Canyon View Estates 

Quorum Article - July 2004

Canyon View Estates #4 is a self-managed condominium association located on leased land in South Palm Springs close to Palm Canyon Drive. Built around 1963, this community is a fine example of the popular mid century design by architects Palmer and Krisel and builder Fey. This is one of seven small communities nestled amongst the mountains and Indian canyons.

These 34 single story units, in duplex and fourplex configuration, feature the interesting use of patterned concrete block walls, varied roof styles, clerestory windows, star-vaulted cathedral ceilings, and walls of glass. The units have two or three bedrooms and are 1,288 or 1,788 square feet. Each unit has a carport, many of which have been converted to a garage. Association amenities include a pool and spa.

In the past few years many of the new homeowners have remodeled their homes completely. There is only one original homeowner at Canyon View Estates #4. However many of the units have been kept in the family from generation to generation. 

Canyon View Estates #4 units were originally marketed as vacation rentals. Even when units were purchased, they were still offered housecleaning services. However, nowadays seventy percent of the unit owners are full time residents. Demand for the units is very high with the smaller homes going for up to $250,000 and the larger up to $350,000.

Canyon View Estates #4 is a mature community and as such is proactively addressing such issues as overgrown plant material and obsolescent equipment. The Association is taking out old growth shrubs and removing some of its trees. In its place are going more lawn and more water efficient desert landscaping and drip irrigation. In addition, the pool equipment is being updated.

For a community on leased land one of the issues that inevitably comes up is lease negotiating. The term of the initial lease for Canyon View Estates #4 does not expire until 2046. However, there are periodic increases in the ground rent. Discussions are under way for such an increase in the fall of 2004.

This condominium association is unusual in that the homeowners are responsible for the roofs and exterior painting of their units. When such maintenance is necessary the Association so advises the individual homeowner, who will then do the work. In the event this does not happen the Association has the right to do the work and back charge the unit owner. This rarely happens. Approved exterior paint is white, but the front doors may be any color. Needless to say, this allocation of maintenance responsibilities has a positive effect on reserve funding and helps explain why the dues at Canyon View Estates #4 are a modest $237.

A five-member Board of Directors manages the community. There is no professional management company but Siebert Accounting does bookkeeping and the Association is running in the black with healthy reserves. The community is too small to warrant the appointment of committees. Says one Board member, “Homeowners are really proud of what they have here and are very helpful.” 

Canyon View Estates #4 residents really enjoy the peace and quiet of a neighborhood that is off the beaten path of traffic but at the same time within the Smoketree Plaza shopping area and close to downtown Palm Springs. Several hotels along Palm Canyon are very convenient as well. 

What do the homeowners think makes it so different?  “It’s so nice to look at the mountains and it’s really pretty, gorgeous and quiet.”