Loretta Young’s Palm Springs Home

By Kimberly Ridley

Hollywood legend Loretta Young’s storied career spanned seven decades and included an Oscar, two Golden Globes, three Emmys, and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The glamorous star got her start at only three years old in silent films before seamlessly transitioning to the world of talkies, then later to the new medium of television. The star of over 100 films, she is best known for The Farmer's Daughter and Come to the Stable. Her pioneering The Loretta Young Show was one of TV’s first dramatic anthologies. Married three times, she had a highly publicised affair with Spencer Tracy, and a secret love child with Clark Gable, her costar on 1935’s The Call of the Wild. A devoted Catholic, she was known for her extensive charity work with the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. She performed her last role in 1989 and passed away in 2000. 

Loretta’s former Palm Springs retreat is as glamorous and iconic as the star herself. Listed for $2.449 million, the 3,510-square-foot architectural gem was designed by Charles W. Doty, blending classic mid-century modern style with Old Hollywood charm. The mansion’s innovative curvilinear design is a total showstopper, with gracefully curved walls, unique round rooms, and dramatic circular terraces. At the home’s center is a one-of-a-kind living room with fourteen-foot ceilings inspired by Japanese origami, wraparound glass walls, terrazzo flooring, and a suspended fireplace. The tranquil primary suite is a private sanctuary that opens onto a cascading waterfall and open-air shower. 

Enter through the grand circular driveway surrounded by mature palm trees, koi ponds, and gardens, traverse the generous open floor plan, and step through the glass doors into a backyard oasis complete with curved pool, fire pit, and lovely gardens featuring citrus, fig, guava, and plumeria trees. The two-car garage and ample additional parking are perfect for the collector. The 15,245-square-foot corner lot faces south for optimum natural light, golden hour sunsets, and epic mountain vistas. Privacy hedges surround the property for ultimate security and tranquility. 

The trophy home is nestled in the coveted Deepwell neighborhood, an enclave of celebrity history and stunning mid-century moderns, including standouts by renowned architects E. Stewart Williams, Lapham, and Wexler-Harrison. Named for a literal deep well that brought water to the Coachella Valley, it has attracted Hollywood stars looking for a desert retreat since the days of silent films. One of Palm Springs' oldest neighborhoods, it has been home to such luminaries as William Holden, Eva Gabor, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Lewis, Carmen Miranda, and even hot dog magnate Oscar Mayer. The home is only minutes from Downtown Palm Springs with superb shopping, dining, art galleries, and museums. A short drive takes you to Escena Golf Club, Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort, and the Tahquitz Canyon hiking area. 

The listing is held by Alex Lombardo at Compass. 

Source: www.compass.com