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Two rustic homes for sale in Palm Springs, CA, were designed by an overlooked maestro of 1920s organic architecture.
Set on a hill above a desert filled with midcentury modern homes, this duo of dwellings is part of the Hopi Village group of rock residences built by R. Lee Miller. There are four of these homes.
Miller is a bit elusive, like the homes themselves. Born in 1887 in Texas, he served in World War I and trained in civil engineering and carpentry. He built several classic homes in Palm Springs, but these homes were their own mysterious project.
Miller built the four homes on 20 acres of hillside that he owned—inspired in part by Hopi and Navajo homes—and lived in one of the homes for many years himself.
One is available for $749,000 the other for $699,000. Both have had recent $50,000 price reductions.
Because the homes have been designated as historic, they are eligible for the Mills Act, explains listing agent Nyla Patzner, with Desert Sotheby’s International Realtor.
The Mills Act, according to California’s Office of Historic Preservations, is “the single most important economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings by private property owners. The Mills Act Program is administered and implemented by local governments. Mills Act contracts are between the property owner and the local government granting the tax abatement.”
Despite the homes’ historic status and several price cuts, both have been on the market since 2022.
“Both properties have been owned by the same gentleman for 45 years, David Levy,” says Patzner. “He was an architect himself. He passed away, and his family has inherited these homes.”
A rustic, handcrafted interior
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Handcrafted beams and plenty of space
Blake Daryaie / One Point Media Group
The exterior at 2501 S. Araby
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Nature, all around
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Set within the mountainside
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The exterior at 2550 S. Araby
Blake Daryaie / One Point Media Group
Details on 2550 S. Araby
This two-bedroom, three-bathroom, 1,311-square-foot home is perched on a half-acre lot. Completed in 1929, it sits above Araby Cove with sublime views of the desert.
The home has two cozy fireplaces, one with an original stove pipe. All of the detailing is exquisite: handcrafted doors, windows, and shelves; ironwork on the door latches; ceiling beams; and handmade fireplace tools. It even features a secret room hidden behind a bookcase.
The roof was redone in August 2022. There’s also a completely detached structure previously used as a garage and an artist’s studio. The space includes a full bathroom.
“This is the larger home, and comes with a small casita that can be used as a guesthouse,” Patzner notes. “This home is affectionately known as Casa Contenta, a name given by one of the original owners, Perle Wheeler Martin. Owners over the last 100 years have used the rooftops as outdoor living space, sleeping out under the stars and even cooking their meals up on the roof. There is very little light pollution—making for stunning stargazing.”
Details on 2501 S. Araby
This two-bedroom, one-bath home has 952 square feet and sits on a 3.33-acre lot. Completed in 1930, it also offers amazing desert views—plus solitude thanks to the acreage.
All of the details—doors, windows, and shelves—are handcrafted.
The land would be “an ideal area to irrigate and grow citrus or dates trees,” Patzner says. “It is the smaller of the two homes and charming and cozy with two fireplaces.”
It should be noted that both properties are accessible only via a private road with restricted access.
“The Araby neighborhood is known for being private, artistic, and peaceful,” Patzner says. For a buyer who seeks a residence outside the desert norm, this duo offers intriguing possibilities.
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