Selling or Leasing Commercial Property in Palm Desert

Palm Desert sits near the middle of the Coachella Valley. Its commercial property is spread across very different settings: the El Paseo shopping district, the Highway 111 frontage, the interchanges on Interstate 10, and the area around the college and university campuses. Who will buy or lease your building depends a lot on which of these settings it's in. If you own commercial property here and are thinking about selling or finding a tenant, we can introduce you to a commercial broker who works on this kind of property.

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Palm Desert at a glance for owners

• Incorporated city with its own charter. Palm Desert incorporated in 1973 and became a charter city in 1997. That means planning, zoning, and entitlement questions go to the City of Palm Desert, not to Riverside County.
• El Paseo. After World War II, land south of Highway 111 was developed into El Paseo, an upscale shopping district modeled after Rodeo Drive. It is still the address most people connect with Palm Desert retail.
• Highway 111 and State Route 74. Highway 111 runs through the city, and SR 74 (the Pines to Palms Scenic Byway) ends at Highway 111 in Palm Desert before continuing north as Monterey Avenue.
• Three I-10 exits. Interstate 10 runs along the north side of the city, with exits at Monterey Avenue, Cook Street, and Washington Street.
• Education. The main campus of College of the Desert is in Palm Desert. California State University, San Bernardino has a stand-alone Palm Desert campus on Cook Street, and UC Riverside runs an extension center in the city.
• Hospitality. Lodging and hospitality are a major part of the local economy. The city's resorts include Desert Willow Golf Resort, its municipal golf resort.
• Regional agencies. The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), the valley's regional planning agency, has its offices on El Paseo.

Commercial property types common in Palm Desert

• Street retail and specialty retail. This includes storefronts and small centers on El Paseo, where tenants and buyers will compare your property against the district's established profile.
• Highway 111 retail and restaurant pads. These depend on visibility and access.
• Professional and medical office. This includes office near the Highway 111 spine and near the education uses along Cook Street.
• Hospitality-related property. This includes property connected to the city's resort and lodging economy.
• Freeway-oriented commercial and land near the Monterey, Cook, and Washington interchanges. For this kind of property, owners often care most about access and the long-term plans for the area.

See our pages on retail property, office property, and commercial land.

Things to think about when selling in Palm Desert

Location within the city matters a lot. A small building on El Paseo, a pad on Highway 111, and a parcel near an I-10 interchange draw different buyers. A broker who sells only one of these kinds of property may not have a list of contacts for the others. When you talk to brokers, ask what Palm Desert property they have sold recently in the same setting as yours.

Hospitality-driven demand. Lodging and tourism matter to the local economy, so buyers of retail and restaurant property may ask how the business does in the busy season and in the slow months. Collect several years of operating history before you list.

Entitlements stay with the city. Palm Desert is a charter city with its own planning department. A buyer planning a change of use, a redevelopment, or a new building will look at the city's zoning and General Plan designation. Get the current zoning confirmed through the City of Palm Desert Planning department, and for anything complex, talk with a land-use attorney or planner.

Things to think about when leasing in Palm Desert

Tenant fit on El Paseo. Landlords in a curated shopping district usually care about the mix of tenants as well as the rent. A leasing broker who knows the El Paseo tenant community can help you weigh rent against co-tenancy and the look of the street.

Freeway access for service and office tenants. Users who serve the whole valley may prefer to be near the Monterey Avenue, Cook Street, or Washington Street exits on I-10. If your space is near one of these exits, a broker can market that convenience directly.

Education-related demand near Cook Street. The College of the Desert campus and the CSUSB Palm Desert campus bring a steady flow of students, faculty, and visitors. Whether that helps your property depends on the use. A broker can tell you whether it matters for your space.

Nearby areas

Palm Desert borders Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells, sits across I-10 from Thousand Palms, and is close to Bermuda Dunes and La Quinta. If you own property in more than one of these places, say so on your inquiry. Some brokers work across the whole mid-valley.

Get matched with a Palm Desert commercial broker

Tell us about your property, whether you want to sell or lease, and your timing. We review each inquiry. With your permission, we introduce you to a commercial broker who can discuss your property and your options for representation. An inquiry does not create a representation agreement. Any brokerage services are provided by the receiving broker. See our Broker Referral Disclosure.

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Palm Desert owner FAQ

Does Palm Desert or Riverside County handle zoning for my property?

Property inside Palm Desert's city limits falls under the City of Palm Desert, which has been a charter city since 1997. Some nearby communities that use Palm Desert mailing addresses, such as Sun City Palm Desert north of I-10, are unincorporated, so confirm which agency covers your parcel.

My building is on El Paseo. Do I need a broker who specializes in that district?

It helps to work with someone who has sold or leased property on El Paseo or in similar specialty retail districts. Ask any broker you interview which properties they have worked on there.

Can I talk to a broker about both selling and leasing before I decide?

Yes. Tell us that you're still deciding. A broker can walk you through both options for your property.

Do you offer advice on zoning or taxes?

No. We match owners with brokers. For zoning, entitlement, tax, or 1031 exchange questions, consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or land-use professional.

More on selling commercial property or leasing commercial property in the Coachella Valley.

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