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 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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1977 - Canyon South III, aka Twin Palms, South Palm Springs CA. 33 units. Developer, Richard (Dick) McCarthy.

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1979 - Canyon South IV, Indian Canyon, South Palm Springs CA Developed by Richard (Dick) McCarthy. 19 units. 

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Around 1980 - Canyon South V, aka Via Isla, South Palm Springs CA. Developed by Richard (Dick) McCarthy. 32 units.

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1978 - 73387 Willow Street, Palm Desert CA. Status unknown.

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1980 - aka House in Chino Canyon. 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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The Stephen (Steve) Chase House, Camino Mirasol,  Palm Springs CA.  Featured in Architectural Digest, November 1976. Interior design, Steve Chase. 

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1978 - 2653 Calle Palo Fierro, Palm Springs CA. 2671sf.  Originally built as part of the Canyon South IV (now 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. 

1978 - 2675 Calle Palo Fierro, Palm Springs CA. 2671sf. Originally built as part of the Canyon South IV (now 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

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1986 - 1008 Andreas Hills Drive, Palm Springs CA.  Photos by Simon Berlin. Needs verification as a Sandor home.

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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.