Merv Griffin’s legendary desert estate hits the market for $36M

Georgie Mihaila
8 Min Read
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency / s_bukley

Work doesn’t take a break when the cameras stop rolling.

Fresh off the heels of a hit new season of “Buying Beverly Hills“, the real estate power team at The Agency is bringing another showstopping property to the market, one with architectural pedigree, plenty of acreage, and a long history of celebrity owners — and guests.

Set in La Quinta, Calif., the estate once owned by game show legend Merv Griffin hit the market last week for a staggering $36 million, with The Agency’s Zac Goldsmith and Mauricio Umansky holding the listing.

This sprawling 39-acre property, nestled in the heart of California’s desert landscape, features a luxurious 5,409-square-foot main residence, a total of 13 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, and several additional structures including guest pods (with vacation rental potential) and a gatehouse.

Renowned for its unique blend of Moroccan elegance and modern California style, the former Merv Griffin estate has been a sought-after party destination during the Coachella music festival, hosting celebrities like Post Malone, Katy Perry, and Jack Harlow.

And it boasts dazzling interiors inspired by Yves St. Laurent’s Marrakesh home. So let’s take a quick tour of this legendary celebrity home — before a buyer takes it off the market.

The estate’s grandeur

Aerial view of Merv Griffin's estate in La Quinta, Calif, showing all seven structures on the property and the man-made lake in the backyard.
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

Spread across an extra generous 39 acres in the heart of La Quinta — a desert resort city in Riverside County, Calif. rightfully dubbed “the Gem of the Desert” — the property consists of seven different structures including a majestic 5,409-square-foot main residence.

Beyond its 13 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, the former Merv Griffin estate has everything from a private lake to an orchard, equestrian facilities, and even comes with its own water supply.

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The main house

the main house on the property, a Moroccan-inspired luxury house seen from the backyard with lush lawns, lots of palm trees, and a man-made lake
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

The main house alone is a sight to behold, flanked by four cozy 500-square-foot pods, a West Building, and a gatehouse, all enveloped in lush landscapes against a mountainous backdrop.

Moroccan-inspired architecture

luxury living room with a statement wall in the background
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

The estate’s architecture is a love letter to Moroccan elegance, seamlessly fused with modern Californian flair. Its grandeur is matched by its design, which includes intricate chandeliers, hand-placed mosaic tiles, and circular guesthouses that add a unique touch to its layout.

See also: Bing Crosby’s Estate in Rancho Mirage — That Once Welcomed JFK and Marilyn Monroe

Designer interiors

elegant bedroom with a four-poster bed and moroccan style elements like a stained glass door and chandelier
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

The interiors, masterfully put together by renowned Los Angeles interior designer Waldo Fernandez, speak volumes of luxury and style. Taking inspiration from Yves St. Laurent’s iconic Marrakesh home, each room tells a story, blending Moroccan charm with a modern twist that’s as enchanting as it is welcoming.

Guest pods oozing charm

inside a bungalow guest pod on the Merv Griffin estate, featuring a domed wooden ceiling, a queen size bed, two armchairs and floor-to-ceiling windows
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

While there’s plenty to love about this idyllic desert escape, it’s the four guest pods that won us over. The charming little guest houses — which have solid vacation rental potential and have been listed on popular rental platforms alongside other structures on the property — each contain one queen-sized bed, an ensuite bathrooms with shower/bathtub combos, a gas fireplace, TV, and private entrances.

Outdoor amenities include a lake and orchards

view of the man-made lake surrounded by palm trees, with the equestrian facility right next to it
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

Stepping outside, a whole series of outdoor amenities add to the appeal of the property. And they go beyond your regular pool and spa, found in most celebrity homes.

The 39-acre estate has a roughly 2.5-acre man-made lake, Lake Merveilleux, home to thriving populations of koi, bass, and turtles, an equestrian facility, and lush orchards of oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, pomegranates, and guavas — along with the iconic King Fig Tree, one of the largest in the Coachella Valley.

Post-Griffin era

patio with large wooden table and seating overlooking the lake
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

After Merv Griffin passed away in 2007, the estate found its new owner in real estate investor Mark Majerovic, who bought it for a cool $7 million in 2013. Majerovic turned the estate into a sought-after venue for high-end vacation rentals, events, and, of course, unforgettable parties.

The ultimate party destination

pool table with marble edges set next to a statement wall with floor-to-ceiling windows in the background
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

Under Majerovic’s ownership, the estate embraced its new identity as party central, opening its doors to thousands of party-goers looking to experience the glitz and glamour of Hollywood in the heart of the desert.

A celeb hotspot during Coachella

luxury living room with round skylight, patterned brown statement wall, two glass tables with chairs and a couch
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

A-listers like Post Malone, Katy Perry, and Jack Harlow, among others, have stayed here during the Coachella music festival, with the house playing host to a veritable who’s who of Hollywood and continuing its legacy as a landmark of high-profile entertainment.

See also: Inside Rod Stewart’s house in Beverly Park — a ritzy $74 million manor with its own soccer field

Home to a TV legend

view of the guest pods and pathways on the property with the mountains in the background
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

Built by the late TV host in the 1980s, the property then became Merv Griffin’s longtime home. Griffin, most famous for hosting his talk show, The Merv Griffin Show, was a multifaceted American entertainment mogul best known for his work as a television host and the creator of two of the most famous game shows in American television history: Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

Beyond his on-screen presence, Griffin was also a successful businessman, with ventures extending into real estate and the hotel industry. And he made quite the profit from his La Quinta property, as the estate was far larger during his ownership.

The estate once spanned 240 acres

aerial view of the property showing the stables, gatehouse, the lake, and other structures on the property
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

Originally spanning over 240 acres, the estate was pared down when Griffin sold off 200 acres for the Griffin Ranch community. Yet, the essence of the estate’s grandeur remains, with its 39-acre heart still beating strong.

Now listed for $36 million

the main house on the property, a Moroccan-inspired luxury house seen from the backyard with lush lawns, lots of palm trees, and a man-made lake
Photo credit: Andrew Bramasco / The Agency

After over a decade of work on the property, real estate investor Mark Majerovic is bringing the former Merv Griffin estate to market. Enlisting the help of top industry pros Zac Goldsmith and Mauricio Umansky (The Agency), the iconic La Quinta property is now on the market for $36 million, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of luxury and entertainment history in the heart of California’s desert landscape.

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With a decade-long career as a digital content creator, Georgie started out as a real estate journalist for Multi-Housing News & CPExecutive. She later transitioned into digital marketing, working with leading real estate websites like PropertyShark, RENTCafé and Point2Homes. After a brief but impactful stint in the start-up world, where she led the marketing divisions of fintech company NestReady and media publisher Goalcast, Georgie returned to her first passion, real estate, and founded FancyPantsHomes.com