Bob Hope’s Iconic Palm Springs Home Fetches $13M—Far Less Than Its Original $50M Ask

Published: November 22, 2016 | By: American Luxury Staff

Few houses are as iconic of bygone Hollywood as Bob and Dolores Hope’s sprawling home in Palm Springs. Likened variously to a mushroom, volcano, and UFO, the home embodies the spirit of a popular consciousness still only recently thrust into space, and seems the culmination of architectural ideas that were born out of atomic age sci-fi. It might be considered an early example of blobism.

It’s not only aesthetically ambitious, either. Its living spaces measure about 23,000 square feet. Hope himself likened it to a football stadium. So, if you do the math, the selling price of $13 million shakes out to a pretty reasonable $565 a square foot. Not bad, considering the house was originally listed at $50 million in 2013.

Hunkering on 6.2 acres, the sense of space within is a little daunting; it seems to demand that a personality the size of Hope’s inhabit it. Built by staunch Modernist architect John Lautner, the house was constructed in 1979, and is the largest home he designed. Disputes with his client may have made it seem like his longest project, as well; Hope and his architect apparently had creative differences.

Boasting 10 bedrooms, 13 full or partial baths, a massive center skylight, and a wave-like copper roof, the home may not be cozy, but it’s certainly striking, and walls filled with windows offer views of valley and city. Estate amenities include a picturesque pond, landscaped waterfall, lawn, pool, tennis court, and large pavilion expansive enough to entertain hundreds.

Known as a consummate entertainer, Bob Hope was one of the most influential comedians and comic actors of the last century. His career began in vaudeville, and evolved along with radio, film, and television; his comic timing is still regarded as perfection. He influenced many comedians who followed in his path, among them satirists as diverse as David Letterman, George Carlin, Robin Williams and Stephen Colbert. He passed away in 2003, his centenary year.

 

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