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Architecturally Stunning Palm Springs Landmark

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Property Description

Canyon Palms – Originally built in 1985 and recently totally renovated, this two-story, 13,400 square foot desert home was conceived and crafted in a style inspired by the body of work of Frank Lloyd-Wright.

Property Details

Canyon Palms – The Block Mansion


Introduction
Originally built in 1985 and recently totally renovated, this two-story, 13,400 square foot desert home was conceived and crafted in a style inspired by the body of work of Frank Lloyd-Wright. With thousands of board feet of solid oak, redwood and mahogany standing in contrast to the clean lines of hand-painted concrete floors, white carpet and floor to ceiling windows, the organic balance and harmony of these contrasting elements create a warm, inviting backdrop for living, entertaining, reflecting and recreating.

Canyon Palms was originally designed and built by Dr. Charles Block’s father, Charles Robert Block. In 2008 Dr. Block completed an interior and exterior renovation that retains the rich textures and architectural lines embodied in his father’s original design, while adding modern elements to complement and enrich his current lifestyle and interests.

Location
This magnificent home is located in a portion of the Southern California desert which was and always will be totally unique. Situated at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains where three sacred Indian canyons converge, the natural beauty of its environment is protected. Though just moments away from several world-class resort communities, Canyon Palms is the essence of serenity, rebirth and rejuvenation.

History
From its inception, Canyon Palms was designed to be part of its natural environment – the confluence of Palm, Andreas and Murray canyons. Thousands of unspoiled, protected acres form a breathtaking panorama that surrounds this architectural masterpiece. Because Canyon Palms was build on property that was originally immediately adjacent to but not yet incorporated into the City of Palm Springs, there was far greater architectural design freedom than is possible today. As the city grew, it added building constraints that prohibited such bold, individualistic architecture. Consequently, the distinctive physical structure and its rare environment cannot be duplicated. Canyon Palms may very well be the only true two-story private residence on fee land in the city of Palm Springs.

Construction
In constructing Canyon Palms, old-world craftsmanship was valued as highly as state-of-the-art engineering. While the massive steel beams which support the roofs are as sturdy as the mountains beyond, the delicacy and richness of interior finishes were achieved by European masters who worked on site for over five years. Entering Canyon Palms is a breathtaking experience. One is treated to a visual feast of textures and materials. The majesty of this home engulfs guests from the moment the entry gates swing open. Illuminated fountains and cobalt-blue tiled pools flank the approach to the magnificent mahogany and beveled mirrored front door.

Living/Entertaining Area
This marriage of mirror and wood carries on into the main living area, where the walls of the 2,200-square-foot open story living / entertaining / formal dining area present tall clean lines made up of over 8,000 board-feet of triple-layered solid mahogany interspersed with hundreds of feet of layered beveled mirror and two story windows. As a counterpoint to the beautiful woods are the concrete floors – hand painted in flowing earth tones that match the extensive marble accents throughout the house – and the white Berber carpet leading to the sunken living room area. The 22-foot oak and mahogany bar features hand-tooled copper and brass inlays encased in translucent acrylic. The custom fireplace, one of three in the mansion, has at its base a mosaic of more than 6,000 hand-placed stones and marble slabs. The fireplace’s 16-foot hearth with copper inlaid mantel is crowned with a 200-square-foot free-form mahogany-framed frieze and is flanked by massive sculptured columns. The living / entertaining areas can easily accommodate 300 guests for cocktails or upwards of 200 for a sit down luncheon or dinner.

Kitchen
Canyon Palm’s kitchen is the envy of every caterer and chef that has utilized it. The ultimate combination of materials, appliances and spatial relationships, this ergonomically correct environment was designed for economy of motion and visual delight. This expansive kitchen is fully equipped with top of the line Wolf commercial appliances – an oversized standard gas range as well as a convection oven; dual basket deep fryer; gas grill and eye-level broiler; and, 8 gas burners and 4 warmers. Blue pearl and Juparana granite counters and backsplashes crown solid oak cabinets and drawers. Large Sub Zero refrigerator and matching freezer, dishwasher, trash compactor, microwave and toaster oven round out the appliances. A central 6’ x 8’ laminated maple chopping block island sits atop additional custom oak cabinets inlaid with peach beveled mirror. The island includes a second sink and disposal, an ice maker as well as a television and DVD player.

Kitchen storage is a necessity, but at Canyon Palms it is also luxurious. Fifty-four cabinets and drawers have hidden hinges with adjustable tracks and are made of hand polished oak. An 18-foot oak utility hanging bar saves space while creating a beautiful display of pots, pans and every imaginable cooking accessory. Even the waste receptacles are handmade of fine oak. A floor to ceiling in-kitchen pantry supplements the main pantry. The main pantry offers 64 feet of shelf space and 300 cubic feet of storage.

In all, the kitchen contains over 1,000 feet of hand-turned oak molding, and 200 feet of oak-molded, beveled peach mirror and glass. A backlit stained-glass panel fronts the 15-foot stainless steel oven hood with built in commercial fire extinguisher system and industrial strength exhaust fan.

A kitchen banquette with a custom made oak table top inlaid with Juparana granite provides the perfect setting for a casual meal.

Full banquets can be prepared as easily as a gourmet dinner for two, served candlelit in the dining room or at the cozy kitchen banquette. Both kitchen and dining room overlook the backyard patio and entertainment area. The backyard entertaining area features cushioned Teak hardwood tables, chairs, ottomans, and love seat; a lava rock gas fire pit; and lushly landscaped ponds, natural rock waterfalls and streams.

Dining
The focus of the formal dining areas is a custom-designed and built marble inlaid dining room table containing 295 separate hand-cut and hand-fitted pieces of Central American Cocobolo and African Padauk woods.

Guest Suite
Off the living area is a complete guest suite or staff quarters that includes a separate entrance, private kitchen with refrigerator, microwave oven, burners, disposal and granite and maple food preparation surfaces; an adjustable queen size bed with down comforter and fine linens; a full bath with skylight; a 45” TV with DVD player; concealed closet and spacious dresser; and commodious furnishing. The walls of the suite are horizontally paneled with custom-milled 22-foot sand blasted redwood boards, resulting in a beautiful custom-created texture.

Beyond the living area is the art and photographic gallery. Off the gallery lie the master suite, sports court, gym, theater and spacious pool area.

Master Suite – 1st Floor
The 1,100-square-foot master bedroom and bath suite includes walk in closets with over 60 feet of hanging space; a California King pedestal bed with down comforter and 500 TC Egyptian cotton linens; hand-made massive 4-poster bed canopy comprised of over 1000 individually cut and fit mahogany and beveled mirror pieces; a 45” TV and DVD player; 12-channel remote controlled lighting system; remote controlled black-out window coverings in both the bedroom and shower; a huge multi-shower-headed floor to ceiling glassed and windowed shower overlooking the backyard ponds and waterfall; and, an infinity edge Jacuzzi tub.

Theater
Across from the master suite and adjacent to the gallery is a 460-square-foot dedicated theater with a 73” HD TV accompanied by a state of the art 7.1 Dolby sound system. Also on the main level is a nicely equipped gym with exercise bike, wall-mounted universal machine, free weights and Olympic weights, and a Total-Gym ® . Floor to ceiling windows afford a panoramic view of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Recreation Room and Pool Area
Beyond the gallery and the gym are the pool area, recreation room and multifunction sports court. The recreation room is surrounded by 7-foot high windows and sliding glass doors affording magnificent views of the mountains and pool and easy access to the pool and west-end patio, dining and outdoor entertainment area. In the center of the recreation room is a cozy and comfortable sunken conversation pit with a fireplace, 32” HDTV and audio-visual center. The pool area sound system is also controlled from this area. The pool is a 50’ x 25’ cobalt blue tiled, heated, saltwater freeform pool with contiguous 12’ circular Jacuzzi spa that can easily accommodate up to a dozen guests. The pool patio area features a cushioned Indonesian hardwood table with seating for 4; a bistro table with seating for two; a bench; lounges for sunning; 4 burner LP gas grill with side burner; shower; infrared area heater; portable bar; and dedicated sound system with powerful outdoor speakers.

Sports Court
Off of the recreation room is the multifunction sports court. Originally built as a full size (800-square-foot) racquet ball court this area has at various times been repurposed as a photo studio, basketball court, dance studio, and billiard room.

Master Suite – 2nd Floor
Canyon Palms’ second level includes an additional spacious master suite with large picture windows, fireplace, 36” TV and DVD player, and custom mahogany desk, inlaid with Rosa Aurora marble. A fully adjustable California King bed with down comforter and 400 TC fine linens. An archway in the native stone wall leads to the master bath, which features a Jacuzzi, shower, large dressing table, limestone countertops and stained glass.

Immediately outside of this master suite is the sundeck and terrace.
The 2,100-square-foot sun deck features a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the mountains and Indian canyons. Hidden from view above the second-story are 168 photovoltaic solar panels and 210 gallons of solar heated water, providing essentially all the energy and hot water needs of this spectacular desert home.

Library/Study
Across the second story sundeck from the master suite is the library / study guest bedroom and bath. Cantilevered over the pool and Jacuzzi, high above the ground, curved walls of windows with stunning mountain views enhance the room’s peaceful ambience and creates a feeling of being suspended in space, caressed by magnificent beauty – the perfect setting for reflection and study. More than 50 linear feet of 3/8” glass-covered mahogany desk and work surfaces and over 250 feet of redwood and mahogany bookshelves add beauty to this functional area.

Sundeck
The breathtaking panorama, viewed from the second-level sundeck, heralds each day with a wondrous, new painting created of shadow and light dancing across the mountains. Mornings begin gloriously with the sun rising over the foothills. Days end magnificently when the sun sinks behind the San Jacinto Mountains. To the south, the unspoiled Indian canyons; to the north, skies are lit at night by dazzling city lights. Full circle, Canyon Palms’ second-story views are simply unequaled.


SPECIFICATIONS

• Site - 26,000 square-foot corner property, walled and gated site with secured property access from both streets.
• Building – Two stories, 13,400 sf; 1st Floor 8,300 sf; 2nd Floor 4,000 sf; Garage and Storage 1,100 sf.
• 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths.
• 1st Floor – 2,200 sf Living / Entertaining / Dining Area, 1,100 sf Master Suite, 500 sf Kitchen, Guest Suite, Art Gallery, Theater, Gym, Recreation Room, Sports Court.
• 2nd Floor – 850 sf Master Suite, Study, Library, Guest Room, Sundeck.
• Grounds – Pool, Jacuzzi, Ponds, Fire Pit, Waterfalls, Fountains.
• 3 gas fireplaces.
• 3-car garage with utility sink, redwood paneling and epoxy flooring.
• 40 foot long, 1000 square-foot, gated clear area for boat and trailer, RV or additional automobile parking/storage, surrounded by 10-15’ high walls .
• 30 tons of zoned air conditioning – every living area has its own dedicated AC unit.
• 3 high-efficiency evaporative coolers.
• 600 amp main electrical panel and 168 photovoltaic solar panels.
• 400 gallons of hot water storage – three 70 gallon solar heaters, 120 gallon and 50 gallon hot water heaters.
• Central alarm system with battery and communications backup systems.
• 24/7 recording color and infrared video surveillance system.
• High speed cable internet connection and Wi-Fi.

Additional Rate and Deposit Information

3 night minimum High Season
7 night minimum Low Season

Amenities

• Air Condition
• Phone
• Radio
• Washer and Dryer
• TV Cable
• DVD Player
• Fax
• Fishing Near By
• Stove
• Stereo
• Hi-Speed Internet
• Hot Tub
• Fireplace
• King bed
• Queen Bed
• Pool

Rental Rates

USD 2,500.00 to USD 4,500.00 per day
USD 11,950.00 to USD 22,500.00 per week
USD 40,000.00 to USD 60,000.00 per month

Owner Details

Name: Charles Block
Phone: 760 323-7255