Fan Wants To Turn Elvis' California Home Into A Tourist Draw

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) _ An Elvis Presley fan wants to give Graceland a run for the money by refurbishing the King's old desert home as a tourist attraction. <br/><br/>Reno Fontana and his wife,

Saturday, August 11th 2007, 2:54 pm

By: News On 6

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) _ An Elvis Presley fan wants to give Graceland a run for the money by refurbishing the King's old desert home as a tourist attraction.

Reno Fontana and his wife, Laura, bought the Palm Springs home site unseen in November.

``I want this to be Elvis of California,'' he said.

The Spanish-style white stucco home has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, with a sunken tub and a pool. Elvis and Priscilla Presley bought the home in April 1970. The family, including daughter Lisa Marie, lived there part-time.

After his death, Presley's lawyer took control of the estate. It was not immediately known whether anyone lived in the house before the Fontanas bought it.

The house is already a bit of a tourist draw.

``I get asked probably six times a day to see the inside of the Elvis house,'' said Bill Davis, owner of Celebrity Tours in Palm Springs.

``In fact, last week I had a woman from Poland, and all she could say was: 'inside Elvis house,''' he said. ``People want to see what's inside.''

Fontana says he'll provide a look to anyone who knocks on the door. Right now, there's not much to see in the unfurnished home.

But Fontana, a lifelong Elvis fan, plans to decorate it in elaborate Elvis style and build a chapel, banquet hall and recording studio to attract weddings and recording business.

``We may have our names on the deed, but we are the caretakers,'' he said. ``This house belongs to Elvis fans around the world.''