The Bob Hope Home: A John Lautner-designed Mod Masterpiece

Only a stone’s throw away from an RV park, luxurious automobile sellers, and a swanky nation membership lies an architectural gem, the Bob Hope home. Nestled away within the rocky panorama of Palm Springs, California is a unprecedented dwelling. With a sweeping, 60 foot broad oculus roof, the Bob Hope home seems extra like an extraterrestrial plane than a home. Nonetheless, Hollywood royalty Bob and Dolores Hope acquired the home they knew would replicate their standing and be a head-turner too. 

The Architect

The house was designed by well-known architect John Lautner. He’s thought-about to be one of many nice modernist architects proper subsequent to Pierre Koenig. It blends the California Modernist type with the pure sloping of a volcano. The house’s large copper roof curves upward to satisfy at three totally different factors. It miraculously creates a crater-like skylight centered over the house’s inside terrace. 

Whereas Lautner had his say within the making of the construction, which was his largest creation but, there was gentle conflict over the inside options. Actually, Lautner basically disowned the venture after Dolores Hope employed an alternate designer to alter Lautner’s inside design. Dolores ended up including a balcony and inner pathways to love the bed room to the entrance door. She additionally commissioned muralist Gath Benton to adorn her partitions by the primary bar and spa space. 

A Jaw-Dropper

Having their dwelling simply the way in which they prefer it, Bob and Dolores made reminiscences to final a lifetime. This was Bob’s third dwelling in palm springs and he and his spouse used it as a secondary residence in addition to an entertaining area. The inside terrace is able to internet hosting as much as 300 folks and the Hopes actually used the area. Each January they’d host a lavish banquet to have a good time the ending of the Bob Hope golf event. The social gathering didn’t cease for the climate both. To maintain company heat throughout chilly nights a transparent tent could be positioned over the central skylight. This fashion, party-goers can nonetheless benefit from the pure gentle with out being too chilly.

The home was actually a jaw dropper in its first iteration, however even because it has modified arms it nonetheless stays an architectural masterpiece nestled in Palm Springs. The brand new house owners have retained the home’s exclusivity and it isn’t open for public excursions. Nonetheless, the area continues to be a hotspot for celebrities. In 2015, the home boasted the Louis Vuitton Cruise Assortment 2016 trend present. The occasion had company starting from the  trend press to business leaders and even celebrities from world wide. Right now, the house has been bought to American investor Ronald Burkle in 2016 for $13 million. This price stays the very best value ever paid for any residence in Palm Springs.

To learn extra on modernist marvels you should definitely try our modernist index. Additionally, if you wish to be taught extra about Lautner himself, we now have the main points right here. And don’t overlook to comply with us on Instagram, Fb and Pinterest to your every day dose of mid century inspiration!