Palm Springs is known for its beautiful examples of mid-century architecture. One of the best is known as the “House of Tomorrow.” Built-in 1960, it is considered a mid-century modernism icon. It is also the house that Elvis and Priscilla Presley spent their honeymoon in after their secret marriage in 1967. SoCal Scene Correspondent Alison Martino explores the architecture and shares its history.

Laura Ochoa knows the house very well, as she leads tours for people coming to experience the mid-century style house that looks very space-age. Before Elivs moved into his “Honeymoon Hideaway,” original owners Robert and Helene Alexander were known as very “Palm Springs.” A tragic plane crash took the owners away from their home, causing it to have a new beginning. 

Elvis and Priscilla wanted to get married by the pool and eventually purchase the Palm Springs house, but a nosey neighbor foiled their plans, as she happened to be a gossip columnist. Though the house’s history involving Elvis is fascinating, so is the architecture itself. 

Member of the Palm Springs Modern Committee, Chris Menrad, wrote a book on the architectural giant who built the home, William Krisel. Krisel was in charge of everything about the house: from landscaping to the shape of the pool. The house represents an era of optimism, according to Menrad. 

The Palm Springs home is open for socially distanced tours. Visit elvispalmspring.com for more information.