Sinatra’s party pad comes with Hollywood lore, helipad
Desert hideaway Villa Maggio named after actor’s role in From Here to Eternity
LOS ANGELES— An estate built for legendary singer and actor Frank Sinatra on a granite plateau in the mountains above Palm Desert is for sale at $5.1 million ($3.95 million U.S.).
Sinatra christened the estate Villa Maggio as a nod to the character he played, Private Angelo Maggio, in the 1953 Hollywood film From Here to Eternity. He won an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role.
The hideaway is reached via a gated road or the air. A private, lighted helipad on the property shuttles guests in and out by helicopter.
Sinatra hired architect Ross Patton in 1967 to custom-design the retreat with privacy and entertaining in mind. The compound would become his personal sanctuary for a dozen years.
Three owners later, the house still includes an original dining table, bedroom set and McIntosh stereo system, as well as a painting by Sinatra.
Members of his inner circle of entertainment friends known as the Rat Pack — including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop — were among the celebrities and dignitaries Sinatra hosted. The lavish estate sits on 7- 1⁄ acres
2 near Pinyon Crest. Its three houses include a total of eight bedrooms, 13 bathrooms and nine fireplaces. The grounds also come with a music studio that doubles as a pool house, two saunas and an outdoor dance floor. The driveway and garages can accommodate 24 cars.
The hideout has views of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
The rustic main lodge, made of wood and local stone, features five stone fireplaces, multiple viewing decks and hardwood floors. As well, it has two kitchens, dining and living rooms, a den, five bedrooms and 5- 1⁄
2 bathrooms.
The two-storey guesthouse has 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 great room with a stone fireplace, two bathrooms, a mini-kitchen and two saunas.
The three structures have a total of 6,428 square feet of living space.
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 hits include “Strangers in the Night,” “My Way” and “New York, New York.” This year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.