3 Ways To Appreciate Mid-century Architecture During Modernism Week

Get ready to step back into the stylish world of mid-century modern design.

Modernism Week returns to Palm Springs October 15-18, and whether you’re coming for the iconic Palm Springs architecture, colorful parties, home tours, or simply the vibe, there’s one thing you’ll want to bring along: comfortable walking shoes. Numerous walking tours are offered where you can leisurely soak in the surrounding environment and bonus: your Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotel might even be featured on the journey. Here are three to consider.

Stars of the Movie Colony: Romantic Palm Springs

Movie Colony Hotel rooms are spacious. Photo courtesy of Movie Colony Hotel

The Movie Colony neighborhood could be considered the backdrop for the development of the Palm Springs we know today — a place where the seeds of Modernism architecture were planted and eventually flourished. The area includes a mix of romantic Spanish and Colonial Revival estates, along with some of Palm Springs’ earliest Modernist homes. Residents included Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, and Roger Moore, many of whom hired Los Angeles architects to design their homes. Architects welcomed the commissions, in part because building regulations were less restrictive. They experimented with walls of glass, innovative uses of metal, and dramatic sloping rooflines.

The Movie Colony Hotel, designed by architect Albert Frey in 1935, welcomed such famous visitors as Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. Today, the adults-only hotel still reflects the history, glamour, and sophistication of Palm Springs’ heyday in the ’50s and ’60s.

Purchase Stars of the Movie Colony: Romantic Palm Springs tickets here.

Inns, Architects and Glamour Tour

Welcome to The Del Marcos Hotel. Photo courtesy of The Del Marcos Hotel

Palm Springs is home to more than 75 boutique hotels (50 rooms or fewer), and it’s easy to see why these fantastic properties were once playgrounds for stars like Joan Crawford and Clark Gable. Today, they attract Leonardo DiCaprio, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah and other celebrities who visit for Palm Springs’ quiet beauty.

The tour will take you past a number of these small hotels, many of them designed by internationally known architects. One is the Del Marcos Hotel, designed by William F. Cody. It was Cody’s first independent commission in Palm Springs. The American Institute of Architects honored him for its use of native stone and asymmetrical roofline, which is now considered a key element of mid-century modern design.

Purchase Inns, Architects and Glamour Tour tickets here.

Celebrity Haven: Unique Boutique Resorts

The Orbit In’s Eames Studio. Photo courtesy of Orbit In

This tour will also take you by several boutique hotels that came to be during the Atomic Age, like Herbert W. Burns’ Orbit In. Burns was the master of the Late Modern design movement, with elements like deep overhangs to protect rooms from the intense Palm Springs afternoon sun. The pool sits at the center of the courtyard, which proved the designer correct: he wanted it to be a gathering place, and it remains so to this day.

The hotel is considered a living museum. Each room features authentic 1950s furniture, including vintage record players. The poolside, boomerang-shaped cocktail bar provides the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring. Another Burns creation is The Hideaway, inspired by the classic motor court and developed at the same time as the Orbit In. Seeing the two properties together shows how Burns and other Los Angeles architects used Palm Springs to experiment with new ideas, incorporating materials such as stone, metal, and glass into their designs.

Purchase Celebrity Haven: Unique Boutique Resorts tickets here.

Don’t forget to book your boutique hotel

The retro pool area at The Hideaway. Photo courtesy of The Hideaway

Before you head out on one of these Palm Springs architecture tours, grab a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. Even in October, our sunshine can be intense, and palm trees don’t offer much shade. Now, it’s time to get planning. After purchasing tickets for one of these informative tours, visit Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels to book your boutique hotel stay.