Boom, a planned community slated for 100+ acres in Rancho Mirage, was originally conceived with gay people in mind, but straight people can come too--everyone's invited to the multi-generational, pedestrian-oriented, culture-driven, hyphenation-mad little burg, for which plans include 300 residences in eight neighborhoods, an entertainment complex, a boutique hotel, a gym, and "state-of-the-art wellness facilities" in phase one (phase two will add more residences). The project was created by Los Angeles-based developer Boom Communities, Inc.; architect Matthias Hollwich of Hollwich Kushner; and ten architecture firms, half from New York, half from Europe and California. Matthew Hoffman of Hollwich Kushner tells Curbed in an email that while the group has met with community officials in Rancho Mirage, it hasn't yet started in on the approvals process. Even so, publicity materials say the project will break ground in late 2012 and finish up in late 2014.

The 300 residences of Boom include condos and single-family residences ranging from one bedroom to four bedrooms, and architect Hollwich says that the team wants to "ensure that we have a variety of sizes in all price ranges to provide accessibility to all ages - young and old, single and married and families with young children."

As for the extras, two boutique hotel buildings were designed by Sadar + Vuga and Joel Sanders Architect; Rudin Donner designed an indoor-outdoor cafe; J. Mayer H. designed the clubhouse and gym and spa; and Arakawa + Gins created a playground and "Healing Fun House." Landscaping is by Surfacedesign, Inc. Los Angeles' new friends Diller Scofidio + Renfro designed the entertainment complex, which includes a rooftop mist disco and market. You couldn't have saved that one for the Broad museum, guys? Ah well.

Hoffman tell us that total costs for phase one are estimated at around $250 million.

· Exclusive: BOOM in the Desert [Architizer]

· BOOM [Official Site]