1865 N Berne Dr., Palm Springs, CA

Overview

1865 N Berne Dr., Palm Springs, CA, in the Racquet Club Estates’ neighborhood, is this exceptional 1959 Jack Meiselman residence—a home that captures everything collectors seek in a midcentury modern Palm Springs property. With its distinctive sloped roofline, clerestory windows, and decorative breeze block detailing, this is Meiselman’s most expressive design.

Architectural Presence

The home’s exterior immediately announces its pedigree: that characteristic thin-profile sloping roofline that seems to float above the structure, clerestory windows that create a luminous band of light along the ceiling plane, and iconic breeze block screens that filter desert sun into geometric shadow patterns. These aren’t merely stylistic flourishes—they’re functional design solutions that define the Palm Springs modernist vocabulary.

Glass entry doors dissolve the threshold between arrival and experience, offering immediate views through the home to the pool beyond—a classic midcentury spatial strategy that makes even modest square footage feel expansive and connected to the landscape.

Interior Distinction

The living spaces showcase a masterful balance of original character and thoughtful updates. The dramatic original concrete block fireplace commands attention as a sculptural element, its rough texture and bold geometry contrasting beautifully with the refined lines of the exposed beam ceilings. A wall of windows frames the pool as living art, transforming the backyard into an ever-changing view that animates the interior.

The kitchen has been updated with contemporary finishes—quartz countertops and mosaic tile backsplash—that respect the home’s era while meeting modern expectations. The design maintains the open flow that allows the kitchen to participate in the home’s social life rather than isolating the cook.

Throughout the residence, the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces feels effortless, a testament to Meiselman’s understanding that in Palm Springs, the architecture’s primary role is mediating between conditioned comfort and desert beauty.

The Private Resort

The pool dominates the outdoor experience as it should—properly sized and positioned for both active swimming and languid lounging. The 10,454-square-foot lot provides generous space for intimate moments and large gatherings alike, with room to expand into various zones for dining, conversation, and recreation.

This is the authentic Palm Springs experience: morning coffee poolside, afternoon swims, evening gatherings under the desert stars, all within your private compound.

Racquet Club Estates

Location matters, and this home delivers. Racquet Club Estates represents midcentury Palm Springs at its most sophisticated—a neighborhood shaped by the era’s optimism and elegant living standards. The area’s proximity to downtown dining, shopping, and cultural attractions provides urban convenience, while tree-lined streets and substantial lots ensure residential tranquility.