Merv Griffin’s Moroccan-Inspired Coachella Valley Home Hits the Market for $36 Million

Even though consummate television host and all-around media mogul Merv Griffin died in 2007, the Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune creator’s 40-acre compound in the Coachella Valley city of La Quinta lived on as a “giant nightclub” fêting Hollywood A-listers like Post Malone, Jack Harlow, and Katy Perry over the nearly two-decades since his death. According to Mansion Global, the estate is now on the market at $36 million. The lucky new owner will be moving into a neighborhood brimming with star power, as Justin and Hailey Bieber recently purchased a vacation home in luxury community, The Madison Club, which is across the street from the Griffin property. The neighborhood also counts Adele and Scooter Braun as residents.

An aerial view of the home.

Spellbound by Villa Oasis, one of Yves Saint Laurent’s Moroccan estates, Griffin sought to bring the striking aesthetic to California and designed his home with the couturier’s North African residence in mind. Seven distinct structures sit on the estate, including four round 500-square-foot bungalows used as guesthouses and staff quarters.

A light-filled lounge area in the home.

Guests make their way to the front entrance via a dramatic winding driveway, flanked by lush lawns and mature trees. Waldo Fernandez, AD100 designer to stars like Elizabeth Taylor, was given free reign over the interiors, creating an elegant blend of Morocco and California that’s remained intact, for the most part.

The 5,409-square-foot main residence boasts 13 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. High ceilings and large glass windows abound, flooding the living spaces with natural light. Moroccan-inspired tiling can be found in the home’s kitchen and many of its living areas.

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Adding to the North African decor are Moroccan lattice shutters, which decorate many of the interior doors, and colorful lanterns that hang from several of the ceilings. In the home’s yard, an infinity pool looks out onto an expansive two-and-a-half-acre man-made lake, which is filled with koi, bass, and turtles. Orchards of orange, grapefruit, lemon, pomegranate, guava, and lime trees add to the property’s serene allure.

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With lots of room to roam, up to 50 horses can be held at the estate’s equestrian facilities. An additional highlight of the estate is a potable well that services all the property’s water needs.

The home’s equestrian facilities.

Mauricio Umansky and Zach Goldsmith of The Agency hold the listing.

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