The Renaissance at Clancy Lane

The Renaissance is one of the most private addresses in Rancho Mirage. Roughly 28 custom estates have been built here since 1993, each designed for its own owner rather than drawn from a builder's plan book. Homes range from about 4,000 to 15,000 square feet, with five to seven bedrooms common and the typical house at 6,000 square feet or more. Styles vary: grand Mediterranean villas with central courtyards and fountains, California contemporary homes with walls of glass, and traditional estates. Many have private tennis courts, resort pools and spas, and large garages, and at least one has its own practice tee and green.

Land is what sets The Renaissance apart. Every estate sits on an acre or more, and recent listings show sites of about 1.39 and 1.43 acres. That leaves room for deep lawns, gardens, motor courts, sport courts and pools set well back from neighbors. Many homes take in views of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains, and the private streets carry composer-inspired names such as Strauss Terrace. The land is fee simple, and the HOA, recently about $1,007 a month, covers the guard gate and common areas.

Clancy Lane is one of the oldest residential addresses in Rancho Mirage. Leslie and Helen Clancy built the first ranch here at Rio del Sol Estates in 1932, and the neighborhood has kept a large-lot, estate character ever since, decades before the city incorporated in 1973. The Renaissance sits just off the lane near its intersection with Bob Hope Drive, so it feels secluded while staying central. Major desert roads are close, Interstate 10 is about 15 minutes away, and Palm Springs International Airport is an easy drive. The guard gate is staffed around the clock, and visitors need an appointment to enter.

With no club of its own, The Renaissance lets owners choose. Rancho Mirage has some of the desert's most storied private clubs, including Thunderbird Country Club, which opened in 1951 as the valley's first 18-hole course, as well as Tamarisk and Morningside, all a short drive away. The River, with restaurants, cafes, a cinema and shops, is close enough to walk. Eisenhower Health, founded on land donated by Bob and Dolores Hope, is nearby, as are Sunnylands Center and Gardens, the McCallum Theatre and the boutiques and restaurants of El Paseo in Palm Desert. Old Town Palm Springs is within easy reach.

With only about 28 estates, The Renaissance sees few sales in any given year, so patience matters. Recent listings have ranged from a little over $3 million to well above $5 million, depending on the house, the acreage and how recently it was built or updated. Estates from the 1990s may call for modernization, and buyers should budget for maintaining large grounds, sport courts and pools. Gate access is by appointment, so showings are always arranged in advance. Because club membership is not included, buyers who golf should line up membership at a nearby club in parallel with the purchase.