Tiki Preservation

The Royal Hawaiian Estates, a tiki-themed apartment complex built in 1962, was designated an historic district by the City of Palm Springs.

1 minute read

February 8, 2010, 1:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur


From The Desert Sun: "With the council's vote, Royal Hawaiian Estates owners now can seek tax-reducing opportunities under the state's Mills Act, which covers historic properties.

'This is the type of historic preservation that we need in Palm Springs,' Mayor Pro Tem Rick Hutcheson said at Wednesday's meeting. He called it a 'bottom-up' approach initiated by property owners."

The Royal Hawaiian Estates' official website has extensive documentation of the history of the 40-unit complex as well as photographs.

From the website:"In the design of the Royal Hawaiian Estates, Donald Wexler and Rich Harrison make a statement in the truest spirit of their times. From their first conception, Wexler's ideas have been single-mindedly directed toward the clean, modernist lines of Bauhaus design adapted to unique desert scenery and climate. His apprenticeship with Neutra and Cody, his steadfast vision of clean lines leading the eye to open vistas, sometimes framed as graceful arches may be consider his personal signature. At the Royal Hawaiian Estates, we see his use of color and whimsical form to enhance the recreational aspect of desert file."

Monday, February 8, 2010 in The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

3 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

4 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

5 hours ago - Cities Today