546 N Farrell Dr., Palm Springs, CA

Property Description

This 1960 Meiselman residence embodies the practical modernism that defined Jack Meiselman’s work in Palm Springs. At 1,200 square feet on a quarter-acre lot, the home strikes a balance between intimate living space and generous site—the kind of proportions that made mid-century suburban developments both livable and economically sensible. The architectural detailing, particularly the V-notch tongue-and-groove ceilings with exposed beams, provides visual interest and structural expression without compromising the open, uncluttered interiors that modernism demanded.

The home’s floor plan centers on a strong indoor-outdoor relationship. A spacious rear patio extends the living zone into the desert landscape, while a kidney-shaped pool anchors the recreational space—a playful, organic geometry that sits comfortably within the era’s design vocabulary. Industrial metal fencing defines the rear yard, a practical choice that preserves sightlines and maintains the home’s visual lightness.

Inside, the home has been thoughtfully updated over the decades. This was originally a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, but based on the images and information we have, one of the bedrooms has been opened up to the main living area to create a family room/TV room/den. Ceramic tile flooring runs throughout, providing durability and easy maintenance. The kitchen and bathrooms have been renovated to respect the period character, incorporating modern systems (updated HVAC, foam-coated roof) that extend the home’s practical lifespan. The gas fireplace, while contemporary, sits naturally within the living spaces. Mechanicals are modern: a Miele stacked washer and dryer, a pool robot for maintenance, and a removable pool fence for safety.

Development and Neighborhood Context

Sunmor is a residential neighborhood in central Palm Springs, positioned between downtown and the airport along the Farrell Drive corridor. The area developed in waves during the 1950s and early 1960s, as Palm Springs transitioned from a seasonal resort town to a year-round residential community. Farrell Drive itself became a secondary spine of the city, offering convenient access to commercial zones and transportation routes while maintaining a distinctly residential character.

The Sunmor neighborhood captures the pragmatic side of mid-century Palm Springs development—not the resort enclaves of Tennis Club or Racquet Club, but rather the neighborhoods where young professionals, retirees, and growing families actually lived. Meiselman’s contribution here is modest in scale but significant in type: small, well-proportioned homes that could be built affordably and maintained easily, yet still carried the design sophistication that made modernism so appealing. The quarter-acre lots, like this one, allowed for both privacy and a sense of individual ownership—each home had room for a pool, a patio, and a garden.

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