A modern take on the iconic West House
Celebrities have long gravitated to desert hideaways in Palm Springs, a city known as much for its mountain views as for its extraordinary concentration of mid-century modern architecture.
In 1970, Adam West, TV’s original Batman, purchased a home in the exclusive Old Las Palmas neighborhood. Built in 1954 and later restored by architect Albert Frey, the property quickly became one of Palm Springs’ prized residences, known simply as the West House.
A reverent reimagining
Esteemed local interior designer Michelle Boudreau led a full-scale renovation of the landmark property to bring contemporary living while honoring Frey’s modernist ethos. Prized details that remain include the stone courtyard, double-door entry foyer, and storied sunken wet bar with a pass-through to the outdoor lounge.
For the refreshed interiors, Boudreau emphasized clean, modern curves and subtle reeded details, architectural gestures that nod to the home’s “Bat Cave” past. Warm woods wrap the rooms in texture and depth, while vintage and custom furnishings, paired with striking millwork, create a dialogue between old Hollywood glamour and modern design. Throughout the home, premium materials and finishes from partners like Monogram appliances, Brizo fixtures, and Dunn-Edwards Paints elevate both form and function. The result is a bespoke three-bedroom retreat that feels both historic and entirely of the moment. Even the exterior palette received a dramatic reimagining, now finished in jet black, a fitting nod to its superhero heritage.
From Bat Cave to boudoir
One of the home’s most distinctive architectural spaces, the 1,200-square-foot poolside primary suite, features cork flooring, dual baths, a fireside lounge, and a walk-through closet. Originally designed by Frey as a long galley of built-in cabinetry, the closet was both practical and unconventional. To update the existing layout, Boudreau collaborated with California Closets to transform the ample storage into a true showpiece. Sleek doors conceal generous hanging space and shelving, while ten open drawers deliver a streamlined design that maximizes organization. At each end, hidden hampers add discreet utility without interrupting the luxe aesthetic.
Grounded glam
Boudreau selected California Closets’ Linen — a warm, textured option that mimics the look of the eponymous textile — with complementary birch-ply drawer boxes. Brass hanging poles and belt racks are paired with baroda marble hardware to echo the primary bedroom’s green-and-brass palette. The circular and spherical hardware subtly reference rounded shapes found throughout the home, from lighting and barstools to the playful bat signal painted at the entry. Paired with a green painted ceiling, palm frond wallpaper, hatched carpeting, and gold perforated flushmounts, the updated galley is a jewel box of high design.
Modern mid-century
For Boudreau, the goal was to balance practicality with artistry, to create a closet that feels less like storage and more like a boutique experience. With California Closets’ custom craftsmanship, the space now embodies the home’s modernist spirit while offering a level of function that suits contemporary living.
The renovation ensures that the West House honors its storied past while embracing a bold new chapter as dramatic and memorable as the superhero who once called it home.
