A glamorous midcentury home is now up for grabs in Palm Springs’s Vista Las Palmas neighborhood. In 1961, Los Angeles couple Claire and Teddy Morse commissioned renowned architects Dan Palmer and William Krisel and the Alexander Construction Company to design and build the desert home. Once construction was underway, however, the couple brought in famed architect Harold “Hal” Levitt to completely redesign the space—with an emphasis on memorable entertaining.

In addition to receiving acclaim for designing the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, the famed architect was also known for his work with Hollywood’s elite. “Levitt took his talent for designing party homes in Beverly Hills and brought it to the desert for a very demanding client,” says Joan Gand, who currently owns the property with her partner, Gary. “Claire wanted to be able to walk into the pool without going outside, so Levitt integrated stairs from the sunken living room directly to the pool,” Joan continues.

In addition to designing an unparalleled indoor/outdoor connection throughout the home, Levitt also layered the Vista Las Palmas residence with sleek details to enhance its grand flair, including vintage white terrazzo surfaces and stone walls.

Shortly after the current homeowners purchased the 3,711-square-foot residence in 2013, they treated it to a complete restoration, which won the three-bedroom, four-bathroom home a Palm Springs Preservation Award in 2018. “Living in the Morse Residence is an experience unlike any other,” says Joan. “When visitors tour the house for design events, they always exclaim that this is what they visualize Palm Springs architecture is all about.”

In recent years, the residence has garnered wide recognition, appearing in the award-winning documentary My Name Is Lopez, as well as in the limited-edition poster, The Imposters, by the American artist, Shag. The home’s most notable spotlight, however, might’ve been when it served as inspiration for the midcentury home featured the 2018 hit animated film, Incredibles 2, by Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures.

As preservationists and midcentury enthusiasts, Joan and Gary recently bought another Palm Springs home which they plan to restore, so they’re seeking a new owner for the Morse Residence. Scroll ahead to see more of the 1961 property, which is now on the market for $4,500,000.

1197 Abrigo Road in Palm Springs, California, is currently listed for $4,500,000 by Scott Histed Bennion Deville Homes.

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The Morse Residence