Amid the white-walled mansions of Palm Springs’ Movie Colony neighborhood, Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway is the 5,000-square-foot residence where The King and Priscilla enjoyed postnuptial bliss in 1967.
Elvis never owned the house—he rented it—but he planned to host his marriage to Priscilla on the property’s sprawling grounds. When the media caught wind of his plans, Elvis moved the wedding to the Aladdin in Las Vegas, where the couple got married in the company of 100 friends and an army of photographers. Later that same day—May 1, 1967—they were whisked back to Palm Springs, where Elvis carried Priscilla over the threshold of this upscale abode to start their honeymoon. (And exactly nine months later, daughter Lisa Marie came into the world.)
Although the Elvis connection garners the lion's share of attention, this home's architectural value inspired a 1962 Look magazine cover story that dubbed this midcentury gem “The House of Tomorrow.” The residence was designed by William Krisel and Dan Palmer in 1960 as "an experiment in modern living." (Krisel and Palmer were also the architects of Palm Springs' Ocotillo Lodge.) Local developer Robert Alexander commissioned the home, and although he intended to sell it, he and his wife Helene loved it so much that they moved in.
Defying the shape of traditional homes, the house was constructed as four connecting circular pods. Not a single room is square, including the polygonal glass bedroom that can be seen from the street. The interior boasts a 64-foot built-in banquette sofa, lava-rock walls that look straight out of The Flintstones, terrazzo flooring, a "floating" fireplace, and other era-defining elements. The grounds include a large gunite swimming pool and stunning vistas of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Considered one of Palm Springs' most important examples of midcentury modern design, this storied home was open for public tours for more than a decade. But in December 2020 it was purchased by new owners, and it's unknown whether tours will still be offered. You can still catch a glimpse by driving by 1350 Ladera Circle.
