Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Johnny Mercer Estate


Palm Springs, CA. - Prudential California Realty, Palm Springs Downtown Office announced
today that The Johnny Mercer Estate is back on the market and is proud to announce that Mike McCoy & Ken Simpson, McCoy-Simpson Properties one of the top real estate teams in Palm Springs has just listed the Johnny Mercer Estate at 282 Camino Carmelita in Palm Springs, California. The Johnny Mercer Estate is one of the last unspoiled 1.08 acres (approx) available in the Mesa that can be developed.

The Estate is nestled on a slightly elevated site in the foothills of the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains known as the Mesa subdivision. The Johnny Mercer Estate is in good company, sitting in front of the Warner Brothers Estate and the Palm Springs landmark Ship of The Desert Home. The house was originally built in 1945 in a U-shaped plan in a contemporary styling and Spanish stylistic influences, resulting in a modern 3 bedroom, 3 baths Hacienda of that era. The elements commonly associated with Spanish design are present here; a side-gabled roof (with two east-facing gables over the south and north volumes) covered by arched red-clay roof tiles, exposed rafter beams, wide overhangs, and exterior walls composed of masonry units (blocks) painted white. Two wide, squat chimneys rise above the roofline. Fenestration consists of multi-lite steel casement windows, contributing to the definition of the style as eclectic fusion but common for the era. A low wall of un-coursed natural stone encircles the house and the flooring of the entry courtyard and the Master Suite and Guest Bedroom decks.

The Johnny Mercer Estate, with the original initial “M” for Mercer imbedded in the walkway as you enter the compound, is 1.08 acres. It has a lighted tennis court, blue mosaic tiled pool, and a citrus tree filled orchard. The Hacienda entry courtyard faces East with a side-gabled roof that covers the patio and is perfect for outside dining, relaxing and entertaining. The estate has a Master Suite with French Doors opening onto a large patio with views of the impeccably manicured great lawn, lighted tennis court and gardens. The master / guest bedroom is large with a sitting area around the tile fireplace with French Doors opening up to a small deck that leads to the blue mosaic tile pool with views of the Warner Brothers Estate and the San Jacinto Mountains to the West. The Johnny Mercer Estate was carefully restored and updated in 2005 including New Wood and Ceramic Tile floors, a Chefs Kitchen with Granite Counter Tops, updated Bathrooms and a beautifully re-conditioned tennis court.

Johnny Mercer was the best Hollywood Lyricist and Song writer, winning 4 Oscars for Best Song; 1946 “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” for the movie The Harvey Girls staring Judy Garland; 1951 “In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening” for the movie Here Comes The Groom; 1961 “Moon River” for the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s and in 1962 “Days of Wine and Roses” for the movie Days of Wine and Roses.

In 1942 Johnny Mercer and two partners founded Capitol Records, the first West coast label, and by 1946, Capitol was established as one of the Big Six record labels in the world. In 1949 Capitol Records purchased the KHJ Studios on Melrose Avenue next to the Paramount Pictures Lot in Hollywood. In 1955, the English record company EMI acquired 96% of Capitol Records stock for $8.5 million. EMI’s classical Angel Records label was merged into Capitol in 1957.


In the last year of his life, Mercer became extremely fond of Palm Springs resident Berry Manilow, in part because Manilow’s first hit record was a song titled “Mandy,” which was also the name of Mercer’s daughter.

After Merceer’s death in 1976 in Bel Air, CA. his widow, Ginger Mehan Mercer, arranged to give some unfinished lyrics he had written to Manilow to possibly develop into complete songs. Among these was a piece titled “When October Goes”. Manilow put his own melody to the lyric and issued it as a single in 1984. It became a top 10 Adult Contemporary hit in the United States.

After his death, his widow Ginger Mehan Mercer returned to Palm Springs and lived in their compound until her death. In 1995 the Estate was sold by his son and daughter John Jefferson Mercer and Georgia Amanda Corwin.

The Johnny Mercer Estate is being offered at $2,095,000. The Estate has been subdivided into 3 lots each having its own APN Tax #. The Residence and Pool West Lot is 22,215 sf (approx), center lot is 11,335 sf (approx), and the most Eastern lot is 13,503 sf (approx). Survey documents are available only upon request to Mike McCoy 760-333-1834 and Ken Simpson 760-861-6895 with Prudential California Realty, Palm Springs Downtown office.


To make an appointment for a private showing please contact Mike McCoy 760-333-1834, E-mail Mike@McCoySimpsonProperties.com or Ken Simpson 760-861-6895, E-mail Ken@McCoySimpsonProperties.com , with Prudential California Realty, Palm Springs Downtown Office.

To learn more and view photos of the Johnny Mercer Estate please visit http://www.mccoysimpsonproperties.com/ or http://www.johnnymercerestate.info/ .

No comments: