Steve McQueen's House, Palm Springs

Tucked into the rocky embrace of the San Jacinto Mountains, Steve McQueen’s Palm Springs home is the architectural equivalent of a perfectly cast role: minimalist, dramatic, and effortlessly cool. Designed by architect Hugh Kaptur in 1964, this mid-century modern gem is a masterclass in post-and-beam elegance-two intersecting glass boxes framed in steel, perched above the desert floor in the exclusive gated community of Southridge.

The home, once shared by McQueen and actress Ali MacGraw, has remained remarkably unchanged since his time, a living time capsule of Hollywood’s golden era of rebellion and style. Inside, the space flows with clean lines and iconic materials: a floating staircase rises from terrazzo flooring in the double-height foyer, while walls of pecky cypress add organic warmth to the geometric precision.

Light floods the interiors through massive windows, making each room feel like an extension of the desert landscape. The living room, cantilevered over the hillside, features floor-to-ceiling glass walls offering sweeping views of both the city below and the rugged mountain backdrop. Glass doors slide open to a terrace, leading to a swimming pool and patio where McQueen could once take in the sunset-or escape it altogether.

It’s not hard to see why this house caught the eye of Architectural Digest. Much like the actor who made "cool" a career, this home is all about quiet confidence, refined lines, and an intimate connection to its surroundings.