Introducing Steel House Number 1, a mid-century modern masterpiece by architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison. Built in the early 1960s by the Alexander Construction Company, this historic home is one of only seven steel houses and one of just two featuring the signature folded-plate roofline that defines its iconic aesthetic. Located in Palm Springs' Racquet Club Road Estates, this home was part of an ambitious plan to create low-maintenance, prefabricated steel houses designed to withstand desert conditions resisting warping, pests, earthquakes, and fire. Sixty years on, the steel framing remains structurally sound, testifying to its innovative construction. In 2014, Wexler himself was consulted during the tasteful restoration. Iconic features like eight-foot glass panels, sliding doors, and clerestory windows have been preserved, offering remarkable mountain views and visual interest throughout. Inside, an open floor plan features formal living and dining areas, a den overlooking a private backyard with a heated saltwater boomerang-shaped pool, and an open kitchen ideal for entertaining. The home boasts two spacious bedrooms, perfect for hosting guests, both offering mountain views and direct outdoor access. The main bedroom includes an en-suite bath, while the guest room provides comfort and privacy for visitors. Abundant indoor/outdoor living spaces allow you to fully enjoy the desert climate. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors seamlessly blend the interior with outdoor patios, perfect for relaxation and social gatherings. Situated in vibrant Palm Springs, this home offers both tranquillity and adventure, with world-class amenities moments away. Steel House Number 1 is a rare opportunity to own a desert gem, a testament to visionary architecture awaiting its next chapter.
Single-familyProperty Type
1962Year Built
10,019 sq ftLot Size
$676Est. Price/Sq.Ft.
2 spacesParking
Listed by Alex Dethier•DRE #01926911
•760-808-3300 (agent)
•alex@pshomes.com (agent)
Listed by Sara Swanson•DRE #01959496
•760-399-0706 (agent)
•sswanson@bdhomes.com (agent)
Bought with Jennifer Pope-Innes•DRE #02245463• eXp Realty of California Inc
Introducing Glass and Steel House #1. This Donald Wexler and Ric Harrison designed home was built by the Alexander Construction Company in the early 1960s. Only seven of these incredible homes were built and constructed with materials both factory-fabricated and on-site assembled, specifically selected to withstand the desert elements with ease. Eight-foot stationary glass panels and sliding glass doors are flanked by steel construction, offering both visual interest and remarkable mountain views. This home is one out of only two boasting the signature folded-plate roofline, which gives this property its iconic, sought-after aesthetic. Wexler himself consulted on the tasteful restoration of this property, making it one of his last projects. Enter to a foyer which to the left leads to a formal dining and living area with an outdoor patio, and to the right, leads to the den off the large, private backyard with a boomerang-shaped pool. Both living areas, separated by the open kitchen, showcase the unique interior ceiling and mountain views through the ample glass and triangular clerestory windows. Walk down the hall to discover a bright guest room with mountain views and patio access, a guest bathroom with a laundry area, and the main bedroom which also boasts views, outdoor access, and an en-suite full bath. This stunning home has all the architectural street credit a Mid Century devotee could desire!
GPSMLS #15820297
Jul 8, 2015
Listing Removed
—
Mar 4, 2015
Relisted
—
Feb 23, 2015
Listing Removed
—
Jan 12, 2015
Listed
$895,000
$584/sq ft
GPSMLS #13665005
Apr 22, 2013
Sold
$625,000
$408/sq ft
Apr 14, 2013
Pending
—
Apr 14, 2013
Listed
$629,000
$411/sq ft
Public Records
Sep 24, 1990
Sold
$95,000
$62/sq ft
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$4,248 (−3.5%)
$120,000 + $223,122
$343,122
2024
$4,401 (−16.5%)
$120,000 + $223,122
$343,122
2023
$5,273 (−45.3%)
$100,000 + $239,929
$339,929
2022
$9,633 (+2.1%)
$100,000 + $295,842
$395,842
2021
$9,438 (+4.7%)
$216,989 + $508,251
$725,240
2020
$9,014 (+1.8%)
$212,735 + $498,286
$711,021
2019
$8,858 (+1.9%)
$210,554 + $493,177
$703,731
2018
$8,692 (+1.5%)
$206,426 + $483,507
$689,933
2017
$8,564 (+3.0%)
$198,411 + $464,733
$663,144
2016
$8,313 (+4.1%)
$198,411 + $464,733
$663,144
2015
$7,987 (−1.7%)
$194,521 + $455,621
$650,142
2014
$8,124 (+512.1%)
$187,848 + $439,988
$627,836
2013
$1,327 (+6.6%)
$187,848 + $439,988
$627,836
2012
$1,246 (+4.1%)
$26,443 + $64,800
$91,243
2011
$1,197 (−1.6%)
$25,925 + $63,530
$89,455
2010
$1,216
$25,417 + $62,285
$87,702
2009
$1,217 (+6.7%)
$25,228 + $61,820
$87,048
2008
$1,140
$25,289 + $61,968
$87,257
Tax history for 290 E Simms Rd
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$4,248 (−3.5%)
$120,000 + $223,122
$343,122
2024
$4,401 (−16.5%)
$120,000 + $223,122
$343,122
2023
$5,273 (−45.3%)
$100,000 + $239,929
$339,929
2022
$9,633 (+2.1%)
$100,000 + $295,842
$395,842
2021
$9,438 (+4.7%)
$216,989 + $508,251
$725,240
2020
$9,014 (+1.8%)
$212,735 + $498,286
$711,021
2019
$8,858 (+1.9%)
$210,554 + $493,177
$703,731
2018
$8,692 (+1.5%)
$206,426 + $483,507
$689,933
2017
$8,564 (+3.0%)
$198,411 + $464,733
$663,144
2016
$8,313 (+4.1%)
$198,411 + $464,733
$663,144
2015
$7,987 (−1.7%)
$194,521 + $455,621
$650,142
2014
$8,124 (+512.1%)
$187,848 + $439,988
$627,836
2013
$1,327 (+6.6%)
$187,848 + $439,988
$627,836
2012
$1,246 (+4.1%)
$26,443 + $64,800
$91,243
2011
$1,197 (−1.6%)
$25,925 + $63,530
$89,455
2010
$1,216
$25,417 + $62,285
$87,702
2009
$1,217 (+6.7%)
$25,228 + $61,820
$87,048
2008
$1,140
$25,289 + $61,968
$87,257
*Taxable value of land and structures on it ("additions") is determined regularly by local assessors and does not affect market price.
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Beds
2
Baths
2
Stories
1
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
10,019 Sq. Ft.
Year renovated
2000
Sq. Ft.
1,532
Year built
1962
Style
Single Family Residential
County
Riverside County
APN
501031012
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Aug 7, 2026.
R1C
Single-Family Residential Zone
Established to provide a variety of low-density housing types and neighborhoods. Development standards are designed to provide protection and enhancement of the natural and urban setting consistent with the goals of the general plan.