A Hot Spring To Call Your Own, $1.7M

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Where: 12689 Eliseo Road, Desert Hot Springs
Asking: $1,680,000
What: A small, slightly under-the-radar venue, Sagewater Spa is a classic, updated Mid-Century compound with eight austere rooms and baths, set in an expansive desert landscape and centered around its own natural hot spring.


It’s got a great reputation as a spa, and obviously, the Sagewater is marketed as a hospitality property. As The Agency’s partner Eric Lavey puts it “The Sagewater has long been known in Hollywood and Tech circles as their go-to destination for a low-key and luxurious digital detox – with a classic mid-century modern architectural backdrop. The natural mineral water pool – highly considered for its healing qualities has – at times also been ground zero for more than a few deals closed.”

That’s great, but if you don’t want to be in the hospitality business (perish the thought, seriously) we think it can be re-scripted as an unconventional and unique dwelling in the desert. Not all your friends will understand, but they’ll enjoy the private natural hot spring and pool.

A Little History: Once upon a time, Angelenos trekked out to the Coachella Valley for its curative, lithium-rich hot springs, especially drawn to the town of Desert Hot Springs, where one resort, Two Bunch Palms, has achieved legendary status. They still make the journey, but there was a long hiatus when golf courses reigned supreme and the spas fell into disrepute and disrepair. Now, fewer people play golf, a sport replaced, perhaps, by the pursuit of the pleasure of wellness.

The era of the highball is over, and the default dwelling in sprawling adjacent towns like Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage is fundamentally suburban. There are lawns and water-hungry landscaping and conventional houses ranging from deeply ordinary to crazily fabulous, with some really great architecture thrown in. It’s become (again) a very popular resort destination and retirement community, with a lot of lucky telecommuting permanent residents in the mix.

What We Love: A small, self-contained compound like Sagewater could allow you to shed the ordinary, with the potential as a private (or even communally shared) retreat, with each room serving its own purpose– an office, a media room, master suites, a guest room, a studio, a gym. Unconventional, yes, but intentional, flexible, and centered around the natural hot spring and pool (we’ve never actually seen a listing in Palm Springs that includes a private natural hot spring) plus there’s no lawn.

Kudos to the current owners for their (seemingly) effortless job of restoration and attention to detail. You can literally move right in, although some might feel the need to add a garage or expand one of the eight kitchenettes. Downtown Palm Springs is only minutes away.


More: Go to the listing for additional details and images. Represented by Eric Lavey and Marc Sanders at The Agency.