Kirk Douglas’ old Palm Springs retreat retains its old Hollywood aura

The former estate of actor Kirk Douglas and his wife, Anne, has come to market in the historic Old Las Palmas area of Palm Springs for $3.45 million.

The Midcentury Modern-style home, designed by noted modernist architect Donald Wexler, was built in 1954. The original owner was Robert Howard, the son of Charles Howard, owner of the championship Thoroughbred racehorse Seabiscuit, and his wife, silver screen actress Andrea Leeds.

Douglas bought the property from Howard in the late 1950s and used it as a family retreat before selling it in 1999 for $1.3 million.

Set behind stone walls and gates, the 4,000-square-foot house retains its original vibe. A flagstone and pecky cypress foyer, beamed ceilings and walls of floor-to-ceiling glass give the post-and-beam a vintage look.

Open-plan interiors include a formal sitting area, living and dining rooms and and a classic mirrored wet bar. The kitchen has been updated with granite countertops, custom cabinetry and stainless steel appliances.

Two master bedrooms include “Kirk’s Suite,” with three closets and walls done in denim blue, and “Anne’s Suite,” which has a row of built-ins and a full wall of mirrored closets. Both suites open to rear patios overlooking the grounds.

Another bedroom suite opens to a walled garden atrium. The home has a total of five bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

A patio with an outdoor fireplace, K-shaped saltwater swimming pool and a tennis court fills the three-quarter-acre setting. A tennis pavilion decorated with vintage Kirk Douglas movie posters sits between the court and the pool.

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Douglas, 99, was nominated for three Academy Awards and received an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1996. Among his credits is “Champion” (1949), “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1954) and “Spartacus” (1960).

Jim Schwietz of Bennion Deville Homes holds the listing.

Twitter: @NJLeitereg

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