This California home camouflages with its desert surroundings — and seeks a record price for sale

Real Estate

Put ‘em up, pardner!

That is, put up the $4.2 million asking price for this nature-inspired desert home in California’s Pioneertown — and live in a real-life community built in a former Western movie set, one that was developed in 1946 by singing cowboy actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.

This newly built home at 1653 Roadrunner Rut, a listing first reported by Mansion Global, actually sits by its lonesome 7 miles outside Pioneertown’s quaint downtown — and on 10 sprawling High Desert acres abutting the preserved Sand to Snow National Monument.

The two-bedroom, 2,280-square-foot residence, and its HVAC-fitted two-car garage, are designed in harmony with the stark but beautiful surroundings, and humbly blend into the landscape of ancient rocks and hardy trees.

By necessity, the solar-powered home is completely off-grid. What’s more, in an unusual offering, the property comes with an owl house.

Being isolated in the California desert with owls — and a myriad of creatures such as bobcats, mountain lions and golden eagles — as immediate neighbors isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, perhaps. For some, however, it’s ideal.

The residence is flanked by Joshua trees. Berlyn Photography
The property at sunset. Berlyn Photography
Even at dusk, the home still dazzles. Berlyn Photography
A view of the home’s layout, with handsome features including beamed ceilings. Berlyn Photography

“We’re seeing more and more celebrities, artists and finance types moving to the High Desert. It attracts people who want to get out of the city,” said Clayton Baldwin of Kinetic Properties, the property’s co-listing agent, along with Keith Markovitz of TTK Represents of Compass. “You are truly surrounded by nature, with thousands of acres of protected National Monument land contiguous to the property.”

The price tag, if reached, will be a record-breaker for the area.

“The value in High Desert properties is the landscape,” said Markovitz. “Pipes Canyon is sought after; this parcel is among the most attractive I’ve seen. It’s breathtaking and the property allows the land to take center stage in all that.”

Developed by longtime High Desert residents Paul & Wendy Hadley, who bought 40 acres in the mid-1990s and subdivided them into four 10-acre lots, the home’s low-profile cedar-clad exterior leads to an open-plan kitchen and into a living room. The two bedrooms each have ensuite bathrooms, and a powder room serves the living areas.

The kitchen boasts top-of-the-line fittings. Berlyn Photography
The open living and dining area under a vaulted ceiling. Berlyn Photography
A close-up of the dining area, well-lit thanks to massive windows. Berlyn Photography
One of the bedrooms on offer. Berlyn Photography

Top-line modern fixtures, such as a Wolf range, are juxtaposed with antique fittings. Those include reclaimed pendant lamps from a Pennsylvania tank factory, wooden beams salvaged from a Southern California aircraft hanger and antique wood doors imported from India.

The resulting aesthetic is California desert minimalism blended with modern Western rustic-chic. Or as Markovitz put it: “It’s part minimalism and part ‘tie your horse to the hitchin’ post.’”

The main design inspiration, said the agents, is actor Robert Redford’s Sundance Mountain Resort’s lodge in Utah, and the Northern California ghost town of Bodie.

Should homeowners want to switch things up from the ghostly quiet of the High Desert, the famed resort city of Palm Springs is about 35 miles south, and the famous Pappy & Harriett’s saloon in Pioneertown is a mere 10 minutes’ drive away.

“Lizzo, Paul McCartney and so many stars played there,” said Markovitz of the famed desert haunt.

“It feels like true solace,” said Baldwin of the home, “but really it’s just a few minutes’ drive to the market.”

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