A masterful restoration brought architect Albert Frey’s design back to its original mid-century glory. A massive chimney made of native stone anchors the home to its sloping site while a distinctive lightweight deck, clad in striking yellow fiberglass, offers contrast and connects the interior living space with the surrounding landscape.
For years, curious travelers driving on State Route 111 through Southern California’s Coachella Valley marveled at the dramatic profile of a hillside home, its massive stone chimney and deck perched high above the desert floor. This was all that most people ever saw of Albert Frey’s 1955 Cree House, as it remained closed to the public for most of its existence.
In 2019, after a more than yearlong restoration of the architect-designed home, visitors finally got to tour this midcentury gem at Palm Springs Modernism Week. Read on to see more of “The Forgotten Frey” and learn about its inception, innovative design and renovation.
Tours of the renovated architect-designed home are offered during Palm Springs Modernism Week
(Top photo by Lance Gerber)
