So nice, he bought it twice! Two-time owner of Donald Wexler’s original home in Palm Springs lists the iconic home for $3.8 million

Architect Donald Wexler was one of the pioneers of mid-century modern design, but the best example of his work wasn’t a high-profile commission. Rather, it is the extraordinary home in Palm Springs, CA, that he built for his own family and where he lived for nearly 40 years.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom desert home, now on the market for $3.8 million, is so special that its current owner, a fashion and beauty industry veteran, Daniel Patrick Gilesbought it two separate occasions.

Now, after a number of renovations, one of which was carried out in consultation with Wexler, it is in perhaps the best condition ever – and even comes complete with its own signature color and scent.

The property occupies one-third of an acre in Palm Springs’ trendy Movie Colony East, just around the corner Bob Hope‘s famous desert retreat.

The plot is enclosed by a high hedge, which opens inwards to old boulders and native plants. Mature olive trees and Japanese pines provide shade in the garden, which also features a black-bottomed swimming pool and spa.

The original vertical spruce siding and spun-metal canned light fixtures are still intact, as is the open floor plan. But it has been updated with new terrazzo floors, stainless steel appliances, marble surfaces and European fixtures. The view of the San Jacinto Mountains is still majestic.

When Wexler completed the house in 1955, he was a young architect in the early stages of building his family and reputation. He created an entirely wooden structure, using elements he had learned as an apprentice in the offices of Richard Neutra And William F Cody.

The timber post and double beam system, which would become Wexler’s signature, provided a flexible, open floor plan that could expand and contract depending on the family’s needs. It started with an area of ​​just 1,450 square meters and grew seamlessly into the 2,4240 square meter classic that it is today.

Wexler designed the home with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and sliders, which blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The tongue-and-groove ceilings allow deep overhangs, which protect the interior from the bright sun and give the homes their characteristic appearance.

Wexler’s reputation evolved along with his house. Today he is widely regarded as the father of desert architecture in the Coachella Valley, and is responsible for prominent structures including the famed Palm Springs International Airport, the Dina Kust estate (currently owned by Leonardo DiCaprio and featured in the TV series “Midcentury Modern”), and the innovative Steel Development Houses located on the northern edge of Palm Springs.

Giles, the current owner, bought the house in 2007 for $915,000. He lived in San Francisco at the time, but visited the desert regularly and became enamored with the mid-century modern style.

He noted that the property was not in excellent condition, but that it still had Wexler’s classic style, and he based his extensive renovation and restoration on conversations he had with the architect himself.

The house won the Palm Springs Modern Committee’s Residential Restoration of the Year Award.

Giles decided to sell the house for $1.68 million in 2015, but he just couldn’t stop. When it came back on the market in 2023, he bought it again, this time for $2.28 million.

This time he worked on the functional aspects of the home, replacing the roof and HVAC and adding a new solar system and EV charger.

He also focused on interior design and collaborated with designers Darren Brown. The two created a new paint color, which they called Wexler White, for all solid surfaces. Previously, the posts and beams were made in light and dark contrasting colors.

They agreed that the house would be best accentuated with minimal ‘stuff’ and simple furnishings with elegant lines, so that the emphasis could be on the shape, lines and views of the house.

But there is one extensive addition. Giles had recently founded the luxury brand Perfumehead, which creates fragrances inspired by “film, music, books, lovers, places and poetry.” So it made sense that he came up with a scent inspired by his weekend home.

He calls it ‘1272’, the address of the iconic house.

“1272 is inspired by The Wexler House in Palm Springs, the weekend home of Perfumehead founder Daniel Patrick Giles,” the scent description reads.

“A fresh citrus opening of petitgrain from the leaves and twigs of the Peruvian lime tree, combined with transparent orange blossom and verbena. Pruned hedges and sun-softened wood are evoked with Haitian vetiver, sandalwood, cistus absolute and moss. When you wear it, you experience a version of yourself that is faceted and sustainable.”

Other benefits of the property include its place on the National Register of Historic Places. It is designated as a Palm Springs Class 1 Historic Resource, with significant tax savings under the Mills Act.

Currently, property taxes are approximately $6,000 per year. Without that Mills Act designation, taxes would be much higher.

The Wexler House will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2025. The historic building is represented by Brian LinderAIA Architectural Broker with Compass.