The Desert Wave

Palm Desert, California
A California Desert Gem

The Desert Wave was built in 1955 as a getaway and sculptor’s studio for Miles C. Bates, who turned it into an artistic and social hub for the Coachella Valley. Over time, a series of additions by other owners and years of lying empty threatened its structural integrity.

In 2018, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and purchased by Stayner Architects, who set to work restoring the innovative roof system and mid-century structure. The result, a publicly available home of historical importance, was unveiled at Modernism Week in 2020.

The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals

The home has now been made available for vacation rental, and makes a wonderful desert getaway for up to three guests. It’s small (with only one bedroom), but it’s an exceptional space, with vintage modernist furnishings, luxury Tibor fabrics, Frette Italian linens, and two private bathrooms with rain showers.

The house has a full kitchen, and next to the whiskey and amaro bar is a turntable with curated vintage records, plus a Sonos and vintage Bose sound system.

Outdoors, there’s a two-person chilled/heated cedar Ofuro soaking tub, a dining terrace, private gardens with mountain views, and native desert landscaping by the Cactus Store of Echo Park and NYC.

This holiday home in Palm Desert offers a private mid-century escape just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. 


AWARD-WINNING DESIGN

In addition to being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Desert Wave is on the Register of the State of California, and is a City of Palm Desert Historical Landmark. 

It has won numerous awards including a Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation, and a Design Citation from Docomomo, US (as part of its prestigious Modernism in America Awards). It received a Design Award from the Los Angeles AIA, a Best of Design Award for Preservation from the Architects Newspaper. 

In 2021, so far, it has received a Best Residential Preservation Award from the Southern California Development Forum, and the Restoration Award from the Palm Springs Modern Committee.

It has also appeared in prestigious publications including The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Architectural Digest, Dwell and Wallpaper.


PALM DESERT & BEYOND

The property is 20 minutes to the Empire Polo Club, 10 minutes to Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 5 minutes to shopping districts, and 5 minutes to Whole Foods and restaurants. Recommended activities include hiking and mountain biking, exploring Joshua Tree National Park and the nearby Living Desert, golfing, museums and theatres. The owners provide a guide to the house on arrival, as well as suggestions for local activities, stores, and eateries.

 

LOCATION

Palm Desert, Riverside County, California, USA. Nearest airport: Palm Springs International (20 mins).

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Fall through spring.

 
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The Desert Wave
Palm Desert, California
The Desert Wave
Palm Desert, California
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The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave - Palm Desert, California, United States | holiday lettings | holiday lettings
The Desert Wave - Palm Desert, California, United States | holiday lettings | holiday lettings
The Desert Wave - Palm Desert, California, United States | holiday lettings | holiday lettings
The Desert Wave - Palm Desert, California, United States | holiday lettings | holiday lettings
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave - Palm Desert, California, United States | holiday lettings | holiday lettings
The Desert Wave - Palm Desert, California, United States | holiday lettings | holiday lettings
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
The Desert Wave (Miles C. Bates Wave House), Palm Desert, California | holiday homes, holiday rentals
BACK TO PROPERTY OVERVIEW
The Desert Wave
Palm Desert, California
A Design Classic, Beautifully Restored

Known as the Miles C. Bates “Wave" House for its curving roof that mimics the nearby San Jacinto mountains, this mid-century home was designed by Walter S. White, a Southern California-born architect and inventor who worked for the likes of Rudolph Schindler and Albert Frey.

His distinctive rollercoaster roof and other inventive construction techniques greatly influenced mid-century modern architecture in the Coachella Valley.

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The Wave 1 Br 2 Ba Sleeps 3 Min 2 nights
from $375 /nt
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Overview Fully equipped. The owners provide all guests with a list of recommended local contactless food and beverage delivery options. Dining terrace equipped with a Weber charcoal grill.
Kitchen Fully equipped kitchen
Internet Wifi
TV Yes
Cable TV Yes
Air Conditioning Yes
Heating Yes
Wireless Internet Yes
Smoke Detector Yes
Fire Extinguisher Yes
Essentials Yes
Hot Tub Cedar soaking tub available year round
Bedrooms 1
Bed Type 1 King-sized bed in master bedroom, 1 Pull-out sofa/futon in the living room
Kitchen Fully equipped kitchen
Bathrooms 2
Accommodates 3
Kid-Friendly Not kid-friendly
Pet Friendly No pets allowed
Min. Stay 2 nights
Check-In 4:00PM
Check-Out 12:00PM
Cleaning $100
Tax 12.00 % for total rate
Sec. Deposit $500
Sec. Deposit Due Deposit required at check-in with credit card
Sec. Deposit Returned Refund of deposit by owner within 7 days after stay
Cancellation Policy Moderate
The guest will receive a refund if the booking is canceled at least 30 days before the start of the stay. If the guest cancels 14-30 days before the start of the stay, they will receive a 50% refund. If they cancel within 14 days of the start of the stay, no refund will be given. All refunds are subject to a credit card fee of up to 3.5%.
Notes Bookings are accepted 365 days into the future. Access is by self-check-in. Low allergen environment. Food and drink: The owners provide guests with a list of recommended local contactless delivery options. Sanitation: The Desert Wave follows strict Sanitation Protocols and abides by the industry's professional sanitation practices. Note: If requested by guests, all linens at the house — including pillows, bath and lounge towels, sheets, kitchen towels, and cotton blankets — are laundered and then sealed in plastic bags at no charge. (This means the bed is not made in advance of your arrival.)

Smoking not allowed Pet's not allowed, but service animals permitted, certification required

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The Wave
1 BR | 2 BA | SLEEPS 3
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from $375 /nt
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