Thermal is the site for future development of a high end country club and racetrack for wealthy car lovers. What a score for this Desert community located on the east end of the Palm Springs Valley !!! Developers planned to break ground today on this exciting project that’s been in the making for years.
Coined as the “Rich Man’s Playground,” the Thermal Club’s developers claim they will succeed because there just aren’t many other places like this in the entire world – even though economic times are tough around the globe. A project of this type is not a new idea in our desert, there has been talk of building something like it here since the late 1980s.
The race course has been in the design stages for the past two years by Alan Wilson, a well-known track designer out of Salt Lake City. It will feature 3 independent circuits with the flexibility of running 19 different configurations.
Discovery Land Company is the Scottsdale based development company which is handling development, sales and operations at the club. They also developed The Madison Club and The Hideaway luxury country clubs in La Quinta. Memberships to the non-equity private club start at $85,000, corporate memberships of $200,000 include up to 4 designees. Club members must purchase lots starting at $200,000.
Approximately 40 people have joined the Thermal Club so far, most of them having homes in the Palm Springs Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. Some members are from Texas, New York and Montana.
The Thermal Club project is expected to generate hundreds of jobs locally in construction, with about 60 permanent positions. What a boon for our desert here and for the city of Thermal !!! It will be exciting to see how this project develops !!!
More
Who's paying for the view??
Who’s buying the really BIG properties..big prices and big locations? The Russians according to the New York Times. This specifically talks about New York, but it made me wonder…will they be heading here to the Palm Springs Valley any time soon?
Some of our most luxurious high end properties are on golf courses. Of course, they could BE golf courses. Porcupine Creek just sold. Escena and Palm Desert CC both sold to development companies that are now re-habbing them and building the properties out. Then there are the luxury golf developments of Bighorn in South Palm Desert. If you want a more rural surrounding, The Madison Club in La Quinta might be the one for you. Indian Wells, located centrally in our Valley offers several exclusive clubs..The Vintage is one of them. There are some glorious properties in downtown Palm Springs that just might ring your Russian Bell..
Luxury property sales here in our Valley have continued to record higher and more frequent sales through the first quarter of 2012. These sales are expected to continue through the year and into next year. Great values can be had in these higher end properties now that their List Prices are more reflective of the market.
If you’re looking for luxury..now could be the time.
More
Last week was the first week that I received this comment from potential La Quinta home buyers..not once, but twice. Is that ubiquitous bottom, behind us?
I have no way to know for sure if we are at the bottom..in any price point. If you run into a Realtor that swears they DO know..I would suggest running. We Realtors are out in the streets daily, looking at homes, studying the inventory of available homes, looking at numbers of foreclosures that may be coming down the pike. We do have a better feel for the “bottom” than the average bear, but we do NOT have a crystal ball that predicts the future. So..are we at the bottom?
In many developments in La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert..as well as Palm Springs proper, it appears we may be. Why? There are more Buyers looking for the same properties than there are those properties. What is everyone looking for in the desert?
- Sun orientation. South means more hours of sun. West is setting sun.
- Views. We have a unique situation in that we are a desert with mountain ranges and Buyers want to see them!
- Lot size. Large or small, Buyers want something in particular
- Water? Many Buyers demand water views or proximity
- Fairway location: HUGE here in the desert.
So..as you can surmise. If you are a buyer looking for a home with 3 of the 5 criteria above, your Inventory is very limited..no matter the price point. However, there are plenty of homes WITH the above mentioned criteria. They just are no longer only selling if they are short sales or foreclosures. Equity homes (standard sales) are now becoming more and more normal.
Buyers are still demanding a good value, just not a “steal.” The Steals are now much fewer and further in between. But, hey, look at it this way. Now you KNOW you are buying into a desirable area, right? There is nothing more comforting when you buy ANYTHING than knowing that lots of other Buyers desire exactly the same thing. Value is rising.
Views, location, sun..Buyers are paying for these!
If you’re a La Quinta “Covian,” or even if you’re not, you may very well have never heard of or noticed this amazing little enclave of luxury homes located west of South La Quinta’s Yucatan Cove on Avenida Montezuma. Tucked into a corner of the cove and nestled up right next to the breathtaking Santa Rosa Mountains, these 19 custom estate residences form the community called Flores De Montanas.
Flores De Montanas is exclusive and gated for utmost privacy. These multi-million dollar estates are situated on a 9 prime acres of La Quinta Cove, with access to the 4.75 mile hiking path that starts on the corner of Eisenhower and Calle Tampico and travels south toward the Fred Wolff Nature Preserve and the Cove Oasis Trailhead. Where else in the valley can you find a hiking/biking trail practically at your back doorstep?
Located in the heart of La Quinta near Old Town, you can walk or ride your bike to its wonderful shops, restaurants, Coffee Shop, Farmers Market and Art Festivals . . . and the same with the La Quinta Resort & Hotel located just down the street on Eisenhower Dr.
Flores De Montanas is a great place to live for anyone wanting to live in one of the most exclusive, small and private developments in La Quinta. If you’re looking to build your desert dream home, the “Covian” lifestyle may just be the perfect fit for you.
More
The Palm Springs Valley seems to have grabbed the attention of a residential development firm called Alta Verde Group out of Beverly Hills. The firm recently acquired 3 new master planned communities in our desert to the tune of approximately 300 lots located in Alta Verde Coral Mountain in La Quinta, Monte Sereno in South Palm Springs and Escena Resort in Palm Springs.
The Alta Verde Group, led by Andrew Adler, is an award-winning firm led with a history of successful large scale, award-winning real estate endeavors ranging from urban projects to gated communities, from Texas all the way to California. Alta Verde is designing its new developments in the Palm Springs Valley to accomodate the emerging next wave of second home and retiring baby-boomers looking for something different from the cookie cutter McMansions of the last 20 years. The firm’s driving motto is “Where Design Matters” … and they have teamed up with a leading international architect in LA to create these new developments which will focus on open space and contemporary elegance.
This firm is also environmentally savvy, designing homes that have flat roof designs which are pre-set for solar, car-charging electrical wiring, as well as other energy efficient designs that result in savings for the homeowners.
Adler says about his company’s projects in the Palm Springs Valley, “It’s rare when this level of style, features and location come toether at the price points we have created . . . We’ve taken the kind of spectacular architecture you would only find in vastly more expensive homes, and brought it down to scale, so that it is within reach of a larger populace base.”
Sounds like a new generation of residential development in the Palm Springs Valley is about to get underway !!!
More
Old Town Coffee Company in Old Town La Quinta feels like that comfy pair of slippers you can’t wait to put on after a long day’s work . . . it’s casual, it’s cozy and the people who work there know your name (if you’re a regular like me). The coffee is yummy, very important at a coffeeshop, though I’m always amazed at the number of people who still flock to drink the swill at Starbucks (always tastes burned to me) . . . but, to each his own.
The hardwood floors and overstuffed furniture inside of Old Town Coffee Company make this the perfect place to meet up with friends or family for early coffee, brekkie, yummy lunch . . . or frankly, just about any time of day. There are an assortment of outdoor tables (some with umbrellas), nooks and crannies to settle into while enjoying your cappucino or latte or americano and something delicious to go with it . . . like incredible muffins, fancied up bagels, frittatas, smoothies, sandwiches and more. I’ve never eaten anything there that was less than scrumptious.
Situated on a prime corner in Old Town La Quinta, the OTCC is the perfect gathering place. There always seem to be bevies of bikers, adorable doggies, children, people dressed up, people dressed down, young, old . . . you name it, you’ll see it there. During events like the weekly Farmer’s Market on Sunday mornings, Art Under The Umbrellas, just to name a few, the Old Town Coffee Company is packed to the gills. There is spirited conversation and laughter floating in the air, a general good vibration all around. Wi-fi is available if you want to bring your laptop and surf the net.
So, if you haven’t made it over yet to Old Town Coffee Company yet, you should call up a friend and plan a rendezvous soon !!!
More
Madison Estates is making a come back !!! This sprawling gated community located at Avenue 49 and Madison Street, one block east of Jefferson Street in the Vista Santa Rosa area of Indio, was originally designed to be a highly sought after address in our desert area. Construction began on nine well-appointed luxury homes, then going for $1,200,000 to $1,600.000. When the real estate market tanked and the development was stalled, these beautifully designed and well-thought out homes sat idle.
Ridgeback Partners, a real estate brokerage and management team, now own Madison Estates and are getting this upscale community back on its feet. The current owners recognize the value of the community’s location and original intent . . . and also that the market has changed since it first broke ground. Ridgeback Partners selected Family Development as the building team to finish out the nine original custom-quality homes. . . . and they’re priced at half of what they originally went for, starting at $600,000. Family Development has purchased 46 unfinished lots at Madison Estates, so there will be more grand homes to come.
Madison Estates’ homes are built in Tuscan, Spanish, Colonial and Mission styles, with each residence featuring more than 4,000sf of living space on half acre lots. There are many custom amenities and ugrades, including full landscaping, pool and spa are also included with these homes.
The downturn of the economy has an upturn . . . the luxurious and upscale homes in Madison Estates are now offering “Twice the Luxury at Half the Price.”
More
Escena, a Mid Century Contemporary styled community in Palm Springs, is just another long-delayed development in our Coachella Valley currently experiencing a revival. Having debuted back in 2006, Escena held much promise with its offerings of an 18 hole Nicklaus golf course, fantastic clubhouse and dining facility and two innovative and modern-styled home developments by Lennar. It is ideally close to downtown Palm Springs, the Palm Springs International Airport, Interstate 10, Highway 111 and more (and let’s not forget its stunning views of Mount San Jacinto). And then, well you know the rest of the story . . . the economy took a nose dive.
The exciting news is that Alta Verde, the new developers at Escena, are planning this summer to begin selling Escena’s new homes, ranging in size from about 2,200sf to 2,800sf. These homes carry through, as one would expect from a modern, with open floor plans, clean lines and lots of glass . . . bringing the outdoors in. These homes are priced from the low $400,00s.
Alta Verde’s new homes in Palm Springs at Escena are different . . . different how, you ask??? Well, different enough that the new developers claim their homes boast modern space planning and design with a new edge, coupled with building technologies of today. They are calling their homes “This Century Modern.” Brilliant.
I’m Looking forward to previewing this new generation of home, “This Century Modern,” when they become available in the summer. Just part of Modern architecture’s evolution and changing with and for the times. History in the making.
More
Indio offers affordable resort living in the east end of the Valley at Indian Palms Country Club. Did you know that this 640 acre property has an illustrious Hollywood history? Who knew? What now boasts 27 holes of golf, nearly 3,000 homes and condos, time-share properties, a hotel and a restaurant was once called “The Ranch.” “The Ranch” consisted of a large ranch-style home, stables, citrus groves, guest quarters, and an Olympic sized pool. The property was owned by aviator Jackie Cochran and her husband Floyd Odlum, movie studio owner & investor, fromthe late 1930s until the early ’80s. Back then, “The Ranch” was a retreat for the rich and famous – the likes of Walt Disney, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Clark Gable, Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes, just to name a few.
Now, Indian Palms is a beautiful community that offers country club living at an affordable price. And who wouldn’t want to live here – where not only golf is offered, but also tennis courts, community pools, its own restaurant and a fitness facility?
And convenience . . . Indian Palms is close to Hwy. 11 with all of the available shopping, dining, movie theatre, etc; and is only 5 miles from Interstate 10 with it’s North Indio shopping district. Schools, JFK Hospital and much more are within walking distance.
Check out Indian Palms Country Club in Indio if you’re looking for the most value for your money and all of the amenities a perfect desert lifestyle offers.
More
Point Happy Estates, a community conveniently located close to the intersection of Highway 111 and Washington St. in La Quinta, may be getting ready to be Revived ! Family Development, a Palm Desert-based real estate development company, has purchased 15 unfinished foreclosed homes and 23 lots here and this resurgence of interest and energy can only be good for the builders and buyers alike.
Point Happy Estates is named after Point Happy, a lovely little little cove area nestled up next to the Santa Rosa Mountains. It gets its name from early settler Norman “Happy” Lundbeck, who tended a small store there. Later on, the property was purchased by philanthropist Chauncey Clarke, who grew the first Deglet Noor dates in California there and also raised purebred horses at his Point Happy Ranch.
When built out, Point Happy Estates will feature 69 semi-custom luxury homes with average lot sizes of 10,500sf – all situated on 22 acres of prime La Quinta real estate with a secluded mountain escape. Many world class amenities are in close proximity, such as adjacent Point Happy shopping center, fine restaurants, Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, Old Town La Quinta, La Quinta Hotel & Resort . . . and much more. Stay tuned as the best kept secret of Point Happy Estates becomes the buzz of the town as its vision comes to fruition.
More
