LASZLO ERNEST SANDOR, AIA (1926-2025)

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Sandor was born in Budapest, Hungary, graduating in architectural engineering from the Royal Hungarian Jozsef Nador University in 1949. He worked in Budapest for the Hungarian government in a rural area close to the Austrian border. There he met Elizabeth Gondar, whom he later married. They moved to Goyr, had a son Laszlo, then left Hungary 1956 fleeing the Russian occupation. They moved to West Germany as refugees for two years, and eventually immigrated to the US in 1958, fleeing the Hungarian Revolution. They settled in Phoenix AZ to be near Lazslo's brother and sister-in-law who emigrated a few years earlier. From 1958 to 1965, he worked at several firms, ending with Dailey Associates 1963-1965 with Al Beadle.

Beadle's lack of an architectural license led to professional difficulties and, at one point, he was charged with practicing without a license. The state of Arizona wanted to grandfather him in by giving him a license, but he refused to accept it. As part of his defense, Beadle's lawyer pointed out that another local architect, one Frank Lloyd Wright, was also practicing without a license. In order to be eligible to take the test Beadle had to obtain the requisite number of apprentice hours required by Phoenix. A retired architect from New York, Alan Dailey, heard of this and specifically formed the Phoenix firm of Alan A. Dailey & Associates so Beadle could obtain the hours before taking the test, which he passed. During that time, Sandor worked for Beadle at Dailey. While working at Dailey, Sandor assisted Beadle for the 1964 Triad Apartments, which were part of the Case Study House series. Sandor also worked on the 1963 Three Fountains, 1964 Chilton Inn, 1964 Roman Roads, 1964 Litchfield Manor, 1966 Imperial Towers, 1965 Colachis Residence, 1966 Johnston Saunders Wright Office, 1965 Northgate Townhouses, the Sabak Apartments, and the 1965 Scandia Restaurant.

In 1965 Sandor joined William Cody’s office in Palm Springs, working remotely before moving the family there in 1966. He started his own firm around 1970, and by then he had a contractor's license as well. With Richard (Dick) McCarthy, he developed several tracts plus projects on his own.  He had a close relationship with interior designer Steve Chase, who gifted him a significant wooden mask, which was in possession of Sandor's son as of 2025. Sandor lived in Desert Horizon in Indian Wells at one point, then the couple moved to Laguna Beach CA. His records were likely thrown away during the move to Laguna. His Palm Springs projects include the 1973 Seventh Day Adventist Church (below) and the 1975 Plaza Racquet Club. He tried to retire at 70, but people kept asking him to do projects. 

If you have more information on his projects, please contact us.

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1975 - The Stephen (Steve) Barrett Chase House, 1144 Camino Mirasol, Palm Springs CA.  Featured in Architectural Digest, November 1976. Photos, Fritz Taggart.  Interior design, Steve Chase.  In 1983, the house occupied by Ronald Mark Miller, who was convicted of wire fraud, as his long appeal of an FBI search of his car on the property ultimately failed.  Sold in 1995 to Gerald J. Burchill.  Sold in 2004 to Alfred J. and Ladda Toelkes.  Sold in 2004 to Stephen O. Johns. 

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1977 - Canyon South III, aka Twin Palms, 1800 South. La Paloma, South Palm Springs CA. 33 units. . 2 bd/2 ba, 1680 sf. Developer, Richard (Dick) McCarthy. Sold in 2023 to James and Lori Anderson. For sale in 2025.

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1977 - 1157 East La Jolla Road, Palm Springs CA.  Formerly part of Canyon South III.

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1977-78 Palm Desert Highlands Development - Skyward Way, Palm Desert CA. Walker & Lee Inc./Stone & Murphy Developers. 2-3 bedroom homes with dens. Sample house at 72797 Skyward (sold 2020 to Kimberly Knoller/Kelly Boesch). Sandor's involvement confirmed in 1977-78 advertisements.

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1978 - 73387 Willow Street, Palm Desert CA. Sold in the 1990's to Annie and Cornelius Ford.

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1978 - 750 West Via Vadera, Palm Springs CA. Sold to David Komonosky and Johan Toet. Sold in 2024 to Scott Bishop and Stampp Corbin. 

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1978 - 2653 Calle Palo Fierro, Palm Springs CA. 2671sf.  Originally built as part of the Canyon South IV (later called Canyon Springs) condo project. Though similar in design to the adjacent condos, this house is a free-standing property and not part of the condo association. It was first used as both a sales office and home for the development's sales manager.  Rental for 20 years.  Sold in 2018 and renovated.  Sold in 2018 to Robert William Sanhorn.

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1978 - 2675 Calle Palo Fierro, Palm Springs CA. 2671sf. Originally built as part of the Canyon South IV (later called Canyon Springs) condo project. Though similar in design to the adjacent condos, this house is a free-standing property and not part of the condo association.  Sold in 2019 to Kipp B. and Lise Webb.

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1978 - The Laszlo Sandor House, 1080 Cielo Drive, Palm Springs CA.  Interiors by Steve Chase. Sold in 1981. Sold in 2004 to Diana and Joseph Lyon.

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1979 - Roy Lewis Addition - 987 West Chino Canyon Road, Palm Springs CA. Sandor designed frame/stucco guest house addition to 1955 home. Original house built for Hollis and Edith Brown by unknown architect. For sale in 1957. Sold to Bernhardt Nyman. Sold in 1979 to Roy Lewis who had Sandor design a frame and stucco guest house addition. Sold in 2011 to Kort Schnabel who, in 2013, had an application to build an additional casita.

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1979 - Vista Canyon Development, South Palm Canyon and Avenida Granada, Palm Springs CA. Shelden Slaten Co. developer. 63 unit condominium development. First phase in August 1979, 17 units. Three floor plans: 2 bd/2 ba, 3 bd/3 ba, and 4 bd/4 ba. Appears only 31 units ended up being built. Example: 2541 La Condesa. Sold in 2020 to Stephen Rossi. Under contract.

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Around 1980 - Canyon South V, aka Via Isla, South Palm Springs CA. Developed by Richard (Dick) McCarthy. 32 units. Sample condo: 1445 Via Isla. Sold c1997 to Norman Kerewsky. Under contract.

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1980 - aka House in Chino Canyon. According to his son, he designed and built it and lived there two years. It was on one of the highest elevations in Palm Springs. Status unknown.

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Year Unknown- 20 houses in Palm Desert CA.  Samera and Skyward Streets. Sam Stone and Ron Dunphy were the developers. They built 2-4 at a time over the years.

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Sources include: Modern Phoenix; son Lazslo George Sandor; friend Ron Dunphy; Desert Sun archives.