Los Angeles Times

Crooner built retreat his way

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An estate built for legendary singer and actor

Frank Sinatra on a granite plateau in the mountains above Palm Desert is for sale at $3.95 million.

Christened Villa Maggio by the Oscar winner as a nod to the character he played in “From Here to Eternity,” the hideaway is reached by way of a gated road or by air. A private helipad on the property can be used to shuttle guests in and out by helicopter.

Sinatra had the retreat built for him in 1967 with privacy and entertaini­ng in mind. The compound would become his personal sanctuary for a dozen years.

Members of his inner circle of Hollywood friends known as the Rat Pack, other celebritie­s and dignitarie­s were among the many visitors he hosted.

Set on five acres at an elevation of 4,300 feet, the hide-out has sweeping views of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

The rustic main lodge, made of wood and local stone, features multiple viewing decks and five stone fireplaces. Two kitchens, dining and living rooms, a den, five bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms are included in the living space.

The two-story guesthouse is largely self-sufficient with its own generator, a water tower and a well. There’s a small kitchen, a bathroom, a stone fireplace and a viewing deck.

The pool house contains a stone fireplace, two bathrooms, a mini-kitchen and two saunas.

The three structures have a total of 6,428 square feet of space that the owners have worked to maintain in near-original condition.

Outdoor amenities include a lighted swimming pool and spa, a lighted tennis/basketball court and a large patio with a fire pit off the pool house. The property has parking for up to 24 cars.

Sinatra died in 1998 at age 82. His memorable hit songs include “Strangers in the Night,” “My Way” and “New York, New York.” This year marks the 100th anniversar­y of his birth.

Frank Jackwerth of Hilton & Hyland, an affiliate of Christie’s Internatio­nal Real Estate, is the listing agent.

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