ATTACHMENT D
(HSPB Resolution, Report, Minutes)
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 2, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: APPLICATION BY CHRIS KELLER, APPLICANT REPRESENTATIVE,
FOR HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF THE LAURENCE HARVEY
RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 300 WEST MERITO PLACE, (APN 505 -293- 005) CASE: HSPB #180 (SY)
FROM: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY
This request for Class 1 historic designation was submitted by the current owner of the property after discussing future work on the site with staff. 300 W. Merito Place was identified as a Class 3 site eligible for reclassification as a historic landmark based on its existing integrity and associations with the significant individuals and a period of significance that covers single-family residential development during the post war period.
The site retains excellent design integrity , and the period of significance, based on the details found in the report, extend from 1969 to1972.
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 #180, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATE THE “LAURENCE HARVEY RESIDENCE ” LOCATED AT 300 WEST MERITO PLACE, AS A CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE, HSPB #180, (APN #505-293-005).”
BACKGROUND AND SETTING:
The residence was constructed within the Merito Vista tract in the neighborhood currently known as the Old Las Palmas. The original owner, Laurence Harvey, commissioned the architectural firm Buff and Hensman in 1964. The home reflects Late Modern and Mid- century Modern design principles through its post -and-beam construction and strong emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. According to the original building permits, the home
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report June 2, 2026 HSPB-180 – The Laurence Harvey Residence
was completed between 1969- 1970, and Harvey owned the property until 1972.
Subsequent owners have modified certain aspects of the home, but there was a significant restoration completed in 2017 t hat reinstated many elements of the original design intent. This work included the removal of incompatible additions and the restoration of exposed structural detailing.
AERIAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT PARCEL.
WEST (REAR) ELEVATION AND SWIMMING POOL, 2026.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report June 2, 2026 HSPB-180 – The Laurence Harvey Residence
Related Relevant City Actions by HSPB, Planning, Fire, Building, etc.
June, 2026 Site inspection by members of the HSPB and City Staff.
Ownership Status
January, 2019 Purchased by the current owner.
Historic Context Statement “Post-World War II (1945-1969)”
Since the early 1920s, Palm Springs has attracted Hollywood celebrities and entertainment executives, establishing the city as a popular desert retreat. By the 1960s, the presence of prominent entertainers not only helped promote Palm Springs nationally but also contributed to the local economy through investments in businesses and other philanthropic endeavors. Many celebrities became active members of the community and an integral part of the city’s cultural identity.
Context: Post-World War II Palm Springs (1945-1969)
Theme: Post World War II Single-Family Residential Development (1945-1969) Registration Requirements: To be eligible under this theme, a property must:
Date from the period of significance; and
Represent an excellent example of an architectural style or method of construction; or be associated with a significant architect or designer; and Display most of the character-defining features of the property type or style; and
Retain the essential aspects of historic integrity.
Theme: The Influence of the Entertainment Industry (1945-1969) Registration Requirements: To be eligible under this theme, a property must:
Date from the period of significance; and
Represent a known association with an important person or persons in the entertainment industry; 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: Mid-century Modern
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.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report June 2, 2026 HSPB-180 – The Laurence Harvey Residence
ANALYSIS:
A historic resources report (“the report”), site visit, and city documents and forms are the basis of this staff report.
300 W. Merito Place is a custom designed single-family residence located in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood on a 1.35-acre lot. The home was designed in the Late Modern/ Mid-century Modern style by architects Buff & Hensman for the actor Laurence Harvey .
Following its completion around 1969, the home underwent a series of alterations and modifications but was extensively restored in 2017.
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
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:
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report June 2, 2026 HSPB-180 – The Laurence Harvey Residence
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;
The design and construction of the 300 W. Merito Place are directly associated with actor Laurence Harvey, whose acting career spanned approximately from 1946 to 1973. During this period, Harvey achieved international recognition through his work in film and television. As an influential actor who made contributions to his field of work, the residence was designed and constructed during the height of his prominence in the entertainment industry. The report demonstrates Harvey’s active involvement in the design of the home and his decision to build a home in Palm Springs further contributes to the historic context of the entertainment industry’s influence on the city during the postwar era. Based on the findings in the report, Criterion ii is met.
(Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state or local history;
The Harvey Residence exemplifies a period during which architects and designers experimented with new materials and Modernist design concepts . Specifically designed in the Late Modern/Mid- century Modern aesthetic, 300 W. Merito Place incorporates character-defining features such as flat roofs, simple forms, exposed and exaggerated post-and-beam construction, expansive floor -to-ceiling glazing, deep overhangs, and a strong focus on indoor-outdoor living. The integration and design response to the desert environment makes the residence an excellent example of Desert Modernism specific to the Palm Springs region. This home is an important example of the architectural trends and residential development patterns that defined the city during this period. 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 home 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;
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report June 2, 2026 HSPB-180 – The Laurence Harvey Residence
Architects Conrad Buff III and Donald C. Hensman began their practice in 1952 and were later known as Buff Hens man and Associates when they received this commission to design the Laurence Harvey Residence in Palm Springs around 1964. According to the report, this architectural f irm received over 30 awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is credited for the design of Case Study House #20 in Altadena (1958). This firm was nationally recognized for innovative residential design and completed numerous projects during the postwar period in the Southern California region.
Their signature design feature includes the exposed and exaggerated post -and-beam construction with low slung roof forms that accentuate the horizontality of the structures.
Their design influence is recognized through their many projects throughout California, and 300 W. M erito Place is an intact example of their design aesthetic with 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 Laurence Harvey Residence is evaluated based on the following topics of integrity based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards:
Location.
The location of the structures and amenities on the site have not changed from the original design; therefore, the integrity of location is met.
Design.
The design of 300 W. Merito Place exhibits character-defining features of both the Late Modern and Mid- century Modern architecture, as described in the Citywide Historic Context Statement. The residence is composed of one -story structures with flat roofs , simple rectilinear forms, and exaggerated post -and-beam construction. The primary elevation as viewed from the street incorporates a uniform use of masonry cladding, while the deep roof overhangs and expansive glazing further emphasize the M odernist characteristics of the design.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report June 2, 2026 HSPB-180 – The Laurence Harvey Residence
The site design integrates the natural desert landscape, and the structures are arranged in a reverse squared C -shape creating a central courtyard containing the cruciform - shaped swimming pool. The structures on the site consist of the main house, guest house and loggia feature connected to the original pool house. All structures utilize a post-and- beam construction with deep overhangs and large expansive glazing of fixed and sliding doors. The alignment of the posts and beams establish a cohesive architectural composition that creates a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
The original cruciform-shaped swimming pool remains a focal point of the courtyard and visually connects the surrounding structures. Desert landscaping and strategically placed planters help soften the hard lines and reinforce the integration of the design with the natural setting.
The permit records show that a major restoration project was completed in 2017 and included mechanical upgrades , replacement paving materials, and replacement fenestration. These exterior alterations were completed in a manner that complemented the original design and preserves character -defining features. Modifications to the form and layout were limited to areas with limited visibility or impact on the overall composition of the site. Based on these findings, staff finds the integrity design is intact.
Setting.
The home remains situated within its original setting, surrounded by low -density residential development. The structures, pool and tennis court retain their historic spatial relationship on the parcel in the surrounding desert landscape. The integrity of setting is intact.
Materials.
The residence is constructed using building materials that include field stone, exposed post-and-beam structures, expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing and glulam beams throughout the home. Although some original materials, such as the original pavers, have been replaced with new material , a majority of the character-defining primary building materials appear to remain intact, and the fenestration appears to have been replaced in kind. The property retains integrity of materials.
Workmanship.
The field stone walls throughout the residence exhibit a high degree of precision in its execution, and the detailing around each post and beam reflects a strong level of craftsmanship and intentional design. The simple layout of the buildings, the unadorned walls, and clean lines created by the exposed post-and-beam construction highlight the advanced level of workmanship.
Feeling.
The integrity of feeling is retained on the site because the design, setting , and materials convey the characteristics of the Late Modern style of architecture. The site design and the materials reinforce the design intent, and no major deviations or inappropriate alterations draw attention away from the original design.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report June 2, 2026 HSPB-180 – The Laurence Harvey Residence
Association.
The design of the home reflects the original vision of architects Conrad Buff III and Donald C. Hensman and remains associated with the original owner Laurence Harvey. The integrity of association is met.
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 67 of the historic resources report and the staff analysis of important features are listed as follows:
• Site design and placement of structures on the site
• Open front yard planter delineated with a stone retaining wall that abuts the guest house
• A reverse squared C-shaped building footprint organized around a central courtyard and pool area
• Loggia feature connecting the main house to the original pool house (now the guest suite and cabana)
• Post-and-beam structure with carefully detailed column wraps and restored beam trim detail
• Long, linear field stone veneer wall s supporting thin roof overhang profiles are layered to provide a private, human- scale face to the street along with low field stone planter wall
• Flat, deep roof shielding the long runs of operable glazing from the strong sunlight • Deep overhangs create numerous protected/covered outdoor living spaces • Large expanse of exterior glazing and limited interior par titions providing strong indoor-outdoor connection
• Cruciform-shaped swimming pool
• Placement of boulders around the pool
• Original planters shown on the original site plan throughout the exterior locations
Non-contributing elements:
• Front hedging
• Courtyard fence walls
• East-facing northeastern façade
• Rear elevation that faces the tennis/pickleball court • Roof-mounted PV panels
• Terrazzo flooring that extends from the interior to the exterior spaces • Additional spa abutting the north elevation near the guest suite Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report June 2, 2026 HSPB-180 – The Laurence Harvey Residence
• Minor additions to the east elevation of the home that filled areas of the overhang • Mechanical room and storage addition to the north side of the guest suite and cabana structure added in 2024
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.
CONCLUSION:
The Laurence Harvey Residence is a resource in excellent condition that is associated with significant individuals and reflects its period of significance meeting Criterion ii, 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
EXCERPTS OF MINUTES
At the Historic Site Preservation Board meeting of the City of Palm Springs, held June 2, 2026, the Historic Site Preservation Board took the following action:
2A. AN APPLICATION BY CHRIS KELLER, APPLICANT
REPRESENTATIVE, FOR HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF THE
LAURENCE HARVEY RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 300 WEST MERITO
PLACE, (APN # 505-293-005), CASE: HSPB #180, (SY).
Historic Preservation Officer Yoon presented the staff report and answered questions of the board.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No public comments provided.
Motion by Member Herr, seconded by Member Paonessa to adopt a resolution for HSPB #180, that the City Council designate the Laurence Harvey Residence as a historic Class 1 site. This action is not a project pursuant to CEQA.
AYES: Hansen, Bachman, Herr, Paonessa.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Maschka Hitchcock, McCready.