ATTACHMENT D
(HSPB Resolution, Report, Minutes)
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 3, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: APPLICATION BY DEZART PERFORMS FOR HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF THE “FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST ” LOCATED AT 605 SOUTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE , (APN 50 8-191-030) CASE: HSPB #170 (SY)
FROM: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY
The First Church of Christ Scientist is an excellent example of a religious building designed in the Mid-century Modern style by the notable architectural firm Clark, Frey & Chambers. The period of significance for this property is 1956-1968.
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.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Open the public hearing and receive public testimony.
2. Close the public hearing and adopt Resolution HSPB #170, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATE THE “FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST” LOCATED AT 605 SOUTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE , AS A CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE, HSPB #170, (APN #508-191-030).”
BACKGROUND AND SETTING:
Based on the building permit history, the church was first complete d in 1956 with subsequent additions made to the building in 1961 and 1968. These additions were designed by Albert Frey, therefore, maintaining a high degree of design compatibility with the 1956 structure. Since its completion, the property remained under single ownership until 2024, with only minor exterior alterations associated with general maintenance and mechanical upgrades.
This property is currently identified as a Class 3 site on the local inventory, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2016.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report March 3, 2026 HSPB-170 – First Church of Christ Scientist
AERIAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT PARCEL.
EAST ELEVATION FROM SOUTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE, 2024.
Related Relevant City Actions by HSPB, Planning, Fire, Building, etc.
March, 2026 Site inspection by members of the HSPB and City Staff.
Ownership Status
December, 2024 Purchased by the current owner.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report March 3, 2026 HSPB-170 – First Church of Christ Scientist
Historic Context Statement “Post-World War II (1945-1969)”
During this post -war period, many civic and institutional buildings were constructed throughout the city including City Hall (HSPB #33), Fire Station #1 (HSPB #39) and the Palm Springs Airport (HSPB #70). These projects clearly demonstrate the growth that was occurring at this time and the influence of prominent architects and designers working in Palm Springs.
Context: Post-World War II Palm Springs (1945-1969)
Theme: Post World War II Civic and Institutional Development (1945-1969) Registration Requirements: To be eligible under this theme, a property must:
Date from the period of significance; and
Reflect important civic or institutional development from the period; or Represent an excellent example of an architectural style or property type; and
Display most of the character-defining features of the property type or style; and
Retain the essential aspects of historic integrity.
Context: Architectural Styles & Local Practitioners
Theme: Modern Styles of the Post-World War II Era
Sub-theme: Desert Modernism
Registration Requirements: To be eligible under this theme as an excellent example of its architectural style, a property must:
Retain most – though not necessarily all – of the character-defining features of the style, and continue to exhibit its historic appearance If important for illustrating a particular architectural style or construction technique, must retain most of the physical features that constitute that style or technique.
ANALYSIS:
A historic resources report (“the report”), site visit, and city documents and forms are the basis of this staff report.
605 S. Riverside Drive is a curved corner site with the building surrounded by desert landscaping to the north and the parking lot wrapping around the east, south , and west sides of the building. The property is adjacent to multi-family residential buildings and small hotel s, with the Tahquitz Creek Channel watercourse area located immediately north of the site.
Historic Preservation activities in Palm Springs are regulated under Municipal Code Section 8.05 (“ Historic Preservation” ). The purpose of the Historic Preservation Ordinance is:
“…to stabilize and improve buildings, structures or areas which are considered to be of historical, architectural, archaeological or ecological Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report March 3, 2026 HSPB-170 – First Church of Christ Scientist
value, to foster civic beauty, to strengthen the local economy and to promote the use of historic resources for the education and welfare of the citizens.”
Conditions that apply to Class 1 historic sites or resources:
1. It shall meet the definition of a historic site as outlined in Municipal Code Section
8.05.020.
2. An archival file shall be maintained on the property by the City.
3. It may be qualified as ‘historic’ at the federal, state, and/or county level.
4. A marker explaining the historic nature of the site may be installed in a location viewable from the public way.
5. Compliance with all rules and regulations for Historic Resources and Historic Districts under Chapter 8.05 of the Municipal Code.
6. If designated, the findings in support of designation shall be stated in a resolution of the City Council that shall be recorded with the County Recorders’ office within 90 days of the effective date of the Council’s resolution.
Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.070 (C,1,a), the HSPB shall evaluate the application and make findings in conformance with the following criteria:
Criteria for the Designation of Class 1 Historic Resources. A site, structure, building or object may be designated as a Class 1 historic resource, provided both of the following findings (“a” and “b”) are met:
a. The site, structure, building or object exhibits exceptional historic significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
The following is an analysis of the criterion and integrity findings for historic designation.
(Criterion i) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community;
No information was found in the report indicating a ny significant events occurred on this site. The site does not qualify under Criterion i.
(Criterion ii) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
Based on the report and chain of title, the site remained under church ownership until 2024. The new owner, Dezart Performs, intends to operate the site as a performance venue and community space . While both owners demonstrate meaningful uses for the community, the research does not support Criterion ii.
(Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state or local history;
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report March 3, 2026 HSPB-170 – First Church of Christ Scientist
During the Post-war period between 1945-1969, the city was experiencing unprecedented growth reflected in the number of new r esidential subdivisions and commercial developments built during this time. The First Church of Christ Scientist, classified as institutional development, was one of several religious buildings constructed during this period to meet the needs of the growing population.
The selection of utilitarian building materials, simple forms, and a design that responds to the desert environment are all important characteristics that embody the Mid-century Modern initiative. Locally identified as Desert Modernism, the use of deep overhangs, clerestory windows, concrete blocks and aluminum -framed fenestration resulted in a simple yet responsive design that clearly exemplified the movement . This architectural style was adopted for many civic buildings . Other distinctive characteristics include unadorned exterior surfaces, concrete block wall construction, and compositions with oblique angles instead of a strict grid layout.
As an example of an institutional building demonstrating the local development patterns and its strong association with the Desert Modernist movement, Criterion iii is met.
(Criterion iv) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction;
Palm Springs evaluates criterion iv as a distinctive characteristic associated with construction type, construction period, and construction methods. The construction of the church appears to utilize conventional methods and materials. Criterion iv is not met.
(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;
The architectural firm Clark, Frey & Chambers is credited for designing the First Church of Christ Scientist building, but the report and the National Register nomination further clarifies that this building was designed as a collaborative effort between Albert Frey and Robson Chambers. The later additions are attributed to Frey and many design elements support this association. After training in Europe under Le Corbusier, Frey moved to the United States and practiced architecture in the Coachella Valley for sixty years. He adapted Modernist principles to respond to the desert environment and is considered one of the of the main contributors to the Palm Spring School and Desert Modernism. 1 Frey’s
work in Palm Springs extends from civic projects to single-family residential homes. The First Church of Christ Scientist is a rare example of a religious property he designed that fully embodies Desert Modernism ideals.
By 1956, Robson Chambers became a partner at the firm and was involved in many influential projects like the Palm Springs City Hall building. Although it is difficult to determine the level of contribution Chambers made to the design of 605 S. Riverside
1 Alan Hess, The Palm Springs School: Desert Modernism 1934-1975, (Rizzoli, 2025).
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report March 3, 2026 HSPB-170 – First Church of Christ Scientist
Drive, reports confirm he was actively involved in the process.
Both architects are valued for their individual genius and the building itself possesses high artistic value. Criterion v is met.
(Criterion vi) The resource represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction, as used in evaluating applications for designation of historic districts, for parcels on which more than one entity exists; or
The resource is not within a historic district and does not qualify under Criterion vi.
(Criterion vii) The resource has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to national, state or local history or prehistory.
No information is available on any pre-historic significance of the site. Criterion vii is not met.
Analysis of Integrity. (PSMC 8.05.070 (C,1,b). The site, structure, building or object retains one or more of the following aspects of integrity, as established in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards: integrity of design, materials, workmanship, location, setting, feeling, or association.
The First Church of Christ Scientist is evaluated based on the following topics of integrity based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards:
Location.
The building’s location has not changed from the original design; therefore, the integrity of location is met.
Design.
The design emphasizes utilitarian aesthetics, simple forms , and durable building materials. The primary entrance is positioned where the street curves on the north side, and concrete sidewalks lead up to the elevated open space in front of the main doors .
This space is hardscaped with concrete pavers and elevated on top of an area created by gravel-filled retaining walls. A deep roof overhang supported on thin metal poles covers the north-facing glazing. The repeating patterns of the floor-to-ceiling fenestration on this elevation is a character-defining feature. The shed roof over the main auditorium slopes southward and clerestory windows are located on the east elevation to bring light into that space. On the east elevation, there is a terrarium screened by a concrete block wall with decorative horizontal openings. The later additions designed by Frey have flat roofs and continue the use of stucco and terra cotta colored concrete blocks in a stack bond pattern.
The transition between building materials shows clean lines and helps accentuate the articulation of the building. Lastly, vehicular circulation enters the site from the street along the east side and proceeds toward the southern exit, which reconnects back to the street.
There are also head-in parking spaces located along a portion of the west elevation. The site plan clearly anticipated vehicular travel to the site, but a strong pedestrian experience Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report March 3, 2026 HSPB-170 – First Church of Christ Scientist
was created around the north entrance. The overall aesthetic and the use of conventional materials like concrete blocks and aluminum-framed fenestration to create visual interest is a design trait indicative of Frey. The integrity of the original design is intact.
Setting.
The setting surrounding the site has evolved over time. The open space to the west has since been infilled with residential development ; however, the curved street pattern, the watercourse, and the small hotels and multi-family buildings immediately to the east and south remain intact.
Materials.
The building materials selected to construct this building are durable to withstand the hot and arid climate and create a utilitarian appearance. The walls are finished in stucco or sandblasted concrete blocks stacked in a bond pattern, and the windows are aluminum- framed where some areas extend from the floor to the ceiling. Slender steel posts support the deep overhangs above the primary entrance, and the concrete blocks are used as screening material on certain elevations. The integrity of materials remains extant.
Workmanship.
The addition of roof-mounted mechanical equipment, screening, and surface-mounted conduit detracts from the simplicity of the design in areas; however, most of the building largely retains its integrity of workmanship. I ts oblique angles and clean transition s between exterior building materials continue to reflect a high level of workmanship and attention to detail.
Feeling.
The historic character of the property remains intact because the design and material integrity of the site remains in good condition with little to no deviations to the mass and scale of the building.
Association.
The site’s association to Desert Modern as an institutional building from the 1950s is apparent due to the maintained integrity of the original design. Architectural features like the concrete block s, aluminum clad fenestration and deep overhangs are closely associated with the designs of Frey and Chambers. The integrity of association remains visible.
DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS:
In considering a recommendation for historic resource designation it is important to distinguish those physical elements that are original or from the period of significance from alterations, additions or features that were added later . Distinguishing original character-defining features from non-original elements assists the HSPB when it is tasked with evaluating future alterations to the historic resource.
Character-defining features on page 13 of the historic resources report and the staff analysis of important features are listed as follows:
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report March 3, 2026 HSPB-170 – First Church of Christ Scientist
• Modern unadorned utilitarian design
• Sandblasted terra-cotta-colored concrete block arranged in stack bond pattern • Foyer with north-facing floor to ceiling windows and entry doors • Flat roof covering foyer and boardroom
• Slender metal pipe posts supporting flat roof
• Metal fascia
• Board room addition (1961)
• Shed roof covering auditorium
• Clerestory windows punctuating auditorium’s west elevation • Terrarium enclosed with concrete block with horizontal openings on east elevation • West elevation addition (1961)
• Aluminum-framed metal mesh west-facing windows
• Rear (south) addition (1968)
• Terra-cotta-colored stack bond pattern concrete block retaining walls fronting north sidewalk that enclose planters with mature olive trees
• Concrete steps leading to main entrance with metal pipe railings • Perforated concrete block wall on east elevation sheltering interior planter
Non-contributing elements:
• Recessed wooden screen atop rear addition screening the roof mounted air handling equipment
• Recessed metal screen above the foyer shielding the roof -mounted air handling equipment
• Parking lot light fixture with electrical conduit attached to the surface of the east elevation
• Electrical conduit attached to the west elevation
• Metal rain gutters attached to board room on the north elevation
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 8.05.140 of the Municipal Code of Palm Springs, all residents within five hundred (500) feet of the subject property have been notified and notice was published in a newspaper of general circulation.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report March 3, 2026 HSPB-170 – First Church of Christ Scientist
CONCLUSION:
The First Church of Christ Scientist is an exceptional resource that clearly reflects its period of significance by meeting criterion iii and v; therefore, staff recommends Class 1 designation which recognizes the site as a local historic landmark.
PREPARED BY: Sarah Yoon, Associate Planner/Historic Preservation Officer REVIEWED BY: Anthony Riederer, Assistant Director of Planning Services
Attachments:
A. Vicinity Map
B. Draft Resolution
C. A pplication
D. National Register Nomination Form
EXCERPTS OF MINUTES
At the Historic Site Preservation Board meeting of the City of Palm Springs, held March 3, 2026, the Historic Site Preservation Board took the following action:
2A. AN APPLICATION BY DEZART PERFORMS FOR HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST LOCATED AT 605 SOUTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE, (APN: 508-191-030) CASE: HSPB #170, (SY).
Historic Preservation Officer Yoon presented the staff report and answered questions of the board.
Motion by Member Herr, seconded by Member Paonessa to adopt a resolution for HSPB #170, that the City Council designate The First Church of Christ Scientist as a historic Class 1 site. This action is not a project pursuant to CEQA.
AYES: Hansen, Herr, Paonessa, Maschka Hitchcock
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Bachman, McCready.
ABSTAIN: Moruzzi.