CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 12, 2025 PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: AN APPLICATION BY REST AREA LLC FOR HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF “THE RUBIN BUILDING” LOCATED AT 457 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (APN 513-082-007), CASE HSPB #167
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY:
The new owner of this mixed-use building has submitted a request to designate 457 N.
Palm Canyon Drive as a Class 1 historic site. Named after the furrier from Beverly Hills who commissioned the building, the Rubin Building was designed by architect Albert Raymond Walker in 1946. The original design arranged the commercial spaces along an open arcade on the ground floor, with residential units located on the second floor. This building typology embodies the growing population of Palm Springs during the early postwar period. The building is a unique example of Regency Revival architecture in the city’s commercial core distinguished by its Neoclassical elements, symmetry, and decorative motifs.
If designated as a historic resource, the property would be subject to the regulations outlined in Section 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC).
The Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) and staff evaluated the application in accordance with the historic designation ordinance and applicable state/federal regulations and determined it qualifies as a Class 1 (Landmark) historic site.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Open the public hearing and receive public testimony. 2) Close the public hearing and adopt Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,
DESIGNATING THE RUBIN BUILDING LOCATED AT 457 N. PALM CANYON DRIVE, AS A CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #167, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN 513-082-007).”
City Council Staff Report
November 12, 2025 – Page 2
Historic Designation – The Rubin Building
BACKGROUND AND SETTING:
The attached historic resources report, prepared by Pamela Daly of Daly & Associates (“the report”), and site visits are the basis of this staff report.
Related Relevant City Actions by HSPB, Planning, Fire, Building, etc.
October, 2025 Site inspection by members of the HSPB and City Staff.
October 7, 2025 HSPB considered the application for designation at a public hearing recommending Class 1 designation.
Ownership Status
March, 2025 Purchased by current owners.
EAST (FRONT) ELEVATION FROM NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, 2025.
The historic designation request was submitted by the owners, and the historic resources report supports the reclassification of the site as a Class 1 landmark. Staff and the HSPB made the findings to recommend Class 1 designation.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS:
The analysis of the application relative to the criteria for the designation of historic resources is detailed in the attached HSPB resolution and staff report dated October 7, 2025. In order to be designated a historic landmark, a resource must exhibit exceptional historic significance and meet one or more of the criteria listed in PSMC Section
8.05.070.C.1.a. The Board made findings in support of Class 1 (Landmark) designation
City Council Staff Report
November 12, 2025 – Page 3
Historic Designation – The Rubin Building
based on the following criteria:
PSMC 8.05.070, (C,1,Part a). The site, structure, building, or object exhibits exceptional historic significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
(Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state, or local history;
(Criterion v) The resource presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age, or that possesses high artistic value;
Pursuant to PSMC 8.05.070, (5,C,1,Part b); “Historic Integrity” the HSPB made findings that The Rubin Building possesses sufficient historic integrity to qualify as a Class 1 (Landmark) historic site.
During the October 7, 2025 HSPB meeting, the Board voted in favor of reclassifying the mixed-use building as a Class 1 site based on its historic merits and integrity.
CONCLUSION:
The Rubin Building meets the definition of a historic resource based on Criterion 3 and 5 of the Palm Springs Historic Preservation Ordinance. The property possesses integrity to qualify as a Class 1 (Landmark) site. The HSPB recommendation to the City Council reflects these findings which are outlined in the attached draft City Council resolution.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The proposed historic resource designation is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical changes to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTIFICATION:
Pursuant to Section 94.09.00 (Public Hearing) of the Palm Springs Zoning Code, notice has been mailed to all property owners and residents within five hundred (500) feet of the subject property and notice was published in a newspaper of general circulation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
City Council Staff Report
November 12, 2025 – Page 4
Historic Designation – The Rubin Building
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Christopher Hadwin
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Vicinity Map.
B. Draft Resolution.
C. Application, related background materials, photos.
D. HSPB resolution, staff report, minute excerpt.