FRANK SINATRA'S DESERT HIDEAWAY - 1970, "Villa Maggio" Modernism Week 2023 tour tickets sold out in 25 minutes, but you can still see an inside preview here:
Sinatra's hit song Lets "Get Away From It All" could be the inspiration for his private, secluded, Mid-Century mountain retreat perched high above Palm Desert. This "James Bond" lair-like compound on approximately 7.5 acres of land encompasses a 5 BR main house w/5.5 BA, a self-sufficient 3 BR w/5 BA guest home, a 1 BR pool house w/2 BA & saunas, a resort-style pool, a large exterior entertaining area w/fire-pit, a lighted tennis court, helipad, & parking for 24 cars. The Surrounding 360-degree sunrise-sunset mountain-valley lights views provide a timeless, surreal backdrop.
One of Sinatra's favorite personal residences, it is mentioned numerous times in Barbara Sinatra's book "Lady Blue Eyes: My Life with Frank". The 6,428 SF interiors have been lovingly renovated to reflect his style & preferences. Isolated yet accessible, the estate is only 20 minutes away from Palm Desert & El Paseo luxury shops & restaurants. Palm Springs International is just 26 miles away, a short jaunt by helicopter.
Resting high above the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert and Palm Springs, Villa Maggio, offers a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own an iconic and treasured estate that Frank Sinatra personally helped design & build. Panoramic views of the mountains & valleys are on full display throughout this secluded and private escape.
Sinatra had a dual purpose in the design of the estate: a desire to escape the oppressive heat of the desert valley below & a need to provide his friends, which included traveling dignitaries, sports stars, elite power players and members of the Rat Pack, with the ultimate in luxury and comfort as well as the utmost in privacy & security.
The 4,300 foot elevation provides a more comfortable and temperate climate than the desert valley below, & the skies are cloudless most days. As a result, the surrounding mountainsides, national monuments and cityscapes are unobstructed and totally magical as a backdrop for the estate.
A masterpiece with a rustic, Mid Century-Lodge style design, the estate features a five bedroom main house with five and a half bathrooms, a guest home with a separate generator, well and water tower, and a pool house that was ahead of its time in its planning, design & execution. Warmed by a massive stone fireplace, the pool house includes two bedrooms & two saunas, a kitchenette and a built-in fire pit with a large zone for entertaining.
With an extensive use of locally-sourced materials, including natural stone and hardwoods, the residence adds beauty to the surrounding environment. Wide overhanging eaves provide shade and reduce the ecological footprint. Hardwood floors, numerous fireplaces, & vaulted ceilings with exposed wood beams give the estate an understated and relaxing, down-to-earth atmosphere; the commercial grade appliances in the main home’s two full kitchens make it more than ready for guests and the demands of modern life.
Recognized as the quintessential entertainer, Sinatra ensured the guest house was on par with the resorts and luxury hotels where his friends were accustomed to staying. The 2-story guest home offers three guest suites, each with a private view deck, stone fireplace, kitchenette, & bathroom. If the walls could talk, a likely topic of conversation would have to be about who traveled in the secret passage between two of the guest house bedrooms.
The same qualities that Sinatra sought to incorporate in the original design still resonate with modern celebrities and power players: ease of access, security, privacy, resort-style amenities for entertaining, & space from the neighbors. Set on a secluded, 7.5 acre lot at the end of a gated, private drive, the estate is located within 20 minutes of the heart of Palm Desert, with its high-end boutique shopping and numerous fine dining options on El Paseo. Palm Springs International Airport is also just 26 miles away, a short jaunt by helicopter.
Pure Sinatra, the grand scope and vision of the estate reflect his focus on ‘doing things his way.’ Affectionately named for a character that earned him an Oscar in From Here to Eternity, Villa Maggio was a personal residence for Sinatra for many years: a treasured retreat that he built with the aim of providing his friends & family with an other-worldly, private escape for fun, relaxation, and of course, epic parties. The character and style of the home have been lovingly preserved and maintained for the next owner to enjoy. With a total of 8 BD, 12.5 BA, & 9 fireplaces, the estate offers something for everyone and an unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of iconic history.
Exclusive Listing Agent: Markus Canter | 310-704-4248
BHHS CA Properties | DRE #01810156
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