Corsican Villas
Quorum Article – May 2001
Corsican Villas is
known among its residents as the “Gem of the Desert.” It is a fenced and
gated condominium community of 130 units on twenty plus acres on Portola Avenue
in Palm Desert. It is directly opposite the Living Desert and has The Reserve
and Ironwood Country Club for neighbors. Dick Oliphant was the developer and
building was completed around 1972.
This subdivision is part of the old Bing Crosby estate, which included a
9-hole golf course. The golf course and main house are gone but the old Crosby
pool house and pool survive as the Corsican Villas clubhouse and main pool, both
of which are more than fifty years old. Another survivor from the old estate is
the putting green, which is close by the clubhouse. Other amenities include four
pools and spas and two tennis courts lighted for nighttime play.
The two and three bedroom condo units are attractively laid out in generous
green belt. They range in size from approximately 1,030 to 1,540 square feet.
Some of them are in townhouse configuration. All have two car garages. During
the past twelve months, prices for these units have ranged from $103,000 to
$16,000. Needless to say, the close proximity of Corsican Villas to The Reserve
and Ironwood Country Club can only be helpful to its property values.
The immaculate appearance of Corsican Villas is tribute to a series of
Boards of Directors who have long had a conscientious eye on future maintenance
requirements and how to pay for them. Recent projects have included repainting
the entire complex. Up coming projects include retrofitting all streetlights.
There are also plans for landscaping upgrades and a new look for the entry gate,
which will include flowering shrubs and reflect the desert style of the nearby
Living Desert and The Reserve. The association’s reserves remain well funded.
While forward-looking, the Board of Directors is also conservative and has
energy conservation in mind. It directed that the heat to all pools be turned
off on March 1st, except to the main pool. Depending on the budget
forecast for 2002, the Board may turn off the heat at two of the pool/spa sets
in the fall. All ground lighting has been converted from incandescent to
fluorescent.
Property Manager Kaye Tuttle of PCM/Desert Resort Management assists the
Board in its duties. Principal vendors are Valley Gardening for landscaping and
Aqua Medics for pools.
The Corsican Villas homeowners are a close-knit, gregarious group and hold
frequent block parties. They celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, regular holidays,
and any other day the party spirit moves them to observe.
Sellers Select Realty Services
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Sky Valley
CA 92241
Tel: 760-329-3650
Fax:760-329-1265
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