Real Estate

Before Mid-Century, These Houses Rocked Palm Springs: Available For $1.5M

Welcome to Casa Contenta, an Araby Rock House, part of Hopi Village With native stone walls that "rise organically from the mountain."

Casa Contenta is one of the city’s earliest surviving architectural originals — a 1929 stone cottage hand-built by self-taught engineer-builder R. Lee Miller as part of his mystical “Hopi Village.”
Casa Contenta is one of the city’s earliest surviving architectural originals — a 1929 stone cottage hand-built by self-taught engineer-builder R. Lee Miller as part of his mystical “Hopi Village.” (Photographer © HAUSPIX.COM by clarkandvalentine, with permission.)

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A historic stone home in Palm Springs’ Araby Cove neighborhood has been listed for $1.5 million, according to realtors.

The property at 2550 S. Araby Drive was built in 1929 and is designated as a Class One Historic Landmark by the city of Palm Springs. The home sits on about 0.45 acres above the desired Araby Cove area that has no shortage on the romance of Palm Springs living.

Jason Cochran & Craig Chorpenning (Desert Sotheby's International Realty) Photographer © HAUSPIX.COM by clarkandvalentine

The property includes a main residence and two detached studio casitas. In total, the structures include three bedrooms and four bathrooms and about 1,600 square feet of living space, according to Jason Cochran and Craig Chorpenning of Desert Sotheby's International Realty.

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Jason Cochran & Craig Chorpenning (Desert Sotheby's International Realty) Photographer © HAUSPIX.COM by clarkandvalentine.

Araby Cove is arguably one of Palm Springs’ best-kept secrets, according to realtors. This is one of the city’s earliest 1920s hillside subdivisions an eclectic architectural mix of rock cottages, Spanish homes, and midcentury residences.

Jason Cochran & Craig Chorpenning (Desert Sotheby's International Realty) Photographer © HAUSPIX.COM by clarkandvalentine

The main residence includes one bedroom and two bathrooms. Each casita includes a private bathroom and separate entrance.

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Interior features include stone walls, exposed wood beams, carved doors and fireplaces. The home also includes a concealed room located behind a bookcase.

Jason Cochran & Craig Chorpenning (Desert Sotheby's International Realty) Photographer © HAUSPIX.COM by clarkandvalentine

"A hidden room concealed behind a bookcase adds intrigue, and a deeply personal historical detail remains etched into the stone, as the original owner, Perle Martin Wheeler, carved her name into a nook in 1931," according to the listing.

According to the realtor, to honor the home's architectural legacy, the current owners, who acquired the property in late 2024, updated the residence with special attention to its history and legacy.

Jason Cochran & Craig Chorpenning (Desert Sotheby's International Realty) Photographer © HAUSPIX.COM by clarkandvalentine.

According to the listing, the home’s plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems have been updated. The roof was replaced in 2022. The property also includes updated appliances and an electric vehicle charger.

The outdoor areas include desert landscaping, walking paths and mountain views. The elevated lot provides distance from neighboring homes.

Jason Cochran & Craig Chorpenning (Desert Sotheby's International Realty) - Photographer © HAUSPIX.COM by clarkandvalentine

The property is located a short drive from downtown Palm Springs, and new owners may qualify for Mills Act contracts, which can offer property tax benefits, however the buyers must verify this, the listing adds.

Jason Cochran & Craig Chorpenning (Desert Sotheby's International Realty) - Photographer © HAUSPIX.COM by clarkandvalentine

"More than a home, 2550 South Araby Road is a living work of art where architectural significance, timeless craftsmanship, and some of the most breathtaking views in Palm Springs converge into a truly irreplaceable desert retreat."

The home, located at 2550 S. Araby Drive in Palm Springs, is listed for $1.5 million.

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