Suzanne Somers sadly passed away on October 15, 2023, at the age of 76 in Palm Springs. The actress was a longtime resident of the area and now, an estate that she once called home has hit the market.
Indeed, “[t]he former longtime Palm Springs, California, compound of Suzanne Somers is back up for sale, listing on Friday for $9.35 million,” according to Mansion Global.
Somers Said the Estate Is ‘Like a French Village’
Somers owned the home with her husband, Alan Hamel, “from 1977 to 2021, when she sold it for $8.5 million, according to records,” Mansion Global notes. “When Somers bought the property, it spanned 73 acres—but she sold off part of the land at some point and the current listing is for 28 acres. That’s still quite large for the desert city, where the average lot size is roughly a quarter of an acre, said listing agent Brady Sandahl of Keller Williams Luxury Homes.”
“The fact that it has 28 acres of hillside living is truly one of a kind,” Sandahl said.
“The layout of our home is unique,” Somers told People in 2016. “It’s a great home for having guests because they can each go off to their own cottages at the end of the day and have privacy. There are several bedroom buildings and several common buildings. It’s like a French village.”
With a main house from 1928 that’s built into the hillside, Mansion Global explains that “[i]t has newly redone interiors that combine modern and rustic aesthetics.”
“When Suzanne had the property, there was a collection of colors carried throughout every structure,” Sandahl said. “[The seller] went in and refreshed, so now there’s primarily a white exterior and a nearly all-white painted interior.”
‘One of Palm Springs’ Most Legendary Hillside Estates’
Whoever is fortunate enough to purchase the estate that Somers once called home will be able to enjoy seemingly endless details, ammenities and perks.
“[T]his extraordinary 7 bedroom, 11 bathroom estate … stands as one of the most storied residential compounds in the desert,” according to the listing. “Just minutes from downtown yet worlds away in privacy and serenity, the property unfolds as a series of terraces, gardens, and architectural retreats woven into the natural landscape of Mount San Jacinto.”
“[T]he estate encompasses approximately 7,280 square feet of living space across multiple structures, including the main residence and a collection of guest villas,” per the listing. “The main residence features a dramatic formal dining room with barrel ceiling and fireplace, multiple indoor and outdoor living areas, and a chef-caliber dual kitchen with hidden wine vault built directly into the hillside for natural temperature control. Throughout the estate, antique Balinese mahogany doors, custom stone vessel sinks carved from fossilized materials, and handcrafted architectural details lend warmth and character.”
“Crowning the estate is a remarkable primary retreat offering balcony views, outdoor soaking tub, dressing area, office, gallery hallway, and lounge spaces that function as a private apartment within the compound,” the listing notes. “Adjacent to the pool, the iconic Rock House with architectural ties to legendary desert modernist Albert Frey appears to float above the landscape and features its own fireplace and dramatic views.”
“The grounds themselves are equally compelling,” the listing points out. “A private outdoor amphitheater has hosted performances by renowned artists, while terraces, gardens, and hidden gathering spaces create a setting equally suited for intimate evenings or large-scale events. Scenic hillside trails wind through the property, where encounters with native bighorn sheep are not uncommon.”
Indeed, the listing explains, “Historic, theatrical, and utterly private — this is one of Palm Springs’ most legendary hillside estates.”
