Developers update classic in new Alexander homes

With developers build ing communities with hundreds and even thousands of homes in the Coachella Valley, a developer building less than 100 homes wouldn't typically be all that noteworthy - especially without a new golf course in the mix.

Contempo Homes, however, has a novel plan. The new-to-thedesert developer held a "neighborhood meeting" last month to introduce its concept to residents near its planned Palm Springs projects.

Edward Torres, chief operating officer, and Ray Simmons, chief executive officer, who reside in the desert, plan to marry midcentury modern architecture with 21st-century technology. Specifically, the company is focusing on classic Alexander homes with solar and other energy-efficient features.

In 1955, the father-and-son construction team of George and Robert Alexander began building "tract estates" in Palm Springs. Their first subdivision of 39 homes, originally known as Royal Desert Estates, is now known as Twin Palms Estates. After building more homes priced in the $20,000s, the Alexanders built 20 more homes in Las Palmas priced at $52,000. Dean Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Peter Lawford, Cyd Charise, and Elvis Presley were among celebrities who purchased Alexander homes.

The homes are easily recognizable for clerestory windows, postand-beam ceilings, and flat or slightly slanted rooflines. The Alexanders built more than 20 communities and more than 2,000 homes in Palm Springs and would have likely built more but for the tragic deaths of father and son and their wives in a private jet crash on Nov. 14, 1965, near Indio.

Contempo Homes wants to continue the legacy of Alexander Construction Co. by updating original Alexander designs. "We did some renovations so we could understand the houses," Torres said.

"When people walked through, they said they had original plans and pictures before their homes were remodeled," said Wesley Cole, who handles public relations and marketing for Contempo Homes. "Through the generosity of working with other neighbors, ... we were able to mimic the exteriors and interiors. But we have changed and upgraded it so that it's more within what people are looking for today."

Contempo Homes expected to break ground on the Vista Chino homes on Oct. 4 and submit three more projects in the next couple of weeks. The newer projects involve 25 homes in Palm Springs Country Club and two new developments: Alexander Vista Estates on 11.5 acres and Alexander Village on 21 acres of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians land. The latter two are just south of the country club and are bounded by Whitewater Club Drive, Verona Road, Gene Autry Trail and Via Escuela.

Alexander Village will be unique, Torres said, because Contempo Homes will be the master lease holder of the village-style community, which will include bike trails, a dog park, a running path and a few communal, serviceoriented businesses such as a dry cleaning drop-off/pick-up center, coffeehouse or salon. Torres said the concept is to create an environment "very integrated to bring the community out to meet each other."

Contempo Homes "got involved" in Alexander Village as an outgrowth of its plans for Alexander Vista Estates because the property is in the flood control channel, Torres said. "We have to do storm drainage work anyway for the 100-year flood to carry water from Verona [Road] to Via Escuela, so it makes more sense for us to work with the tribe to develop all that property."

A particularly noteworthy aspect of Contempo Homes' plans is a concentration on "green building." The homes will feature solar energy and structural insulated panels (a monolithic unit combining two outer skins and an inner core). Even the six homes on Vista Chino will get the necessary wiring and connections that would prepare them for solar energy conversion. Contempo Homes also is looking into geothermal heating and air conditioning.

"We feel that developers need to start giving back to the home buyer and the community by utilizing these types of energy methods," Torres said. "It makes houses and living more in tune with what the future is going to be like."

Contempo Homes mailed 350 invitations for the September meeting to nearby residents to inform them of their plans. "We are very proactive. We want the communities to know in advance what we are doing ... so we can deal with concerns," Torres said. "It's just better to talk to your neighbors." About 30 people attended and heard Torres describe the developments.

Alexander Vista Estates will consist of 39 single family homes of about 2,000 square feet on lots from 8,500 to 9,000 square feet and priced in the $600,000s.

Alexander Village will consist of 25 single-family homes that will replicate the designs of Vista Estates but be a little smaller: from 1,700 to 1,800 square feet. Those homes will sit on the exterior of the site around up to 200 conominums in complementary midcentury, two-story buildings.

"Our main focus and concept is from the Alexanders' theory and design," Torres said. Six floor plans capitalize on elements associated with the Alexanders' desire to create harmony between indoor and outdoor environments.

Both developments will be nongated communities, but will have a homeowners association "to maintain architectural integrity and landscape integrity," Torres said. When put on the market, the homes will include pools/spas, landscaping and energy-efficient appliances.

"Our intention is to revitalize the area," Torres said.

Neighbors worried that rentals could decrease the value of their properties were assured the Village units would rent for no less than $1,500. "We would be shooting ourselves in the foot to allow low rents near $600,000 homes we're selling," Torres said. They may be offered on a lease with option to buy. Additionally, energyefficient features would "attract people sensitive to the environment and community," Torres said. "They're going to attract an element that, in my opinion, is going to be positive to the community."

The primary concern expressed related to traffic and the already difficult access to Gene Autry Trail from Via Escuela. Torres said Contempo Homes would be conducting traffic studies and invited anyone to participate. Meanwhile, he said the company would immediately address the situation at Via Escuela and Gene Autry Trail. After checking with city officials, Contempo Homes learned that a traffic light is planned for the comer to ease access from Via Escuela as part of a Gene Autry Trail widening project. Cole says that widening, from Interstate 10 to Vista Chino, should be completed around the same time as the anticipated completion of the homes in the first half of 2006.

The developers have scheduled two more neighborhood meetings to update nearby residents on the project: Oct. 15 and Nov. 12. They clearly believe modernization of the Alexander design will benefit the local community.

"This was Palm Springs, and we feel that recreating this kind of architecture is going to attract people that buy this home for architectural reasons and for environmental reasons," Torres said.