Built in 1946, Bel Vista is one of the earliest Modern housing tracts constructed in California and the first in Palm Springs. All 15 homes were identical, modest, and based on an International Style design Frey first developed in 1934. Fifteen years ago, all the homes 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.Today, three homes stand as they once were—meticulously restored. All three are designated as Class 1 Historic Resources and two are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, the story of restoration and preservation does not end there. While restoring individual homes was a painstaking and important part of the process, Bel Vista is a tract of 15 homes. Showing what the entire tract once looked like is equally important. With the help of Palm Springs architect William LaVoie, technology was used to bring the entire tract back to life, allowing everyone to see it as it was originally.

This lecture will explore how technology can complement traditional restoration methods and be used to recreate lost historic sites. The Bel Vista story offers an important lesson: what was once “lost” might not be gone forever.

PSPF will host a tour of two of Frey’s now meticulously restored 1946 Bel Vista tract homes on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to educate and promote public awareness of the importance of preserving the historical resources and architecture of the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley area.” PSPF offers free membership as a public benefit.To learn more about the work of the foundation see www.pspreservationfoundation.org.