A striking architectural estate designed by Guy Dreier has set a new benchmark for luxury real estate in California’s Coachella Valley, selling for a record $42 million. Built into a desert hilltop within the exclusive Bighorn Golf Club, the 32,000-square-foot compound features sculptural copper roofs, asymmetrical forms, three interconnected infinity pools, and a dramatic indoor shark tank. Combining bold design with resort-style amenities, the residence blends indoor and outdoor living while offering panoramic views of mountains, golf courses, and desert cities beyond.
With sweeping copper rooflines, dramatic asymmetrical forms, and water features unlike anything else in the region, a remarkable desert estate in California has redefined luxury living. Located within the exclusive Bighorn Golf Club community near Palm Desert, the architectural compound recently sold for $42 million — reportedly the highest residential sale ever recorded across the Coachella Valley.
Set across approximately 7.7 acres of elevated desert terrain, the 32,000-square-foot residence was conceived by contemporary architectural designer Guy Dreier, whose signature organic style blends sculptural geometry with the surrounding landscape. The home rises from the hilltop like a natural extension of the terrain, its curving copper roofs and angled walls echoing the contours of the desert ridgeline.
An Architectural Landmark in the Desert
Completed in 2007 at an estimated construction cost of $30 million, the estate was originally commissioned by the late Duane Hagadone — a prominent resort developer and publisher known for creating the Coeur d'Alene Resort and its iconic floating golf green in Idaho. Today, the property stands as one of the largest and most architecturally ambitious private residences in the region.
The compound includes more than 32,000 square feet of interior living space distributed among the main residence, a private office pavilion, and a substantial guesthouse. Together, they offer seven bedrooms and 12 bathrooms designed to function as a private resort rather than a conventional home.
Design That Blurs Nature and Architecture
Materials were carefully selected to harmonize with the desert environment. Exterior surfaces feature panther slate imported from India, while bronze-framed retractable glass walls dissolve the boundary between indoors and outdoors. Overlapping planes of copper and titanium mirror the natural tones of the surrounding mountains and desert scrub.
Every major room captures sweeping views of the Bighorn Golf Club, the Santa Rosa Mountains, and the expansive valley below. The architecture prioritizes sunlight from multiple directions, creating constantly shifting interior atmospheres throughout the day.
Water as Sculpture
Perhaps the estate’s most striking visual element is its integration of water throughout the property. Three interconnected infinity-edge pools weave across outdoor terraces, crossed by bridges that lead to lounge areas and an outdoor kitchen pavilion. These sculptural pools transform the exterior into a serene oasis contrasting with the arid landscape.
Inside, aquatic design becomes even more dramatic. A glass-lined corridor leading to the dining room is flanked by aquariums filled with exotic fish, while an overhead shark tank creates an immersive and unexpected architectural experience.
Interiors Designed for Drama and Comfort
The great room centers around a monumental titanium-clad fireplace beneath a ceiling formed from flowing wood panels. A custom installation by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly adds a vibrant artistic focal point, reinforcing the home’s gallery-like atmosphere.
The expansive primary suite functions almost as a private residence within the home. Featuring panoramic views, a fireplace, boutique-style closets, and retractable glass walls opening onto a private terrace and outdoor spa, the suite embodies resort-level luxury. Backlit golden onyx stone surfaces and custom finishes enhance the sense of warmth and exclusivity.
Additional highlights include a massive open kitchen with dual islands, a glass elevator that introduces guests upon arrival, a tennis court, extensive garages accommodating up to 15 vehicles, staff quarters, and a four-bedroom guest pavilion with direct pool access.
A Private Resort Above the Valley
A circular office perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop offers uninterrupted panoramic views, emphasizing the estate’s connection to its elevated setting. Outdoor pavilions equipped with fireplaces and retractable glass walls allow year-round entertaining while protecting guests from cool desert evenings.
Recognized as Robb Report’s Ultimate Home of the Year, the residence remains architecturally relevant nearly two decades after completion. Its seamless indoor-outdoor living concept, advanced engineering, and sculptural forms continue to influence contemporary luxury design.
706 Summit Cove — Key Features
- Hilltop estate with panoramic mountain and valley views from every room
- Architectural design by Guy Dreier integrating copper, titanium, and glass
- Three interconnected infinity pools and immersive aquatic installations
- Open-air glass elevator and retractable walls enabling indoor-outdoor living
- Seven bedrooms, 12 bathrooms across main home and guest pavilion
- Private office perched on a rocky plateau
- Resort-style amenities including spa areas, outdoor kitchens, and sport courts
Spanning nearly eight acres and offered fully furnished, the property represents a rare fusion of architecture, art, and landscape — effectively functioning as a private luxury resort embedded into the desert summit. In both scale and imagination, the estate stands as one of the most extraordinary residential achievements ever realized in the Coachella Valley.
