Frank Sinatra's Custom-Designed Californian Villa Has Gone On Sale For $3.9 Million

Hidden away in the mountains above the Coachella Valley in California is the exclusive party retreat where Frank Sinatra lived during the 70's, using his private helicopter to fly guests in for parties with the Rat Pack.

A huge fan of cooking, Sinatra designed the kitchen at Villa Maggio himself, and helped to select fixtures and fittings for the retreat's three bed, six bathroom main house, three bed and five bath guest house, as well as its poolhouse which is equipped with two saunas.

Now the ten-acre property, which is named after Sinatra's character Angelo Maggio from Oscar-winning 1953 film 'From Here to Eternity', has gone on the market for $3.9million, complete with a second outdoor pool, tennis court, fire pit and parking for 24 cars.

While the My Way singer had a say in the specifics of the design, architect Ross Patton as responsible for the chalet-style look of the place and its clashing, eclectic interior which was hugely popular in late Sixties America.

Built at 4,300ft above sea level, the housing complex has multiple viewing decks allowing guests to soak in the beauty of the San Bernadino mountains, and is also close to the San Bernadino National Forest.

As well as its luxury bedrooms and exclusive fittings, the main lodge is made of wood and local stone, with five stone fireplaces and hardwood floors.

Construction on the getaway began in 1967, but was not completed until 1970 when Sinatra went into temporary retirement amid falling record sales and dampening critical reviews, especially around concept album 'Watertown', which he released that year along with Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons.

While Sinatra had other retreats, notably in Manhattan and Palm Springs, Villa Maggio was the most secluded and represented a genuine bolthole where the crooner could get away from his hectic life in showbusiness.

Sinatra lived at the villa on and off for 12 years while taking time off from writing music, spending time there with fellow Rat Pack members Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, along with selected guests.

After more than a decade in the property, Sinatra donated it to Loyola Marymount University, which then sold it for $1.4million in 1989. It has since passed through a string of celebrity owners, before reappearing on the market.