The Southridge Club Properties Listed For Sale

By: Destination Club News
Date: December 5, 2009

Last month, The Southridge Club, a Palm Springs based destination club, announced that they would be ceasing operations after the owner of the club's three properties wanted to move in a different direction. Rather than pursuing the club option, the properties would be put up for sale.

Each of the three properties have now been listed, totaling over $20,000,000 even in a poor real estate market.

The flagship property for the former destination club has now been listed for sale at a whopping $13,890,000. According to public records, the property was purchased in November of 2003 for $5,500,000 but according to at least one estimate, was valued as high as $30,000,000. "Literally one of THE most architecturally significant homes in all the world. Known as The Elrod House, this John Lautner-designed home was commissioned by designer Arthur Elrod in 1968 and has been featured in numerous books, magazines and museum exhibitions," the listing describes. "It is the iconic home perched at the very tip of the Southridge enclave, easily viewable throughout Palm Springs. Organic shapes, monumental construction and world class design create an extraordinary experience of space that Lautner himself described as ''timeless'' architecture. The 60 ' wide circular living room has a conical dome that fans out in nine petals between nine clerestories angled up to bring in light. Retractable curved glass walls open the entire living room and pool terrace to panoramic views of Mt San Jacinto, Mt San Gorgonio and the full sweep of the valley below and mountain ranges beyond. The very rock of the ridge is incorporated into the design thru out the home. The master bedroom is a world unto itself."

The near 9,000 square foot features five bedrooms and five and one half baths and is most known for making an appearance in the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever.

Also planned to be available to Southridge Club members, The Steve McQueen House has also been listed at a far lower $3,470,000. Next door to The Elrod House, The Steve McQueen House spans nearly 4,500 square feet and still features the original furniture selected for one of Hollywood's leading men. Designed by Hugh Kaptur for Thomas Griffing, the residence features a double door front entrance, four bedrooms, five baths, wet bar, fireplace, and a heated, in-ground pool.

Across the street from the Elrod and McQueen Houses, The Boat House has been listed as the least expensive of the three club homes at a value of $2,890,000. Named for its unique structural design, the 4,400 square foot property was originally created for race car driver James Jeffords. Built in 1992, the residence features "magnificent 270 degree view overlooking all the Coachella Valley and the mountains around it." The 24 foot ceilings and glass walls make the home seem even more spacious than the four bedroom, five bath property seems.

The Southridge Club would limit their membership to just 18 ultra-high net worth individuals who would pay $300,000 for a three year right to use membership. Members would have 10 nights of annual access to all three properties simultaneously, targeting corporations and large families that travel together.

Launched in July of 2009, the club did manage to bring in their first member, a US billionaire, but the properties' owner elected to change his vision for the properties soon after the club began their initial marketing initiatives. With the change in direction, The Southridge Club ceased operations early last month.

Continue to check back frequently to see how these properties fare in today's real estate environment.