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Moroccan-inspired desert paradise asks $16.1M

Built in the style of a traditional riad, with a central courtyard and fountain

By Megan Barber
A Moroccan-inspired star fountain sits on a patio next to a boxy house in the desert. Photos by Juwan Li, courtesy of Aaron Kirman Group

It’s hard to stand out in a sea of ho-hum real estate listings, but this four-bedroom, eight-bath mansion in Palm Desert, California, caught our eye. We’ve seen plenty of sprawling estates modeled after an Italian villa, but this 12,925-square-foot home looks to the Moroccan riad for inspiration.

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Traditional riads are usually multi-story structures centered around an interior garden or Andalusian-style courtyard with fountain. Called Casbah Cove, this home took four years to build and sought to blend Moroccan traditions with contemporary amenities. Like a riad, a verdant courtyard in the middle of the house features lush palms and a fountain, although the Americanized version also boasts a retractable glass ceiling.

Elsewhere, reflecting pools and fountains provide a peaceful backdrop while large windows and vanishing glass walls bring the outdoors in. A hookah room seats 20, and other perks include a Hammam spa with steam room, a temperature-controlled wine room, a library, and a separate guest house. The desert location provides plenty of opportunities for indoor-outdoor entertaining, and the home doesn’t disappoint with a 20-foot outdoor movie screen, a large infinity lap pool, and an additional round 40-foot pool.

Love what you see? 613 Indian Cove is on the market now for $16,100,000.

A lounge area has a large white coffee table with built-in teal seating, white throw pillows, and a window looking outside.
This soothing teal room features views of the nearby mountain ranges.
A library features walls of books, a sitting area, desk, and a retractable wall that opens up to palm trees and a fountain.
Retractable walls in the library let the outdoors in.
A multi-level courtyard has open-air balconies, a star-shaped fountain, and a sitting area.
The riad-style courtyard with lush vegetation, a sitting area, and fountain.
Red lamps cut into holes in the wall sit above a brightly patterned seating area with hookahs.
A look at the hookah room.
A serene spa area with hot tub and sitting area near a fireplace.
A spa area with sitting room.
A living room with star skylights, a large gold and black door, and a seating area.
A formal living room features geometric skylights and golden horseshoe arches.
A cream and white bedroom has large windows on one side and a sitting area.
A serene bedroom with fire pit and large windows.

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