THE HISTORY
A 1947 masterpiece by William F. Cody, The Del Marcos Hotel set the standard for desert luxury.
Originally commissioned by Samuel and Adele Marcus, The Del Marcos Hotel stands as the first independent work of architect William F. Cody—an early triumph that helped define the desert modernist movement and set the tone for Palm Springs hospitality.
On May 2, 2012, The Del Marcos Hotel was officially recognized as a Class 1 Historic Site by resolution of the Palm Springs City Council—honoring its enduring architectural and cultural significance.
THE LOCATION
HISTORIC TENNIS CLUB NEIGHBORHOOD
Located at 225 West Baristo Road, in the heart of the historic Tennis Club neighborhood near downtown Palm Springs, the 17-room Del Marcos Hotel has remained a sought-after destination since the day it opened. Inspired in part by the desert architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, the hotel quickly drew acclaim and was honored with a creative design award from the Southern California chapter of the American Institute of Architects—celebrated as a bold example of cutting-edge resort design in its era.
THE ARCHITECTURE
Crafted from native stone and redwood, The Del Marcos Hotel wraps around a shimmering central pool, blending natural materials with striking modernist design. Architectural highlights include floor-to-ceiling glass, an organic asymmetrical entryway, and thoughtfully designed suites that reflect both comfort and style. The two-story structure, with a single-story shed roof section on the northeast corner, is arranged in a U-shaped layout around the courtyard—intentionally designed to foster a sense of community and connection among guests.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The images of The Del Marcos Hotel were captured in 1949 by legendary architectural photographer Julius Shulman (1910–2009), whose work profoundly shaped the way modern architecture is understood and appreciated. Over a career spanning five decades, Shulman documented the rise of the modernist movement across Southern California with remarkable clarity, composition, and vision. His thoughtful approach to photography elevated architecture into art, and his images of The Del Marcos Hotel—designed by architect William F. Cody—remain a striking record of mid-century resort design at its finest. Shulman’s archive serves as an enduring testament to the era’s innovation, capturing not just buildings, but the spirit of the time.
All images above are © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)