Gas Company Building 211 North Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Designed in 1969 by Palm Desert architect Robert H. Ricciardi, AIA, the Brutalist style building uses rectilinear volumes, deep overhangs, and a flat roof. According to architectural historian Patrick McGrew, “The failure of the imperfect ‘corduroy’ concrete was discovered when the first board forms were removed…but wiser heads prevailed and the imperfections were recognized for the beauty they possess; the building was completed utilizing the ‘imperfect’ process resulting in one of the town’s most memorable buildings.” Originally the location of a subsidiary of the San Diego-based Southern California Gas Company, the building has sat vacant for years.
On July 25, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Gas Company Building.
On July 2, 2024 the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council the approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Gas Company Building.
On March 5, 2024 the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board reviewed the owner’s proposal and unanimously voted to invoke a 120-day stay of demolition pending a review of the building’s historic status.
On February 26, 2024 the current owner of the Gas Company Building submitted a proposal to the city to “transform [the building] into a modern residential home.” Because the building is a Class 3 due to its age, this triggered a review by the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board under PSMC Section 8.05.130.
