Italian village proposed in R.M.

Public Record, The, Jul 24, 1998

RANCHO MIRAGE -- This city and Indian Wells have already established a reputation for attracting the very upper end of the rich and famous (with the notable exception of Palm Desert and its Bighorn projects) so it is no wonder that Rancho Mirage will add another unique project to its stable.

The latest to surface is an eight-acre project above the Whitewiter Wash, overlooking the fairways of both Morningside and Thunderbird.

It is right out of Italy, and will be a virtual re-creation of an Italian village, replete with its "piazza," or downtown gathering area.

To capture its authenticity, the architect, Charles Martin of Palm Desert, went to Italy.

Aside from the unique and old world architecture which will be employed, will be the creation of a lifestyle for the 41 owners that will make them feel a part of the village. Twenty-one of the condos will be free-standing villas and the rest attached.

Two and three bedroom homes in the walled complex, ranging in size from 4,000 to 5,000 square feet, will sell in the $1 to $2 million range. They will be custom built, but three models will provide future buyers some idea of what they can expect.

Work on the models will be started once the necessary approvals can be obtained from the City Planning Department.

James Baker, who has had a furniture manufacturing plant in Indio for 16 years, with the number of employees fluctuating from 30 to 80, is not only the developer but also the owner.

The property was previously owned by Tim Blixseth, who is building a 150-acre estate in the Magnesia Cove, which will include a main house of some 20,000 square feet and four guest houses.

The site for L'Veneto-Italian Villas is a triangular piece of land fronting on Country Club Drive, and east of a Trojan Properties office center.

A public hearing on the EIR was scheduled to be held by the City Planning Commission on Thursday, July 23.