PS Historic Site Preservation board looks to save Racquet Club properties

The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board is looking to save the historic Racquet Club properties.

The board voted to recommend to the city council to give class 1 historic site status to the Racquet Club properties on Indian Canyon and Racquet Club Drive. Class 1 is the most prestigious historic designation.

The historic site designation ordinance was established for the purpose of preserving areas and specific buildings of the City which reflect elements of Palm Springs’ cultural, social, economic, political, architectural, and archaeological history. Historic Designation is intended to stabilize and improve buildings, structures or areas which are considered to be of historical, architectural, archaeological or ecological value, to foster civic beauty, to strengthen the local economy, and to promote the use of specific buildings for the education and welfare of the citizens of Palm Springs

The board also voted to recommend action on blight, possible eminent domain, & further attempts to meet with property owners.

The ten-acre historic Racquet Club properties were designed by famed designer Albert Frey. The property has been vacant for several years and blight conditions have taken it over. The hotel resort was shuttered in 2002 and has had two owners since then, the latest in 2010 when it was sold to two lesbian women who proposed the lesbian community concept under the organization, Olivia, and that concept fell through.

The Racquet Club used to be a premier hotel location for Hollywood’s elite between the 1930’s to 1960’s bringing such stars as Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Farrell, and many others. it also hosted many celebrity tennis tournaments.

No word on with this will come before the city council for a vote at this time. Once it leaves historical committee, it is up to the City Manager to decide when it goes before the City Council.