The Duane Hagadone House is no ordinary home—it’s a jaw-dropping masterpiece of luxury and innovation nestled in the heart of Palm Desert, California. This futuristic mansion, built by the late Duane Hagadone, a visionary entrepreneur and resort developer, sold for a record-breaking $42 million in 2022, making it one of the most expensive homes ever sold in the Coachella Valley. With its sleek design, mind-blowing features like a shark tank hallway, and a sprawling 32,000-square-foot layout, the Duane Hagadone House is a symbol of wealth and creativity.
Curious about what makes this estate so special? From its unique architecture to its lavish amenities, this article dives deep into the story behind this iconic property and the man who brought it to life. Keep reading to discover the magic of this desert oasis
Who Was Duane Hagadone?
Duane Hagadone was a big name in the world of newspapers, real estate, and hospitality. Born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1932, he built an empire from humble beginnings. He started as a paperboy at age 11, delivering the Coeur d’Alene Press, a newspaper his father worked for. Over time, he grew that small-town paper into a successful business and founded the Hagadone Corporation in 1976. His company owned newspapers, hotels, restaurants, and marinas across the Pacific Northwest. Hagadone’s most famous creation was the Coeur d’Alene Resort and Golf Course, a world-class destination that put his hometown on the map as a tourist hotspot.
When it came to assets, Hagadone lived large. He owned a 203-foot yacht called Lucky Lady (originally Lady Lola), complete with a golf course, helipads, and a submarine. His car collection wasn’t widely publicized, but with his wealth, it’s safe to say he had access to luxury vehicles. He owned at least two major homes: one in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the famous Duane Hagadone House in Palm Desert. Private islands or jets? No records confirm those, but his $800 million net worth at the time of his death in 2021 gave him the means to own just about anything. Hagadone’s life was a rags-to-riches story, and his properties reflected his bold vision.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Duane Burl Hagadone |
| Born | September 3, 1932, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho |
| Died | April 24, 2021, Palm Desert, California |
| Occupation | Newspaper publisher, real estate developer, urban planner, hospitality mogul |
| Net Worth (2021) | $800 million |
| Key Business | Hagadone Corporation (founded 1976) |
| Notable Achievement | Founder of Coeur d’Alene Resort and Golf Course |
| Awards | 2004 Horatio Alger Award, 2006 Idaho Business Leader of the Year |
| Homes Owned | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Palm Desert, California (Duane Hagadone House) |
| Yacht | Lucky Lady (203 feet, with golf course, helipads, submarine) |
| Family | Married to Lola Hagadone; two children (Brad and Todd) |
Where Did Duane Hagadone Live?
Duane Hagadone split his time between two stunning homes during his life. He spent summers in his beloved hometown of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he owned a 15,000-square-foot estate on Stanley Hill. This property, perched on 15 gated acres, was a gem with jaw-dropping views of Lake Coeur d’Alene. But in the winters, Hagadone escaped to the Duane Hagadone House in Palm Desert, California. This massive estate, located in the exclusive Bighorn Golf Club community, was his pride and joy.
After his death in April 2021, the Palm Desert mansion hit the market and sold in 2022, but it remains a legendary property tied to his name. Hagadone’s love for beautiful places shone through in both homes, each reflecting his taste for luxury and unique design.
Duane Hagadone House
The Duane Hagadone House in Palm Desert is a one-of-a-kind estate that screams luxury and innovation. Built in 2007, this 32,000-square-foot mansion sits on 7.68 acres and was designed by architect Guy Dreier, a master of modern, sculptural homes. Hagadone, a golf lover, chose the Bighorn Golf Club community for its world-class golf courses and stunning desert views.
The house sold for $42 million in January 2022, down from its original $49.5 million asking price, setting a record for the Coachella Valley’s priciest home sale at the time. With seven bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, and over-the-top features like a shark tank hallway and three infinity pools, the Duane Hagadone House is more like a private resort than a typical home. Its futuristic design and seamless blend with the desert landscape make it a standout in luxury real estate.
1. Where Is the Duane Hagadone House?
The Duane Hagadone House sits at 706 Summit Cove, Palm Desert, California, in the heart of the Coachella Valley. It’s nestled within the Bighorn Golf Club, a high-end community about 15 miles from Palm Springs. The estate spans 7.68 acres of desert land, surrounded by rugged mountains and lush golf courses. Hagadone bought the land in 2007 for $4.5 million and added two adjacent parcels for $5.5 million, though those weren’t included in the 2022 sale.
The location is perfect for those who love privacy and luxury, with the Bighorn Golf Club offering exclusive events and top-notch amenities. The Duane Hagadone House overlooks the golf course and desert hills, giving residents breathtaking views and a sense of being in a serene, otherworldly oasis. Its prime spot makes it a dream home for golf fans and high-net-worth buyers.
2. Features of the Duane Hagadone House
The Duane Hagadone House is a masterpiece of modern architecture, designed by Guy Dreier to blend bold style with the desert environment. Spanning 32,000 square feet of indoor space (and 64,000 square feet including outdoor areas), the mansion has no straight lines—every wall and roof curves or angles in a futuristic, almost spaceship-like design. The exterior uses panther slate from India and copper roofing, while the interior boasts sand-colored stone walls and floors. Key features include:
- Seven bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, perfect for hosting guests.
- Three interlocking infinity-edge pools that weave through the property, creating a stunning water feature.
- A hallway with a shark tank, giving a James Bond vibe.
- A glass elevator for easy access between floors.
- A titanium fireplace, a rare and luxurious touch.
- Six kitchens, including ones in the main house and a four-bedroom guest pavilion.
- A private office that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, with a circular design and panoramic views.
- A 12-car garage for car enthusiasts.
- Outdoor amenities like a pickleball court, volleyball court, and sprawling lawns.
The house uses 16 retractable glass walls framed in bronze, letting owners open the space to the desert air. With 57 angled roof segments, the design is both complex and elegant, blending seamlessly with the rocky hills. Hagadone’s vision for the house was to create a “private resort,” and every detail reflects his love for luxury and innovation.
Duane Hagadone’s Real Estate Portfolio
Duane Hagadone’s real estate portfolio was as impressive as his business empire. Besides the Duane Hagadone House in Palm Desert, he owned a stunning estate in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Coeur d’Alene property, located at 3155 E. Harrison Ave on Stanley Hill, covered 15 gated acres and featured a 15,000-square-foot home.
Built in the late 1990s, it had three bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and ten fireplaces, plus unique amenities like a par-3 golf hole, a bowling lane, and indoor and outdoor pools. In 2009, Hagadone listed it for $27.5 million, but by 2010, the price dropped to $17.5 million. It went to auction in 2011 with a starting bid of $7.5 million, and records suggest it sold afterward, though the final price isn’t public.
Hagadone grew up in a modest home in Coeur d’Alene, where he was born in 1932 to parents Burl and Beverly Hagadone. No details exist about his childhood home, but it was likely a simple house in a small-town neighborhood. As his wealth grew, he invested in properties tied to his businesses, like the Coeur d’Alene Resort and various marinas. While the Palm Desert and Coeur d’Alene homes were his main residences, Hagadone likely owned or developed other properties through the Hagadone Corporation, though specifics aren’t widely documented. His real estate choices always leaned toward luxury, privacy, and locations with natural beauty, like lakes or deserts.
Conclusion
The Duane Hagadone House in Palm Desert is more than just a home—it’s a symbol of Duane Hagadone’s incredible life and vision. From his days as a paperboy in Coeur d’Alene to building a $800 million empire, Hagadone knew how to dream big. His Palm Desert mansion, with its futuristic design, shark tank hallway, and infinity pools, shows what happens when creativity meets wealth.
While he also owned a stunning estate in Idaho and a yacht with its own golf course, the Duane Hagadone House remains his most iconic property. Even after his passing in 2021, his legacy lives on through this record-breaking estate and the Coeur d’Alene Resort. For anyone fascinated by luxury homes or rags-to-riches stories, Hagadone’s life and properties are a must-know tale of ambition and style.
