The Rebirth of Albert Frey’s Historic 1946 Bel Vista Tract in Palm Springs
Todd Hays and William LaVoie tell the restoration story of Frey’s 1946 Bel Vista Tract, including a not-to-miss computer recreation drive-through of Bel Vista as it appeared 78 years ago.
$15 (1 hr)
Category: Film, Presentation, Talk, CAMP Theater
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Built in 1946, Bel Vista is one of the earliest modern tracts of homes built in California and the first in Palm Springs. All 15 homes were identical, modest, and based on an International Style design Frey did in 1934. Twelve years ago, all were still standing, but most were unrecognizable. Alterations over the years had left the tract of homes with significant changes.
Todd Hays was determined to restore as many of the homes as possible and, with the help of an equally determined local architect, William LaVoie, technology was used to bring the entire tract back to life. Today, three homes are restored, two are Class 1 historic sites and one is on the National Register, but the story of restoration and preservation does not stop there. While bringing back individual homes was a painstaking, important part of the process, Bel Vista is a tract of 15 homes. Showing what the entire tract of homes once looked like is of equal importance.
How technology can be used to bring back lost historic sites holds an important lesson that what was “lost” might not be gone forever. The lecture will demonstrate how technology can enable us to “drive through” the original street of Bel Vista homes so everyone can experience what the original tract once looked like.
Todd Hays was determined to restore as many of the homes as possible and, with the help of an equally determined local architect, William LaVoie, technology was used to bring the entire tract back to life. Today, three homes are restored, two are Class 1 historic sites and one is on the National Register, but the story of restoration and preservation does not stop there. While bringing back individual homes was a painstaking, important part of the process, Bel Vista is a tract of 15 homes. Showing what the entire tract of homes once looked like is of equal importance.
How technology can be used to bring back lost historic sites holds an important lesson that what was “lost” might not be gone forever. The lecture will demonstrate how technology can enable us to “drive through” the original street of Bel Vista homes so everyone can experience what the original tract once looked like.
$15
Things to Know
This event is for 12 and older.
Ample free public parking is available.
Enter underground parking at Hyatt on Palm Canyon Drive or in the multi-level public garage across from the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Handicap parking is available.
This event is wheelchair accessible.
The organizer of this event is Modernism Week.
Event Check-in Location
Modernism Week Theater At CAMP
Hyatt Palm Springs
285 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
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Photo Credits: All Images Courtesy of Todd Hays
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