A Spacious William Cody Property Lists for $1.8M

Architect William Cody is credited with designing much of midcentury Palm Springs and its surroundings, but pinning down a distinctive Cody style can prove to be difficult for even the most knowledgeable of desert modernism aficionados. Perhaps that is because the architect didn’t have a singular "look," opting instead to experiment with style and form over the course of his career. 

Cody's proclivity for experimentation is evident in 572 W Santa Elena Road, a dramatic midcentury home with a striking black and white facade set in the architectural enclave of Little Tuscany. "The home is at once brutalist and yet delicate," explains the listing agent, Chris Menrad (who is also the author of William Krisel’s Palm Springs: The Language of Modernism). "This is a unique home that pairs Cody’s early work at the office of Cliff May with his light-filled minimalist modernism that appears in his work in Palm Springs," says Menrad. 

Set behind a brise soleil, the 2,690-square-foot home still maintains "much of the exquisite detailing that Cody is known for." There are original leather-covered front doors at the entrance; poured terrazzo floors throughout; original, warm walnut-paneled walls and cabinets; as well as an original avocado green bar in the dining room that can be hidden behind a sliding door. The kitchen and bathrooms have been renovated, and these updates seamlessly integrate into the home's midcentury vibe. 

572 W Santa Elena Road was also featured in the book Unseen Midcentury Desert Modern and has been included in several Palm Springs Modernism Week home tours. Scroll ahead for a look inside.