Welcome to Villa Riviera Homeowners Association

Villa Riviera is a small, 30-unit, Mid-Century complex, built in 1967.

While the original plans for Villa Riviera are lost to time, we understand that Villa Riviera and its sister complex, Firebird Estates, were desinged by Don R. Golden & Associates of San Gabrriel, California. We don't know if the builder was the same given that the original sale agent for Firebird sued Firebird's builders, Sam Falzone and Don Hatfield/Firebird Estates, Inc., for unpaid commissions and won. The Villa Series Garden Developments - Villa Riviera, Garden Villa and Villa Roma, was financed by Prudential Savings and Loan.

Advertisements in The Desert Sun for Villa Riviera sales began in mid-1967. Prices started at $24,950 with 6.25% financing offered for 25 years. The units were billed as “garden apartments" and a major selling point was “fee land” - you own the land, it's not leased. Kitchens featured all built-in appliances and Formica countertops. Many units had sunken “Roman bathtubs” in the primary bathroom and all units had refrigerated central air conditioning. The large pool and spa were also major selling features.

Sales, apparently, didn't go so well. By early 1968, the bank decided to rent out the units to get some cash coming in. Orignally, rental rates were advertised in The Desert Sun at $200/month. In early 1969, there was an advertised change of ownership, but the new owners also rented out the units and advertised rents between $250-$275/month. The community was always advertised as “Adults Only" probably to cater to older, retired renters looking for peace and quiet.

In 1974, when economic conditions were better, the bank-owner formed the first homeowners association. An advertisement from The Desert Sun in October 1974 advertised a price of $32,500 with 7.25% APR financing for 30 years. By February 1975, an advertisement stated that only 3 units were remaining with a price of $37,000 for the larger 2 bedroom 2 bathroom units.

The modernist architecture features flat roofs, large overhangs, private open atriums, large private-use front patios, an open floor plan and large sliding-glass doors. The outside comes inside. The complex is made up of 10 buildings, each with 3 units in the shape of a "T". All apartments are 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom floor plans; some floor plans are larger than others.

There is also a pool house/cabana with two bathrooms, storage and a spa equipment room.

Of the ten units that form the base of the “T”, the four corner units are all 2 bedroom/2 bathroom units with a large private atrium forming one wall (with a large sliding glass door) of the primary suite. The six smaller non-corner units forming of the base of the “T” started life as 1 bedroom/2 bathroom units with a large "bonus area" complete with a closet and accordion door to make an extra room when the grandchildren visited. Five of the six units have replaced the accordion doors with a permanent wall to make the bonus area into a proper bedroom. These six smaller units never had atriums.

The twenty units that for the top of the "T" are all the same floor plan with large 2 bedroom/2 bathroom units with private atriums accessed through sliding glass doors in the guest bedroom and primary bathroom. Most these units have their original atriums while some have enclosed their atirums.

All units have washer/gas dryer hookups, large primary bedroom suites, central AC with gas heat and gas hot water. The 24 units with atriums also have/had an auxiliary AC unit for the primary bedroom suite. Many owners have replaced the auxiliary unit with an efficient ductless heat pump.

Water, trash and a cable TV/high-speed internet package are included in HOA dues.

There are covered carports on the east and west sides of the complex accessed from the East Camino Parocela/south side of the complex. Each unit is assigned one covered space. There are several covered guest/visitor spaces too. Permit parking is required for the carports. There are also non-covered, off-street, unassigned parking spaces on the north/Ramon and south/Camino Parocela sides.

The generous 5+ acres of fee land are verdant and lush - something you just don't find in modern developments. We've updated the landscaping to more drought-tolerant and pest-resistant desert plants that are still green and colorful, but need less water and are better-suited to survive the summer heat. Combined with gently rolling topography, the mixture of new and older plants gives many of the front patios a sense of privacy.

Villa Riviera has over 80 old, tall palm trees and lots of citrus trees. Like other complexes across the Coachella Valley, we lost our original grapefruit trees between 2021 and 2023; however we have replaced them with a mixture of full-size grapefruit trees, dwarf and full-size tangelo trees and a Cara Cara navel orange tree. Over the years, we've added dwarf Myers and Lisbon lemon trees and Mexican lime trees that beg you to make cocktails with fresh citrus when the fruit is in season. Villa Riviera is a beautiful oasis in the center of Palm Springs and we love it!

Villa Riviera is located at:

1855 E Ramon Road, Palm Springs CA 92264

We are the middle complex (of 3) on the southeast corner of Ramon Road at Sunrise Way, across the street from Sunrise Park. Firebird Estates (our sister complex) is to our east and The Sunflower is to our west.

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