Palm Springs’ most recognizable housing stock consists mostly of midcentury modern ranches designed by storied architects that include Donald Wexler, Albert Frey, and Charles E. DuBois, and famous for their floor-to-ceiling windows, horizontal lines, and open floor plans.
However, the area is also home to a handful of “rare and storied” properties that may be lesser known but are arguably among the most architecturally interesting dwellings found in the California community—and in all of the Golden State.
Known as the “rock houses,” the four clustered properties were all hand-built by architect R. Lee Miller in the 1920s.
Now, one of those stone houses, which was built in 1929 and is now known as Casa Contenta, has hit the market for $1.5 million, providing an incredibly rare opportunity to own a piece of Palm Springs design history.
Listed with Jason Cochran and Craig Chorpenning of Desert Sotheby’s International Realty, the “rare treasure” boasts hand-carved doors, stone walls and mosaic stone floors born out of locally sourced jewel-toned rocks, not to mention a concealed room hidden behind a bookcase.
The thick masonry construction was inspired by Hopi and Navajo pueblos, and while the dwelling has undergone many renovations and restorations, the bulk of its original—and most unique—design features remain, including two fireplaces and a Dutch door in the kitchen that leads to the outdoor area.
Much of the most recent restoration was carried out by the home’s current owners, Peter Dyakowski, a former Canadian Football League offensive lineman and one-time winner of CBC’s “Canada’s Smartest Person,” and Alex Dyakowski, who bought the property for just $625,000 in 2024—well below it’s initial $1.1 million asking price.
Soon after closing on that purchase, they launched into a major renovation, investing $400,000 to $500,000 in improvements.
Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems were upgraded, air conditioning installed, and new appliances and an electric-vehicle charger added. Windows were also re-paned. A new roof was installed in 2022 by previous owners.
“The windows were broken out. There was no heating or air conditioning, and no drainage. When it would rain, it would flood the property,” recalls Cochran.
Included with the listing are three structures: a one-bedroom, two-bath casita and two detached casitas, each with an en-suite bath. Previously, these structures were more like studios and less like living spaces. Also on the property is a stock-tank outdoor pool.
Another perk is the gorgeous Coachella Valley views, particularly from the rooftop.
“Most of Palm Springs is flat and you don’t get the views you’d get in the Hollywood Hills. It’s rare to have a property with skyline views of the city and the mountains,” Cochran adds.
The property’s recent glam glow-up was so spot-on that it earned Class One Historic Landmark status from the city of Palm Springs.
“It’s a little bit like glamping,” says Cochran, noting that while you might be “living in a historical home” in a rural area, the property still boasts proximity to nearby bars and restaurants.
Downtown Palm Springs is only four miles away, and hiking trails are adjacent. The property is also near Indian Canyons Golf Resort and Moorten Botanical Garden.
Cochran hopes to find a buyer who fully appreciates that remoteness but still wants to be close to the action.
“Someone really creative would love this, like an artist or an author. It kind of feels like a little compound. This isn’t really like any other property in Palm Springs. It’s an escape within an escape,” Cochran says, referring to the region’s attraction as a vacation-home destination.
“It’s really attractive to someone who wants to be away from it all. We also thought the buyer could be a corporate person looking for a retreat.”
Also, for a buyer who wants to use this as a short-term rental, that’s already been approved, and is quite uncommon for Palm Springs’ Class One properties. The next steward would also be eligible for potential Mills Act tax benefits in exchange for preservation.
In 2024, a neighboring stone house also designed by Miller sold for $599,000.
