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    ‘Striking Viking,’ a Palm Desert estate on 2 acres, seeks $5.5M
    • January 27, 2026

    A  modern Palm Desert estate in Cahuilla Hills is on the market for $5.5 million.

    Nestled on a 2-acre hillside, the 4,297-square-foot house, known as the “Striking Viking” after its late owner, has three bedrooms, five bathrooms and an open-concept floor plan. Records show Glen Heggstad bought the vacant lot in March 2009 for $700,000 and built the home on it.

    Award-winning architect Narendra Patel of Patel Architecture in Rancho Mirage designed the house for Heggstad, a former Hells Angel nicknamed the Striking Viking due to his Nordic background.

    Heggstad’s home, which is privately gated, showcases bold lines, exposed steel, natural stone, wood flooring and expansive glass walls with views of the surrounding desert and Santa Rosa Mountains.

    A slate stone fireplace warms the living space, which opens to the kitchen.

    The primary suite features spa-inspired amenities.

    There’s a dedicated office suite, which can double as a guest room.

    One of the guest rooms has a private entrance and a kitchen.

    Outdoor amenities include an infinity pool and spa. A graded pad for a future garage or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rounds out the offering.

    Dave Kibbey of Desert Sotheby’s International Realty holds the listing, a 5-minute drive from downtown El Paseo’s upscale restaurants, designer shops, art galleries, interior design showrooms and more.

    Heggstad, who died in November 2025 at 73, founded the Coachella Valley Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo in 1987. According to the website, he later turned the school over to his two best students and set off on a five-year motorcycle trip around the world.

    In 2001, during a cross-country motorcycle trip from California to the southernmost tip of Argentina, guerrillas kidnapped Heggstad at a roadblock they set up in northern Colombia. He endured five weeks of starvation, forced marches and psychological torment during his ordeal in the jungle, he told CNN.com.

    The National Geographic Channel docu-series “Banged Up Abroad” dedicated an episode to his story in September 2007.

    A memorial service for Heggstad will take place on Feb. 12, as announced in social media posts. Space is limited, so attendees must RSVP to Mauinina@hotmail.com for the location details by Sunday, Feb. 1.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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