Post #509457 by bigbrotiki on Sat, Feb 6, 2010 6:50 PM

Tiki Modern, page 134/35:

"Meanwhile, on the mainland, Polynesian fever was in full swing. To evoke the atmosphere of a pleasant island vacation, developers used the names of famous Hawaiian locations, even hotels. The Royal Hawaiian Estates in Palm Springs was such a contemporary condominium complex. Designed by Donald Wexler’s firm in 1959, it’s architecture followed the theme with low A-frames, natural rock walls, moderne outrigger beams and, as if turning the A-frame triangle upside down, jutting patio dividers that make this the only building I know of that actually has tail fins."

Caption: "The Royal Hawaiian’s modernist zig-zag of A-frame rooflines is dramatically underscored by the triangular “tail fin” patio dividers. Even the outrigger beams end in small triangles."

The outrigger triangles, like most apartment outriggers beams, were cut off, but since the new owner's board is Tiki-sympathetic, they are looking into replacing them.