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Who is Merv Griffin?
Roughly 30 miles southeast of Palm Springs, California, is a massive 40-acre estate once owned by the media mogul and TV show host who was also responsible for creating the classic game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
Known as the “Gem of the Desert,” the property, nestled beside the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, features seven different structures that encompass a total of 13 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.
After sitting on the market for about 10 months at $36 million, it was briefly taken off the market last week and relisted for $29.95 million. Mauricio Umansky and Zach Goldsmith of The Agency are representing the listing in La Quinta, California.
The property’s main home spans 5,409 square feet and was originally constructed in 1986. Designed by Waldo Fernandez, the home blends Moroccan and Modern California styles. Moroccan lamps adorn many rooms, as do ceramic tile and marble floors, as well as intricate lattice screens that serve as doors and window coverings in various parts of the home.
The sprawling estate features a 2.5-acre lake, an orchard and elite equestrian facilities, including a 16-stall barn and thoroughbred horse racing track. Its location, across the street from luxury country club Madison Club and Empire Polo Fields, is in a prime area for horse and golf enthusiasts who enjoy fine amenities.
Another highlight of the property is that it includes a “highly productive potable well,” complete with all water rights, which serves the entire property, so there’s no need to rely on municipal water.
Merv Griffin and Liz Gardner on “Play Your Hunch” in 1960 | NBC Television on Wikimedia Commons
Griffin owned the home from the time it was built until his death in 2007 at age 82. The estate once spanned more than 240 acres, but while he was still alive, roughly 200 acres were split off to create the master-planned community Griffin Ranch.
In 2013, the property was purchased for $7 million by real estate investor Mark Majerovic, who turned it into a $15,000 per night vacation rental, according to The Wall Street Journal. The estate became a favorite over the years for brand events, including afterparties for Revolve Festival and Coachella. The Agency listed the property for $36 million last April but has now given it a healthy $6 million price cut.
Griffin got his big break on TV while hosting the game show Play Your Hunch, when Tonight Show host Jack Paar accidentally entered the stage during a live taping. The flub turned into a successful impromptu interview of Paar, which ultimately landed Griffin more opportunities. He went on to host his own talk show, The Merv Griffin Show, from 1965 to 1986.
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