See colorful, modern ‘Fan Fave’ California home built by a Marx Brothers’ son: $4.8M
A colorful California home with surprises in nearly every room — voted “fan favorite” at Palm Springs Modernism Week — is on the market for $4.8 million, according to Keller Williams real estate firm.
Built in 1962 by the son of Gummo Marx, one of the Marx Brothers, the Hollywood Regency-style home charms at every turn with big rooms, a bright pool, purple rugs, pink wallpapers, guitar displays and a retro Beatles drum set. Known as Villa del Leone, the 4,278-square-foot residence sits on a gated and walled lot of nearly a half-acre with magnificent mountain views and no telephone poles, the listing notes.
The Old Las Palmas estate is dramatic from the start with original carved double entry doors, framed by two water fountain urns, opening into a hallway wall of unfinished marble “that is also the backdrop for the living room fireplace,” according to the listing.
Floor to ceiling glass walls give unobstructed views of the pool and mature landscaping. Roman pillars surround a pool terrace. Throughout the inside, there is museum-quality lighting highlights the owner’s art collections.
“The home is classic Hollywood Regency and made for entertaining,” according to the listing for the home at 466 Camino Sur.
The home “has been transformed into a combination museum of pop art, historic artifacts and Hollywood glamour,” writes toptenrealestatedeals.com. “As colorful as the city’s popular Silent Disco Tour, the home has been designed and decorated for conversation, fun and entertainment.”
One the four bedrooms have been converted into an office and another one into a state-of-the-art sound studio. The ‘‘British Room’‘ features pop art, a vintage racing motorcycle collection and union jack carpet. The large dining room sits under a concave dome ceiling with a vintage chandelier.
The sellers are interior decorator Karen Haines, founder and CEO of Spa Girls Cocktails, and her husband is Chris Haines of Chris Haines Motorcycle Adventure Company, according to toptenrealestatedeals.com.
Most of the artwork is for sale, too, separate from the listing, according to the The Press-Enterprise of Palm Springs.
The primary bedroom looks outs out at the pool and features a large bath/shower area, dual vanities and lots of closet space.
The gourmet kitchen is a delight, as well.
John Campbell of Keller Williams Luxury Homes in Rancho Mirage is the listing agent.
The Old Las Palmas neighborhood is a celebrity enclave. Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Kris Jenner, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Cary Grant, Kirk Douglas and Leonardo DiCaprio and been homeowners in the desert community.
Villa del Leone was part of the Signature House Tour during Palm Springs Modernism Week, according to The Press-Enterprise, winning “fan favorite” in 2015.
The Marx Brothers comedy group performed together from 1905 until 1949. Bob Marx, son of Gummo Marx and nephew of Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo, was was born in 1930.
