Palm Springs Mod Squad (Architecture Tours)

A terrific and really fun tour. Tour guide Kurt was well informed, energetic, and very personable. The houses he showed us were exemplary, and he spoke knowledgeably about their history and significance. He put things in context. Gave us fun little details and anecdotes. It was a really fun tour. We saw great houses and learned a lot about the history of Palm Springs. Highly recommend!

I had an absolutely fantastic experience on the Interior/Essential Tour with Kurt from Palm Springs Mod Squad! Kurt was an exceptional and charismatic guide, sharing incredibly interesting insights and knowledge that brought the tour to life. The small group size made it feel personal and relaxed, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Everything was perfectly organized, from the smooth and friendly pickup to the drop-off at the agreed location. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Palm Springs!

Kurt makes this tour (and all of his tours) both interesting and fun. He has a design background and knows the architecture and community of Palm Springs well. He takes you around Palm Springs in his comfortable van, provides bottled water and visits many neighborhoods. You learn the history of why Palm Springs became a haven for Hollywood actors, hear lots of stories about their lives, and of course see their houses! As a client you get to sit back and listen and learn. It’s a small tour - max 6 people - so you can ask questions along the way. And then finish at the iconic Melvyn’s and sit in Frank Sinatra’s favorite booth for a martini. I got a cosmo as I don’t love martinis myself. It was my 5th tour with him - I do a different one every time I visit!

This is a friendly and very informative small group tour of some iconic mid-century and contemporary homes in Palm Springs. Kurt, the curator and guide has a deep knowledge of his subject and delivers the tour with genuine enthusiasm. Courtesy of some proud homeowners the tour allows full access to their individual properties, each one my wife and I visited were presented with immaculate taste and style. Photos are allowed, but only for the sake of personal memories. This is a must for anyone in Palm Springs with an interest in design and architecture , I thoroughly recommend it!

One of my favorite tours ever! Better than any museum as there is such a human element of getting to see real locals' homes, as Kurt narrates the history of the architecture and design. He is an engaging guide and so knowledgeable. I would recommend starting your trip to Palm Springs with this tour as Kurt has many recommendations to share re: things to do next- and you will get lots of design inspo for your shopping:)

My family and I really enjoyed the ModSquad tour with Kurt... it was the perfect way to start everyone's trip to Palm Springs on a high note. It was the perfect balance of architectural detail, celebrity home spotting and Palm Springs history. The fact that this one wasn't a walking tour ended up working out great because it was raining a bit and I think we got to see many more places in the 90 minutes driving around in the comfortable van. Highly recommend.

Kurt was a fantastic guide for our group. Our group was completely enthralled by the explanation of Palms Springs architecture and history. I would take this tour again and recommend it to anyone and everyone. Kurt was one of the most knowledgeable and interesting people I have ever met. I would have listened to him talk all day. Take this tour. You won't regret it.

Kurt was amazing! He is so personable and friendly and the information was delightful, not stuffy or pretentious. I loved that the tour was tiny and Kurt gave SO MANY helpful Palm Springs tips. Such a wonderful experience.

Kurt's tour was the highlight of our Palm Springs Christmas trip. If you're even slightly interested in Mid Century Modern architecture and would like to see and learn more about it's development in Palm Springs from an extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic proponent, Kurt's tour is a must! My only regret is not taking the tour earlier because it really changed my perspective on the city. Highly recommended!

This tour was fantastic. The tour owner/operator Kurt is very knowledgeable and personable. We saw both the inside and outside of several lovely, beautifully decorated Midcentury Modern homes. In addition Kurt narrated as we drove by some notable commercial buildings. Luckily there were only five guests on our tour. We were able to ask questions. We spent most of our time visiting homes in a concentrated area, not driving around in the van. This tour was a huge contrast to a different architecture tour we took in Palm Springs during Architecture Week, where 22 of us drove around on a tour bus, never got off the bus, had limited fleeting drive-by views, and narration by a guide who was not expert. I would love to take any tour by Kurt if I return to Palm Springs.

This was a very good tour to get an overview of Palm Springs. The guide was very knowledgeable about Palm Springs history and architects and shared interesting stories. I would say that $75 for 90 minutes seemed a little steep for me, but I still want ahead and did it and enjoyed it.

Kurt is knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. We enjoyed the tour thoroughly! Being able to see inside the beautiful homes was amazing! Thank you Mod Squad!

Loved my interior socially distanced tour with Kurt today! We drove around three different neighborhoods, which give me an overview of the exteriors of a variety of mod homes, then visited a house in each neighborhood. I really enjoyed getting to see three quite different homes, one of which previously was a motel and is now composed of condos. The pools and backyards were gorgeous. Kurt is extremely knowledgeable about architecture, interior design, and Palm Springs history, so I learned a lot. The "socially distant" part worked out really well... I followed Kurt in my car and listened to him on my cell phone. I highly recommend taking the interior tour with Kurt!

Outstanding mid century tour with Kurt. Highly recommend! Great tour of homes. Interior and exterior of mid century homes. Got to meet and greet with the owners of the homes.

Kurt's "Martini & MCM Architecture Tour" is an absolute must-do! Our group of 7 adults enjoyed learning the history of the Rat Pack and other stars and seeing their haunts. The homes we drove by were incredible and Kurt was full of expert knowledge and fun facts. The tour ends with a lesson on and tasting of martinis at the stunning bar Melvyn's. Kurt was engaging, professional, and so fun. Highly recommend!

We took the Socially Distanced Architecture Tour through Palm Springs Mod Squad on June 29th. It was well-organized and chock full of information. Our tour guide, Kurt, was knowledgeable, passionate, and professional. As a first-time visitor in Palm Springs, I felt like it was the perfect introduction to this unique city. My friend who has visited Palm Springs many times before still felt like she learned a lot. Highly recommended and can't wait to take another tour on my next visit.

The Essential Palm Springs tour is true to its name. It is a must for anyone even remotely interested in MCM architecture or the City of Palm Springs. Kurt was wonderful. He was extremely informative and he was very enthusiastic about everything that he shared with us. He shared many interesting stories about the history of Palm Springs and a bygone era as well as specific architectural details of various homes and styles. Everyone in my group loved the tour and look forward to the interior tour and the Martini Tour.

When in Palm Springs do not miss this opportunity! To call Kurt's service a "tour" is an incredible understatement. Not only does he possess comprehensive knowledge of the city, architecture, history, etc., etc.... , he combines this knowlege with educational professionalism that is second to none!!!.....and of course..... with lots of fun. Enjoy!!!.

No matter where my husband and I travel we always find a cool architecture tour to go on. WHAT CAN I say...this tour did not disappoint! The owner of the company was so AWESOME! We had such a great time and the owner sent me more information on what other places to visit when we went on to visit another city the next day. I would highly recommend this tour!!

It was actually last year that I did two different tours with Kurt. I LOVED them. I am now back in Palm Springs for Modernism Week and have to say that Kurt's tours gave a tonne of background information that have helped me make more of some of the tours I have been on this week. Kurt is so knowledgeable and as his tours are small you get so much information and can ask all questions needed. Without this background some information thrown at me quickly this week on bigger tours would have gone over my head. I will be telling anyone who will listen that they should go on at least one Mod Squad tour before anything else.

Planned an MCM tour for my wife for our 9th anniversary. Given the pandemic, I reached out early to Kurt to learn of my options. He suggested an Interiors Tour that was socially distant where we follow his vehicle with ours while listening to him over bluetooth deliver a tour for us. It was seamless, extremely informative, thorough, and couldn't have been more smooth. My wife and I also were able to visit (w/ masks and booties for our shoes) three MCM houses to see the interior design and architecture. My wife and I enjoyed the MCM tour thoroughly and would highly recommend. Kurt's knowledge of MCM in conjunction with the history, geography, and architecture of Palm Springs was exceptional.

My mom and I loved our tour with Kurt, he seems to know everyone and everything about Palm Springs. We did the "Interior Socially Distanced Tour" - we learned so much about Palm Springs' history and had fun seeing inside the different houses. My mom and I are both complete novices when it comes to architecture and mid century modern design, and Kurt was excellent at explaining the basics to us. On our tour, we had a couple that was in the middle of remodeling their home in upstate New York, and Kirk was also able to talk at an expert level with them too. No matter your expertise in architecture and design, you'll get a lot out of a tour with Kurt!

Fabulous tour. Our guide, Kurt, was informative and there was plenty of time to see the homes inside and out as well as ask questions. We would use this tour service again when visiting Palm Springs.

Kurt was such a great guide! He was so knowledgeable on the history of Palm Springs' architecture and his genuine passion for the subject matter totally shined through during the entire tour. We went on this tour for my best friend's birthday and all four of us had such a great time and learned so much. We did the interiors tour and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I'm a bit of an architecture nerd and this tour exceeded the experience of any architecture tour I've done in the past. I'd definitely go on a Palm Springs Mod Squad tour again.

We had a wonderful (socially distant) experience with Kurt and PS Mod Squad. The tour was wonderfully planned and conducted at a reasonable pace. During our first visit to Palm Springs, my sister and I got to see parts of Palm Springs we would have never discovered on our own. As someone who has a strong interest in architecture, I appreciate gaining much more knowledge due to Kurt's curation and willingness to answer questions. When we come back to Palm Springs, we will call on PS Mod Squad for the more in-depth tour that includes in-residence viewing.

Kurt took me on the Essential Palm Springs tour back in early March, and I really enjoyed it. He obviously loves Palm Springs, its history, and its architecture. After the tour, he emailed additional information about the architecture in Palm Springs that included links to videos, reading recommendations, and a list of other places to see in Palm Springs. If you're even slightly interested in architecture, I recommend one of his tours. I'll probably do the Interiors tour the next time I visit.

We had a wonderful tour with Kurt. We learned a lot, loved seeing the home interiors, and felt that from both a tour-operation standpoint and a covid-standpoint the set-up was thoughtful and smooth. Following in our car with the car's bluetooth worked great, and the masked and socially distant interior tour felt safe. Would definitely recommend this tour, and we will be checking back with them the next time we're in Palm Springs.

What an amazing tour! We were in Palm Springs celebrating my Mother's 85th birthday and scheduled a tour for four of us. I found it easy to schedule and very reasonably priced given the expertise of Kurt. What a great experience! Kurt is a wealth of knowledge and so passionate about the architecture and Palm Springs history. I look at these buildings and houses in such a different light now, as if I'm seeing them for the first time. Kurt was even kind enough to bring my Mother cupcakes to celebrate her birthday - what a great, personal touch. My family and I highly recommend this tour!

Kurt our tour guide was awesome. A wealth of information and passionate about architecture which made the tour even better! Highly recommend!

Kurt is a very knowledgeable on the architectural history of Palm Springs and gave a thorough review of the architects, builders and designers. I was very impressed with the tour and highly recommend it.

This tour was a perfect way begin to understand the backstory of Palm Springs and get a fabulous intro to its mid-centurymodern architecture. I was traveling with four adult family members (including an architect) and we did the three stop interior tour. Kurt has currated a beautiful collection of homes to visit. Two of the homes had the added zest of the homeowner being present to supplement Kurt's information, they graciously and enthusiastically answered our questions. Kurt also provided a tremendous amount of history and pointed out many other homes on our tour that were architecturally significant or had been the homes of famous residents. I would enthusiastically recommend this tour to novices add experts alike.

Our tour guide Kurt was perfect. Because I lead tours, I know that the guide makes a thousand choices about what to sayand what not to include. These decisions shift depending on interaction with the group. Kurt handled the group masterfully. He was also a wealth of great information. My only disappointment was that we didn't actually go into any buildings. This a drive-by tour. That said, it was so fascinating, that the time went by in a flash. (Now I have t find a house tour where you can go inside the homes.)

I highly recommend PS Mod Squad tours. Kurt is awesome and is very knowledgeable about the area, design and architecture. We live in PS and had out of town guest take the tour and everyone LOVED it. We'll do it again for sure. It was an AMAZING tour! Thanks Kurt.

What an amazing experience. Kurt Cyr presents such a rich knowledge of history, culture, and philosophy behind the architecture of the tour it would be hard find a more superior experience.

Kurt and the PSModSquad are amazing. We did an architectural van tour and I loved every second. Kurt is personable, funny, and insanely knowledgable. I loved learning about the history of old Hollywood and Palm Springs and even the current events happening. From local starchitects and famous homes of celebrities to new construction beauties, Kurt showed us everything in 1.5 hours in a nice air conditioned van with nice bottled water. We're looking forward to booking an interior tour with Kurt very a soon. Thanks Kurt!

Fantastic! It was informative and fun. Kurt is very knowledgeble about design, architecture and palm springs of course. There was a nice variety of structures chosen on the tour (houses, businesses etc). Kurt is a good driver too! I didn't get nauseated at all!

My mother and I got to experience the Essential Palm Springs tour this past weekend for Mother's Day. My mom is a huge architectural buff and I know nothing about the industry so I had no idea what to expect. We were warmly greeted at the gorgeous Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel by Kurt and we were told that we would be on a private tour. Lucky us! Kurt is an engaging storyteller and truly brings to life the architecture of Palm Springs. He takes you on a driving tour of the area, pointing out famous exteriors of several notable architects and tells you a little story about each. We got to see SO MUCH in just 90 minutes and left the tour feeling inspired. Thank you for the amazing time, Kurt- you truly made our Mother's Day one for the books!

My husband and I loved the Palm Springs architecture tour with Kurt! He was extremely knowledgable and pleasant. We learned a ton and would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested Palm Springs history, design, or architecture.

Kurt clearly loves his topic and he amazes with his depth of architectural knowledge of this area. He is very upbeat with a good tone and made the tour very enjoyable. As a bonus Kurt emailed us insights into everything Palm Springs including a recap of our tour information. I highly recommend Kurt for your PS Architecture tour.

No one knows style and design like Kurt. You can tell just by looking at how well put together he is that he knows his stuff. Kurt has a passion for Palm Springs, especially its style, history and what made it great in its mid-century modern beginnings. If you want to have a super time for 90 minutes, take this tour because Kurt is bright, engaging, and funny. Highly recommended for something different to do!

Kurt led us on an amazing journey through the streets of Palm Springs to discover the work of the talented architects who have made this place the epicenter of desert modernism. I highly recommend this experience to get a better understanding of the various styles seen throughout town from private residences to celebrity homes, motor lodges to gas stations, and public buildings.

After taking many, many tours, participating Modernism Week events and living the life of an architecture buff I thought I had heard it all. So, it was great fun to take Kurt's 90 minute tour and see Palm Springs from another viewpoint. Kurt is a natural showman. His tour is zany and fun, filled with anecdotes and stories while seeing the iconic buildings of Palm Springs. I recommend it to anyone interested in taking a quick dip into the mid century modern architecture that makes Palm Springs so unique.

The Essential Palm Springs Tour is a wonderful experience whether you are completely new to Palm Springs mid century architecture or consider yourself well versed on the subject. Kurt's command of both commercial and residential architecture, the critical architects of the time, the varying personalities of the neighborhoods and the timeline of the city's development as well as some juicy local info make for a entertaining introduction. Take this tour first --and then come back for more!

Just went on a Mid Century Modern architecture tour with My wife in Palm Springs with Palm Springs Mod Squad Our guide Kurt Cyr was really excellent. Thought I would get bored looking at houses for 2 hours but actually really enjoyed it. My wife is trying to "edumacate" me with a bit of culture and this was a good choice.

Awesome tour with Kurt! This is an informed and entertaining spin of the various styles of architecture throughout the decades of Palm Springs. It's not just the Mid Century Modern style which is infamous to this region, you also learn a few other tidbits. When Hawaii became a state in the USA circa 1959, the "Hawaiiana " style of buildings were created from that influence. The Bank of America Building downtown is painted with a large current of blue, the architect's signature favorite color. Elvis Presley's "Honeymoon House" was built on a model of three large circles. Unfortunately "The King's" arch nemesis, gossip maven Rona Barrett, lived nearby his leased property and soon his honeymoon was over at the iconic round house. Take a seat in Kurt's white Mod Squad Van and enjoy the journey!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this tour from Kurt Cyr. He was smart, knowledgable, and a great guy to hang out with for an hour and a half while we received some illuminating information about the history of Palm Springs, CA. Cannot recommend this tour more highly if you are into mid-century modern architecture and Palm Springs' unique position as the center of all things "modern."

Kurt provided an awesome tour. Encyclopedic knowledge and entertaining too! You won't be disappointed

We took a 1.5 hour exteriors tour with Kurt. I cannot recommend his tour enough. Kurt was extremely friendly and knowledgable about the history and interaction of buildings, people and specific neighborhoods of the city with each other. He explained architectural terms and gave a great overview of how Palm Springs's architecture has evolved with its inhabitants. It was just the two of us, and he answered all of our questions patiently and thoroughly. Highly, highly recommended! We'll be looking him up when next in Palm Springs, for the interiors tour.

I arranged to take my wife on the Palm Springs Mod Squad interiors tour and it was amazing! We toured three remarkable mid-century homes and enjoyed every minute of it. Kurt keep us interested and amused throughout the entire tour. His knowledge of mid-century modern in general and the Palm Springs area specifically is encyclopedic (for those of you who still remember encyclopedias). I highly recommend this tour - if you love mid-century modernism, you won't be disappointed!

Kurt was very informative and made the tour interesting and fun for us all. I highly recommend this tour.

Kurt's tour was incredible. Would highly recommend this tour, as it gives a great overview of both Palm Springs and local architectural influences. Van was very comfortable, pacing of the tour was perfect. This was the best activity we did while in Palm Springs. Can't wait to take another tour.

Kurt was a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. He opened our eyes to modernist architecture and elements that were hiding in plain sight. He had great anecdotes about the architecture, the architects, the history and the stars. We learned a lot and were able to use our new understanding as we later took our own walks through Palm Spriings. A great 90 minute tour for a reasonable price!

Just had a wonderful tour with Kurt this weekend! He's a font of knowledge about not just the architecture of Palm Springs and environs, but the history and the various factors that led to the MCM homes and buildings, including the social, political, and artistic factors that are currently shaping the city. So the tour didn't have the feel of being stuck in the past, but directly tied the past to Palm Springs today and the changes the city is currently going through. Kurt's anecdotes and his talent as a storyteller made the 90-minute tour fly by. Highly recommend this to anyone interested in MCM architecture or who just wants to see a deeper side of PS while visiting.

A friend and I took the Mod Squad tour of PS with Kurt. Kurt is very knowledgeable about the history, architecture and personalities of our city, plus he is just a lot of fun. He pretty much talked non-stop through our 1-1/2 hour plus tour and never bored us. The tour is definitely geared to people who love post-war modern design, both residential and commercial, but Kurt also drove us past some lovely old Spanish style homes in an upscale, mountainside neighborhood and through a tiki/Polynesian themed condominium/hotel complex so that we could fully appreciate the flavor and diversity of our lovely city. Who knew? Kurt was able to throw in enough celebrity lore to keep the tour light and fun. As he explained, many of the architecturally significant homes were owned by Hollywood people, so it was easy to play to our "fan girl" inclinations. The price was very reasonable for a mini-van that holds maybe 5 people. (In our case, it was just the two of us plus Kurt.) We absolutely recommend Mod Squad.

This was a terrific tour - comfortable ride, super-informative and such a charming and knowledgeable host! Kurt is a master at sharing interesting backstories and neighborhood histories - the time just flew by. I will enjoy PS with a greatly renewed appreciation - thank you, Kurt!