Rancho Mirage Development Is a Little Bit of Italy

A $40-million Italian village is being built in Rancho Mirage.

Complete with cobblestone streets and a central plaza, l’Veneto will comprise 40 custom-designed villas fashioned in the Italian style. Local developer James Baker said he chose the Old World style partly because of its success in Newport Beach but mostly because of its originality in the desert region.

“The desert is so full of the same old stuff” that some people have to find their houses by roaming until their electronic garage door-opener works, Baker joked.

To be marketed mostly as second homes, the villas will include such amenities as cleaning and concierge service, golf cart delivery and seasonal open-up and close-up of the residence, Baker said. Limo service at the airport is also under consideration.

Buyers will have a choice of individual patio villas or homes that are a part of the townscape. To better authenticate the design, Baker said, he traveled to Italy to research the style and furnishings.

The homes will cost between $1 million and $2 million, depending on additions.

Menage Design Inc., which Baker owns, will create all the furnishings in its Indio manufacturing plant.

Charles L. Martin Architects of Palm Desert designed the gated community.

The first villas in l’Veneto, which began construction last April, are to be completed in February.