Historic board OKs modern addition to ridge estate, with conditions to protect the 1928 home

The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board approved a large addition to the Edmund Goulding Residence on Tuesday but asked the owner to soften its look to ensure the integrity of the 1928 landmark.

The 5-1 vote came with two conditions, and it went against city staff, who had recommended the owner restudy the design and bring it back. The first condition asks for the color of the new material across the entire addition to be reconsidered to reduce its contrast with the historic house. The second asks the owner to consider bringing historic porch features, such as the balustrade, back to the east-facing terrace.

The estate at 1752 Ridge Road, known in the 1930s as “The Little White House,” became a Class 1 historic site earlier this year. Goulding, who directed “Grand Hotel” and “Dark Victory,” turned it into a retreat for Hollywood stars and European nobility. Owner Lucien Wolff bought the vacant, deteriorating property in 2024.

Wolff wants to restore the buildings, pool and terraced gardens while adding a garage, a kitchen connector, a primary bedroom suite tucked into the hillside and a large terrace over it. He said the original rooms are too small and the upper terrace holds only six to eight people. “The house the way it is is unusable,” he said.

He also said he wants to host gatherings and charity events there. “I see this project as something that people will visit for the next 200 years.”

Board members agreed the house must change but were split on how much. On the street side, several said the darker, earth-toned concrete drew the eye away from the white historic house. On the east side, others said the larger terrace and glass railing erase the porch details that give the garden-facing view its character.

“I just think this elevation, the new, dominates the old too much, and the old is what we’re here to really manage,” one said. Another added, “Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

The design team and the author of the property’s historic report defended the approach. The architect said the muted new material is meant to make the historic house stand out and they have elaborate landscaping plans to restore the original vision.

Several members said they did not want to dictate a redesign. One said approving with conditions would let the project move forward rather than sit and deteriorate.

Because the lot is on a hillside, the project still needs review by the city’s Architectural Review Committee.

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