The Chalet Palms Experience, Barry Berkus’ Vision for Community Living Home Tour Modernism Week 2020 On tour for the first time, a time capsule of midcentury architecture, Chalet Palms in Rancho Mirage invites you to send a Valentine to Barry Berkus! $50 (1 hr)

 

This striking experiment in seasonal desert living has never before been open to the public. Architect Barry Berkus envisioned a small condo community that guarded privacy while celebrating communal living.
 
Guests of this special “Valentine to Barry Barkus” tour will have the opportunity to select a vintage Valentine which they can then enter it into a raffle drawing for a romantic dinner for two at Acqua California Bistro nearby at The River. Also, each guest receives a 60s retro box of Valentine’s Day candy. Our “WHAT WOULD YOU DO?” contest challenges guests to present their concept of renovating a Chalet Palms unit to builder/developer, Basil Collier, who hired the young Barry Berkus, still in his 20s, to design a new concept in gracious desert living. Basil will be poolside to judge the winning concept and present another romantic dinner for two at Acqua California Bistro to the winning designer/architect. Contests winners need not be present, drawings will take place poolside @ 11:45 a.m. Guests are invited to mingle by the pool with models in period swimwear and chat with Basil.