The Black Desert House is a black, minimalist home in Yucca Valley, California, about 30 minutes from Palm Springs at an altitude of roughly 4,000 feet. It was completed in 2014 for Marc Atlan and his family, designed by Oller & Pejic Architects of Los Angeles, and today it rents out for stays and for film and photo shoots.
Black Desert House at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Yucca Valley, California, near Joshua Tree |
| Altitude | About 4,000 feet |
| Completed | 2014 |
| Architects | Oller & Pejic Architects, with Marc Atlan |
| Interiors | Moderne Builders |
| Layout | Built around a central courtyard with an olive tree and gravel |
| Overnight rate reported | From about $702 per night on one booking listing (rates vary by season) |
| Production rate reported | $600 per hour with a 10 hour minimum on one location marketplace |
Rental rates change, so check the current listing before you plan a trip or a shoot.
Why is the house black?
The brief was a house that acts like a shadow in a very sunny place while still capturing nearly 360 degrees of desert views. Large glass walls and sliding doors do the second part. The dark shell stands out hard against the pale desert and reflects the rocks and hills around it.
What is it like inside?
Inside, black walls and a dark grey open kitchen continue the minimalist look, with red chairs and other furniture adding contrast. Every living space opens onto the surrounding desert. The black-tiled pool forms a thin horizontal line at the base level and echoes the distant ridgeline.
Who can use it?
The house was built with rentals in mind, for photography, film and commercial production companies as well as guests. One production marketplace lists a $600 per hour rate with a 10 hour minimum. At that rate the minimum would come to about $6,000 before fees, which is our own arithmetic, not a listed day rate. For guests, the house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms according to rental listings, so it suits a couple or a small group better than a large party.
How to visit
- Fly into Palm Springs and drive about 30 minutes to Yucca Valley.
- Book through the house’s own site or a rental platform, and ask about film permits for shoots.
- Go in spring or autumn for milder desert weather.
Keep reading
- Cliffton View luxury design: another architect-designed house with a view
- How a house became an investment product: why homes like this are also rental businesses
FAQ
Where is the Black Desert House?
In Yucca Valley, California, at about 4,000 feet and roughly 30 minutes from Palm Springs.
Who designed the Black Desert House?
Oller & Pejic Architects of Los Angeles designed it for Marc Atlan. Moderne Builders created the interiors.
When was it built?
It was completed in 2014.
Can you rent the Black Desert House?
Yes. It rents for overnight stays, with one listing showing rates from about $702 per night, and for film and photo shoots.
Why is the house painted black?
To contrast with the pale desert, mirror its rocks and hills, and work like a shadow in a sunny site while the glass walls frame the views.
Last updated: October 2026.
