Modern Architecture
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Tour Modernist Icon Albert Frey’s ‘Hidden’ Home in Palm Springs
Walk with us through the architect-designed California home, newly updated and on view recently for 2018 Modernism Week
Swiss-born Albert Frey is no stranger to midcentury modern architecture fans. The architect, who immigrated to America in the 1930s, eventually settled in the desert landscape of Palm Springs, California, and is responsible for a number of iconic modernist homes that are integrated with nature.
Frey was skilled at making homes like Frey House II seemingly disappear into the landscape. But the residence known as Hidden Frey takes this feat one step further. Showcased this month at the 2018 Modernism Week, it is both literally and figuratively hidden, as it sits significantly below street level and is relatively unknown even to Palm Springs architectural historians.
Frey was skilled at making homes like Frey House II seemingly disappear into the landscape. But the residence known as Hidden Frey takes this feat one step further. Showcased this month at the 2018 Modernism Week, it is both literally and figuratively hidden, as it sits significantly below street level and is relatively unknown even to Palm Springs architectural historians.
This photo shows the large retaining wall and pool deck. A level lower are the residential structures and tennis court. Tennis fans can enjoy watching a match from the pool.
As a way to mitigate Farrell’s protest, Hollingsworth envisioned a tennis estate that would be excavated so it would hardly be visible. He hired Frey, who was working on Farrell’s Schiff House at the Racquet Club, as the designer. Frey made additions to the home in 1972 and 1976.
Here is a closer view of the rolled roof and the minimalist desert landscaping.
The residence is accessed through a number of sliding glass doors that face the tennis court. A front door and a conservatory structure, which served as an entryway, were removed during the renovation.
All furniture: Room & Board
All furniture: Room & Board
The property, including a separate casita positioned between the main house and the carport, totals 1,900 square feet.
The master suite sits just off the main living and dining area.
This bedroom featuring a yellow accent wall is one of three master suites on the property. A sliding door leads to a private patio.
Breeze blocks, or architectural screen blocks, in a signature pattern enclose the private patio area.
A narrow hallway connects the communal space to the second of the main structure’s bedrooms.
The house extends lengthwise along the tennis court. Two bedrooms, three baths, the living room and the kitchen are housed in the main structure. Another bed and bath make up the casita.
Find an architect to help with a midcentury-inspired home design
The house extends lengthwise along the tennis court. Two bedrooms, three baths, the living room and the kitchen are housed in the main structure. Another bed and bath make up the casita.
Find an architect to help with a midcentury-inspired home design
Dunn-Edwards paint in Pale Jasper makes a calming focal wall in a second bedroom. Artwork by Shawn Savage hangs above the bed.
A wall was removed to create a kitchen that is entirely open to the main living space.
Color is key in this functional and modern kitchen, where teal tiles pick up a similar hue from the fireplace wall.
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More
Before and After: 4 Renovated Midcentury Gems in Palm Springs
Why We Love Midcentury Modern Design
Learn about other iconic homes
Browse midcentury-inspired furniture
Who lives here: Owners Jackie Thomas and DeeAnn McCoy of Thomboy Properties are expected to put the house up for sale.
Location: Palm Springs, California
Size: 1,900 square feet (177 square meters); three bedrooms, four bathrooms
The house, originally known as the Hollingsworth Tennis Estate, was built in 1966 for WI Hollingsworth, a major developer throughout Southern California in the early 20th century. Hollingsworth bought his Palm Springs lot and wanted to build a tennis estate next to the Racquet Club. Actor and neighbor Charlie Farrell, founder of the Racquet Club, is said to have protested the development because he did not want the eyesore of a chain-link fence (so common to tennis courts) near his Racquet Club.
Palm Springs-based Thomboy Properties purchased the home last year and renovated. In addition to restoring the home’s luster, the company made Hidden Frey a colorful showcase of Frey’s midcentury architecture, stripping down some of the home’s later additions.
The house sits right beside the tennis court and features a rolled roof.