Redesign and is Now Available for Luxury Vacation Rentals and Special Events
By Chris Martello
The former Palm Springs retreat of the legendary silent film comedian Harold Lloyd can now be rented for the first time for retreats, vacations and special events. Situated in the renowned celebrity hideaway of the Movie Colony in Palm Springs, the meticulously maintained 1-acre estate recently underwent a redesign of the interior main house and guest houses, and a new distinctive Hollywood-inspired photography collection was installed throughout all of the living quarters.
The Lloyd estate was built in 1925 and sits across from the Cary Grant estate in the historic Old Las Palmas neighborhood of the Movie Colony, which was developed in the 1920s with former iconic celebrity residents taking second homes here including Elizabeth Taylor, Kirk Douglas, Katherine Hepburn, Gene Autry, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, Dinah Shore and many other Hollywood stars. The main house and two spacious casitas of the Lloyd estate recently received a redesign that embraces the warm Spanish architecture while highlighting the Asian accents and feng shui elements that were incorporated into the home by previous owners. With 5,100 square feet, the house and casitas have a total of five bedrooms and six bathrooms that can accommodate up to ten guests.
The interiors are glamorous yet quaint and charming at the same time. Entering through ornate doors into a spacious area guests will find intricately hand painted wood beams and hand carved wood décor throughout the house, while featuring the original terracotta tile flooring and colorful art deco bathroom tiles in the unique his-and-hers bathroom off the master suite. There is also an incredible 1,000-bottle wine cellar and tasting room located in the basement via a gorgeous spiral staircase that had to be installed by a crane from atop.
Notably, a carefully curated photography collection is exhibited in each of the main living areas and guest bedrooms, in which each room presents a different theme documenting the Old Hollywood golden era to the Playground of the Stars. With over 100 vintage photographs of digital variants printed from originals, the walls are adorned by Charlie Chaplin, Robert Downey Jr. portraying Chaplin from the 1993 film of the same name, James Dean, Spencer Tracy, Gloria Swanson, Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Veronica Lake, Elizabeth Taylor, Greta Garbo Clark Gable, Lucille Ball, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Alfred Hitchcock, and many others. Additionally, there are Virtual 3D Photographs of modernist architecture, and Lloyd was also one of the first proponents of 3D motion pictures.
French doors off the main house as well as the casitas open out to a spacious and private outdoor grassy area framed by hundred-year old Tamarisk and Eucalyptus trees. There is a salt-water swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and al fresco dining seating for ten, all to be enjoyed under stunning mountain views and a palm tree lined backdrop.
In addition to being available for private vacation rentals, the estate offers a unique setting ideal for special events such as charity galas and fundraisers, weddings, corporate retreats, awards parties, anniversary and birthday party celebrations, and other special occasions. Such functions at the estate can accommodate up to 200 people.
For additional information on the estate and reservations for vacation rentals and special functions, please visit www.lloydestate.com.
