A storied legacy precedes the iconic William Holden Estate, located at 1323 S Driftwood Drive. Designed and built by prominent master builder Joseph Pawling, this mid-century modern landmark embodies effortless Palm Springs style and timeless allure.
Set across 4,449 square feet, this classic post-and-beam home encompasses five bedrooms and five and a half baths on one level. Forty-seven panes of glass walls, pivoting doors, and windows provide unparalleled indoor-outdoor living while framing mature palms and desert mountain views.
“Palm Springs loves its midcentury homes, and this is really the pinnacle of that style,” says The Agency’s Aaron Leider, who represents the William Holden Estate. “There’s a really special energy to it. You can feel the history of the house. I’d describe it as peaceful, almost soul-healing.”
Designated a Class 1 Historic Site by the city of Palm Springs in March of 2018, this home, in the prestigious Deepwell Estates neighborhood, is characterized by clean lines and modern comfort and maintains much of its 1950s charm. Inside, custom marble stone-work throughout, tongue and groove ceilings, and wall-to-wall windows open to nearly one acre of lush, private grounds, which present a pristine pool and spa area with incomparable views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
“My favorite thing about the property is the land,” Leider says. “The feeling you get when you’re there, there’s a simplicity to it, and yet a grandeur. It has wonderful intimate spaces, but you also feel the expanse of the grounds.”
Completed in 1956, the estate was later purchased by Academy Award-winning actor William Holden, who owned the property from 1966 until 1977. Holden is best remembered for his roles in Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 17 (for which he won an Oscar in 1954), and The Bridge on the River Kwai. A favorite venue for fashion photo shoots and even music videos, the expansive home is set on a notable one-acre “through-lot” and has also been home to such notables as Stefanie Powers, Audrey Hepburn, and Tippi Hedren.
Most recently, the home was purchased by interior designer Rodrigo Vargas and his partner, Erik Storey, who spent two years thoughtfully renovating the property while remaining true to its original architecture. “Visually, it looks the same as it always did, but with many modern improvements,” Leider explains.
The footprint was left intact, though solid walls were replaced with glass, and the home was comprehensively updated, including the addition of central heating and air conditioning. Original elements like the freestanding fireplace were preserved for their aesthetic value. Additionally, the Historic Site designation protects the four-lot property from future development while also offering owners significant property tax reductions.
Also known as The Barrett Residence after its original owners, George F. and Marcia Barrett, the home is featured in a now sold-out tour during this February’s Palm Springs Modernism Week, honoring the work of The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation.
Brimming with nuance, the William Holden Estate is ideal for the discerning buyer seeking a one-of-one mid-century jewel in the desert. For more information or to schedule a showing, contact Aaron Leider.
