Miles Bates House, Palm Desert 1955. (Photo: Historical Society of Palm Desert)
Sherry Barkas
The Desert Sun
A mid-century modern house with a unique “wave” roof may be eligible for a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, but the city of Palm Desert – which owns the structure – says such a designation would cause costly renovation restrictions that could deter potential buyers.
The house, which was extensively renovated by previous owners, was purchased by the city’s former redevelopment agency in 2007 as part of a plan to expand the nearby Joslyn senior center. The state dismantled the redevelopment agencies in 2011 and, in meeting dissolution mandates set by the state, the city’s Successor Agency must sell the property.
Palm Desert officials want to find a buyer for the house, designed by architect Walter S. White for artist Miles C. Bates in 1954-55, who will restore and preserve it. But The Palm Desert Historical Society wants something more: A national landmark designation that would prohibit demolition and strictly control any changes to the unique structure, with its distinctive rippling roof.
While Palm Desert officials say they support locally registering the house as a historic site, the far more restrictive national designation could prove costly to future owners.
“Experts as well as staff don’t feel that the national listing will serve preservation of the house in that the rigid rules to restore it to its exact original condition is not financially viable,” Public Works Director Mark Greenwood recently told members of the city council.
He added that any application for a historic designation should be left to the house’s future owner.
“The city of Palm Desert is committed to creating the best opportunity for a buyer with the skills, knowledge and ability to acquire and renovate the house,” Greenwood said. “The city will support the buyer’s efforts to list the house on the National Register, if they choose to do so. The good news is that significant interest in the home has already been shown by the modernism community.”
Historical Society board secretary Merilee Colton, who has helped lead the effort for the national recognition, was disappointed to learn that the council, acting as the city’s RDA Successor Agency, voted 4-1 to object to the nomination for historical listing. Councilwoman Susan Marie Weber recused herself because she is on the historical society board.
“I am aware that some of the staff do not believe the national designation would be helpful,” said Colton, who was out of town when the item was presented to the council on Oct. 26. “There can be disagreement on city vs. national designation, but it is clear that national designation carries more weight and city designation allows, per the guidelines, for the city council to reverse a recommendation to preserve the house, should it choose to do so.”
The Historical Society’s national registration application will continue, even if the city’s Successor Agency does not agree, the house will still qualify for listing as a nationally-designated structure, she said.
The Historical Society, Colton said, “will continue to work with the city to try to find the right buyer for the Bates house, and we will continue to support national designation for this important work by a master architect.”
Barbara Lamprecht, who is preparing the national designation application for the historical society, said there is no reason “restoration” must be followed. She suggested following the secretary of the interior’s standards for rehabilitation rather than restoration.
Doing so would mean the primary character or defining features of a structure would be preserved and restored but other elements could be changed, Lamprecht said.
The state historic preservation officer could control restoration and preservation efforts if placed on the national register, Greenwood said.
Local historic designation would allow the Successor Agency to retain control through the city’s current ordinances, he said.
The city opened the Bates house for tours during last month’s Modernism Week Preview and it generated a lot of interest, Mayor Jan Harnik said.
“I think we’re going in the right direction” following staff’s recommendation, she said.
