modernism Week


If you're here for Modernism Week, which started today, don't miss out on some of the greatest mid-century modern on the planet.

The bus tours take you from one 1950s modern architecture house to another; however, you can go on your own by driving around, having the opportunity to stop wherever and whenever you want.

If you do go it alone, be sure and drive to:

1. Palm Springs City Hall--right near the airport on Tahquitz Canyon Way, traveling away from the mountain. You'll see the airport at the end of the road. Look on the left. Right before you get to the airport is Palm Springs City Hall, classic 1950s modern architecture.

2. Town and Country Plaza--This classic piece of architectural beauty is a bit hard to find because the back of the building is on Palm Canyon, and the entrance to the building is down a hallway near 166 N. Palm Canyon. Go down the hallway and you'll run into a patch of grass. Walk toward it and you'll see the round building, which used to be the entrance.

3. Caliente Tropics--Add a bit of the Polynesian God, Tiki, to your trip, by stopping by the Caliente Tropics Hotel, located south of downtown on Palm Canyon. If you're driving from downtown it's on the right about a mile south of Ramon. You can't miss the beautiful brown and orange A-frame carport. Simply marvelous.

4. Kaufman House--This house, a classic mid-century modern abode, is in the North end of the city near the Design District (where all the mid-century modern stores are). Coming from downtown from the south, keep driving till you get to Vista Chino. Then make a left. The Kaufman House is up the small hill a bit on the right.

5. Googie Architecture--Just north of Vista Chino on the right side of the street is a liquor store with a dramatic roof that sweeps toward the sky. It's a must-see--a sample of Googie.

6. Chase Bank-- End your tour back downtown at the Chase Bank building (formally Washington Mutual). It's south of Town and Country Plaza near Ramon.

7. Bank of America Building--Across the street and a block south is the Bank of America Building, another classic.

There's much more, including great modernist homes and condos on South Palm Canyon and in the back streets that lie against the mountain adjacent to downtown.

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