For years, it has been one of Palm Springs' most recognizable reminders of a project that never seemed to happen.

The burned-out church at the corner of West Baristo Road and Belardo Road has sat vacant through years of proposals, delays and missed deadlines. It may be moving toward redevelopment.

According to an update from the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood Organization, permit applications and project plans were submitted before the deadline established by the City of Palm Springs, marking an important milestone for the long-delayed Orchid Tree Hotel project.

The neighborhood organization says current projections indicate construction could begin as early as June 2027, with work expected to take approximately two years to complete.

"While timelines remain subject to change, the recent filings suggest the project may finally be moving from discussion to reality," the organization said in its update.

If the schedule holds, it would represent the most significant progress on the property in years.

A Luxury Hotel with Historic Preservation

The Orchid Tree Hotel, proposed by the Weintraub Group, would transform the prominent site at 284 Baristo Road into a boutique luxury hotel just a short walk from downtown Palm Springs.

According to information presented to the Palm Springs City Council earlier this year, plans call for a three-story hotel with approximately 72 guest rooms, while preserving and repurposing several of the property's historic structures.

Rather than demolishing the site's historic buildings, the proposal would restore several existing bungalows as guest accommodations and convert the historic church into hotel amenities, including restaurant and hospitality space. The project also includes plans for a spa and event facilities.

In March, city planning staff reported that the developer had submitted materials required to satisfy a key milestone under the project's development agreement after the city granted an extension. Staff indicated the submission appeared to substantially comply with the agreement, although the city would continue reviewing the materials as the project advances.

The next major milestone will require the developer to secure the necessary land-use entitlements by October 2026.

A Site Many Residents Know Well

While relatively few people know the project by its official name, nearly everyone in Palm Springs recognizes the property.

For years, the burned-out church has stood as one of the city's most visible examples of an unfinished redevelopment effort. Located at one of the gateways into the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood, the site has generated years of speculation and frustration as residents waited to see whether construction would ever begin.

Now, after another round of required filings and renewed activity behind the scenes, there is cautious optimism that the long-vacant property could be on its way to becoming one of downtown Palm Springs' newest luxury hotels.