Between 1925 and 1933, Arthur K. Bourne, the free-spending heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune, kept Wallace Neff pretty busy, commissioning the architect to design three lavish estates for him. The third of these residences was this California Spanish hacienda in what's now known as the Tennis Club neighborhood of Palm Springs.
Bourne and his family held on to their desert oasis for a decade, but after they sold it in 1943, the 1.26-acre property passed through a whole slew of owners, including several banks and savings and loans. Cumulative years of neglect earned the once-stunning villa the dreaded nickname "Grey Gardens" among locals.
The derelict estate was purchased earlier this year by LA development firm ReInhabit, which has just put it back on the market following a partial restoration. According to one of the property's listing agents, David Kubiczky, the home has a poured concrete foundation, its sewer line has been replaced, and easements associated with neighboring parcels vacated. Select interior and exterior areas have also been spruced up; but, there's still a fair amount of work (refinishing floors and replacing the roof, for example) left to do for the Bourne Estate to be reborn.
The ten-bedroom, eleven-bath home's features include beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, spindle-turned Spanish doors, three fireplaces, built-ins, and hand-painted tiles.
Other selling points include a swimming pool, spa, fruit orchard, and, per the listing, parking for up to 20 vehicles. Asking price is $2.995 million, and should the buyer wish to expand the estate, three adjacent lots are also for sale.
- 486 West Patencio Lane [Official site]
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