Written by Preservation Mirage
Congratulations to The Springs, one of Rancho Mirage’s most prestigious 1970s resort communities, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Plans for the community were announced in 1973 in The Desert Sun: a “$75 million planned residential community which will eventually contain 862 residential units,” a combination of condominiums and fairway estate homes, spread around an 18-hole golf course, numerous swimming pools, tennis courts, and, of course, a central clubhouse. Partners in the project were Edwin C. Johnsen, a successful California developer, and the Equitable Life Assurance Company. Limited partners included Irwin Schuman and Mark Schuman, who owned the original land for The Springs development. Irwin Schuman had already made his mark on the valley with the Chi-Chi Club and the Riviera Hotel.
According to the club’s newsletter, the name “The Springs” was inspired by entertainment industry insiders referring to their weekend trips to Palm Springs as “The Springs.” The name stuck. Street names were chosen by Edwin Johnsen and used university and college names, making it easier for emergency services to identify locations.
In 1974, the developers announced plans for the clubhouse, designed by William L. Rudolph, AIA, of Los Angeles. He stated, “We have received a directive to design the finest clubhouse possible for The Springs Club.” The clubhouse was to be a 25,000 sq. ft., one-story structure with every conceivable amenity.
“Design of the exterior will be in keeping with the residences at The Springs… a lagoon at the entrance will serve as an ever-present reminder of The Springs.” Rudolph was selected “because of his firm’s association with the finest luxury developments,” which included the Acapulco Princess—a massive Mayan-inspired resort that opened in 1971 and operates today—along with Princess developments in Bermuda and Portugal.
One resident is also celebrating 50 years at The Springs: Ardith Marguleas. Ardith is one of Preservation Mirage’s best supporters and a long-term resident of Rancho Mirage, having moved to the area in the late 1950s with her husband, Howard Marguleas, who was a leader in the U.S. produce industry. If you’ve eaten seedless watermelons, sweet peppers, or grapes, chances are they were from Howard’s Sun World brand. She explains: “I chose The Springs in 1975 mainly for its location, as Howard’s work was in Thermal and I loved Palm Springs at that time. We needed four bedrooms with four kids. Now, I love it here for the beauty of the clubhouse and my walks with those very wide streets, and smelling the grapefruit blossoms. I did use the tennis courts in the beginning, and now we have so much more to offer. It still is the best location in the desert!”
According to the club’s newsletter, “By the early 1980s, all homes were sold and the property was transferred to its members.” Today, The Springs remains one of the original private clubs in the Coachella Valley.
