Phoenix Historic Homes

Yaple Park Historic District Information

A BIT OF YAPLE PARK’S HISTORY:

Yaple Park Historic district is a history lesson of 20th century Phoenix told through houses and buildings. 

Yaple Park roots date back to 1899 when James & Sue Yaple purchased about 30 acres of land below the Grand Canal between what is now 7th and 3rd Avenue. The Yaple’s were grain and citrus growers who utilized the canal system for irrigation.

Mr. Yaple passed on in 1911 leaving the operation to his wife. Sue carried on the farm until 1929 when she swung a deal with the Coggins Title Company to subdivide and develop the property. Today, we know 1929 was a very bad time to start a new project. Despite great effort, only 10 homes were built and the project laid dormant while the nation recovered from the Great Depression.

Floyd Medlock (of Medlock Historic District fame) took over the reigns in the late 30’s and was the driving force behind much of the development with 60 homes built between 1937 and 1941. The Federal Housing Authority had strong influence over the development, mandating homes that were “safe, sturdy and efficient.” It is no wonder we see so many transitional ranch style homes in the area (68%) as these conformed to the FHA lending standards many new homeowners used to finance their purchase. It is humorous today to hear that Mr. Medlock enticed buyers with promises of low taxes (Yaple Park with outside the city limits) and country living.

THE YAPLE PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT:

Today, Yaple Park is considered an excellent example of FHA influenced housing. Only one home, located at 615 W. Miinezona, stands from the days of the original Yaple farm. The 107 single family homes are generally modest in nature with gracious front yards and lush vegetation made possible by flood irrigation used in the area. 

In addition to the dozens of transitional ranch homes, visitors to Yaple park are treated to many other styles including: Spanish Colonial Revival, French Provincial Revival, English Cottage, Monterrey Revival, Cape Cod, Pueblo Revival and fun Art Moderne.

The streets in Yaple Park are fairly wide. Large trees and rich vegetation give the neighborhood a cozy well lived feeling. It’s location, adjacent to the Grand Canal, make canal jaunts by foot or  bike a popular neighborhood activity. Proximity to the light rail gives resident’s easy access to the downtown region with its art, shopping, sporting events, restaurants and more.

We give Yaple a high thumbs up for location, upkeep of the neighborhood, maturity of vegetation, historical significance and general affordability.  Naturally, you won’t find the glorious revival style homes of the 20’s here, yet you will be treated to a feeling of neighborhood and history.

Below you’ll find a virtual slide-show tour of Yaple Park as well as up-to-date information about homes for sale in the area. If you want to view one of the available properties, just let us know and we’ll arrange an appointment.

 

Click to See What Homes Are Currently For Sale
In Yaple Park Historic District

Gene Urban & Ron Urban
The Urban Connection Real Estate Team
602-234-5777

connecting people to the perfect space

Phoenix Historic Homes

Endangered Historic Homes and Places Listed

The Phoenix Historic Coalition has named 12 properties to their new Endangered Places list. The LIST was developed to bring focus and attention to historic properties that need community help. As Steve Procaccini, Coalition board president says:

Despite significant progress in the recent past, Phoenicians, native-born and new-to-town, need to understand our heritage is still threatened by collapse, demolition, or destruction. By highlighting landmarks in danger, we can show people and work to save what we might never see again except in photographs. After all, once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.

Among the properties listed is the former home of Senator Carl Hayden located in Country Club Place. The Hayden House is an adobe home built in 1921. Adobe was a common building material in Country Club Place due to the clay soils in the area. Bricks were formed on-site for many of the area homes. The Hayden House was purchased on May 24, 2010 by Stuart Adair who I am told is planning a renovation of this fine historic property.

If you would like to see the entire list, please visit the Historic Coalition site with the link provided.

Best to you…

Gene Urban & Ron Urban
The Urban Connection Team
602-234-5777
connecting people to the perfect space

Phoenix Historic Homes

Fairview Place Affordable Historic Living

Fairview Place is one of the more affordable historic home districts in the downtown Phoenix areas in the downtown Phoenix area. There are trade offs in that it resides to the west of Encanto/Palmcroft and not easy walking distance to light rail and many downtown venues. Grand Ave is close by, as is Encanto Park and many 7th Ave businesses. Below is an overview of Fairview Place with a some history and our current take on the area.

Fairview Place… a brief history

Fariview Place is a historic neighborhood with roots back to the early 1900’s. Like most of the housing in the downtown Phoenix area, growth was sustained by the 1911 completion of the Roosevelt dam and subsequent stable water supply to the area.

Fairview Place was platted in 1916, an aggressive move considering how “rural” the public considered the area back then. Today it is hard to imagine the district, bounded by McDowell, Encanto, 15th Ave and 17th Ave as rural. However, in the early 1900’s anything west of 7th Ave was out of the city limits, trolley car lines and decent roads. In addition, the Cave Creek wash was uncontrolled and often flooded the area. The result was that original project developer, Star Realty, built nary a home.

The roaring twenties brought people and success to Fairview Place. The Cave Creek dam was built, cars were more prevalent lessening the need for mass transit and the growing cotton and citrus industries created jobs and housing demands.  The construction in the 20’s was dominated by revival style architecture termed Americanized Dutch by Fairview’s new developer, FW Mathiesen. Today we’d call these styles Southwest, Tudor and Spanish Colonial revival.

A second growth spurt began in the late 1930’s and demonstrated the huge influence the newly created FHA had on home building and architectural styles. FHA brought buyers through new and innovative mortgage options. In addition, they encouraged a more “mass-production” approach to home building with smaller homes and simpler designs. It is no wonder we see so many bungalows, and transitional ranch homes in the area as well as the use of locally manufactured red brick from the Phoenix Brickyard Company.

If you are planning to live in Fairview Place you will join the ranks of many notables including:

• Wesley Bolin – Former Governor of Arizona
• Tom Chauncey – Media Magnet and Arabian Horse legend
• Gladys Bagley – Rare woman editor at the Arizona Republic

FAIRVIEW PLACE IN OUR TIME

Fairview Place offers good value for those seeking the historic home lifestyle in downtown Phoenix. Its inclusion into the National Historic Registry in 1994, relatively large size (342 homes) and variety of architectural styles (14 noted in the historic records) makes it important and valuable. Its location in the western downtown region and smaller house/lot sizes has, most likely, kept the homes more affordable than nearby Willo and Encanto/Palmcroft.

Those seeking historic living and have had trouble finding an affordable place, Fairview Place may be your ticket.

A FEW THOUGHTS FROM THE URBAN TEAM:

We feel Fairview Place offers more reasonably priced historic homes than many of the other downtown historic districts. The district has many fine homes and its proximity to downtown’s offerings is an obvious plus. What it seems to lack is competitive marketing of the neighborhood. It needs an identifying quality and, for lack of a better word, brand. Willo is noted for the annual historic tour,  Encanto/Palmcroft has its elegance, Coronado has 1st Friday and a lot of community businesses. It is hard to put an identifier on Fairview.

We’d encourage the neighborhood to consider rezoning the homes facing 15th Avenue for light commercial development while keeping the homes intact. Road activity and noise diminish the residential value of the homes whereas boutique businesses like a small professional practice, neighborhood eateries and such would add value, excitement and more work-near-living opportunities. (We’d love to read some comments on this.)

Below you will find a virtual tour of the Fairview Place neighborhood as well as a complete listing of homes currently on the market in Fairview Place. If you would like more information on a specific home or the area, we are happy to help.

The Urban Connection Team
602-234-5777

WHAT IS CURRENTLY FOR SALE IN FAIRVIEW PLACE?  HERE IS A LOOK:

Phoenix Historic Homes

Phoenix Historic Preservation Office Update

It appears a lot of people have made their opinion on the future of the Historic Preservation Office in Phoenix heard. In a past post we asked people to take action and let Deputy City Manager David Krietor know how important the Historic Preservation Office is and will be to the future of Phoenix. I too sent a letter (see below) and received the following response.

Gene ,

Thank you. Like the other Functions reporting to  the City Managers Office Historic Preservation is extremely important.  In order to set a good example for the rest of the City we have significantly reduced the staffing in the Managers Office. We don’t have the capacity to provide the support that HP needs.  In looking at consolidation options we have focused on keeping the HP Office intact as a separate operating unit reporting directly to a Department Head.  Perhaps as critical from my perspective is to maintain the energy and enthusiasm of the HP Commission and the many Phoenix residents who care about having a viable central city.

This is great news for the City and its residence. As we have discussed, historic preservation is important and vital to the well being of our city.

Her is a copy of the letter sent by the Urban Connection Team:

Dear David,

I just wanted to express my concerns about the future of Historic Preservation. As a Realtor I have witnessed the value, both here and in California, of strong historic preservation. The downtown and central regions offer splendid examples of how preservation of our historical homes and buildings has added incredible value to the neighborhoods and city.

I STRONGLY urge you to do every thing possible to ensure the historic preservation office has the power and authority to continue and expand their fine work. Expanding their influence is an economically wise decision as historic preservation adds to the value of our neighborhoods and community.

We need HP to have an unimpeded oversight role in the future development of our city. Please do not enact any policy changes that will water-down their effectiveness. If possible, do all you can do to give them greater authority to protect our historical heritage. The stories of our history are often told by the homes and buildings in the community and stories are what give a city its long term value and importance.

Thank you for your help in preserving our past, present and future.

Thanks to everyone who got behind this issue and helped voice the importance of historic preservation. together we can make a difference.

Gene & Ron Urban
Your Urban Connection Real Estate Team
602-234-5777
connecting people to the perfect space

Phoenix Historic Homes

1930 Spanish Home in Willo For Sale

Broadmore in the Willo Historic Disctrict is home to many fine homes and this is one of them. It was built in 1930 so it reflects more of the roaring twenties style than later FHA influences.

We really like the early homes as they tend to have more charm and character. This home has both. You will enjoy the neighborhood from your multi-arched front porch with fine tile accents. The living room features a barrel celing and cozy fireplace with earthtone faux painted walls. The kitchens, baths and master have been carefully remodeled offering exceptional ammenities while maintaining historic dignity.

The french doors in the master open to a back yard and 500 sq.ft guest house with bath… a great space for a home office outside the home.

If you would like to view this property,  just let us know and we’ll take care of setting up an appointment. Simply use the form below.

Click  to view other historic properties currently for sale
in Downtown Phoenix

Use this form if you have any questions or would like to take a look at a home.

Listing is Courtesy of Realty Executives

Phoenix Historic Homes

1916 Classic Bungalow in Roosevelt Historic District

A practically perfectly preserved 1916 classic bungalow with incredible original features like wood floors, dark wood paneling in the living and formal dining rooms, beveled glass front door, leaded glass built-ins, and great windows and panel doors. Combine that with compatible cabinetry in the kitchen, laundry, and pantries, well placed skylights, and exquisite travertine floors and amazing landscaping for an incredible home.  The home features, 2 bedrooms, plus sunroom, 1 and 1/2 baths in 1800 + sq ft of living space on a 10,000 + sq ft lot.

Asking Price is $395,000

For additional information or to arrange a personal viewing of the property, contact Gene Urban

602-234-5777 or info@urbanconnectionrealty.com

Phoenix Historic Homes

Exquisite 2 story Craftsman with basement

This is a truly exquisite home in the Roosevelt Historic District of Downtown Phoenix. A 3 yr remodel project resulted in an exceptional 4 bdrm 3 ba w/dbl masters, family room, basement, home with 4000 + sq ft of living space. All of the original charm of original windows, doors, built-ins, and hardware remain while a contemporary flair and an added second story brings it into the 21st century. The Bulthaup custom kitchen features Miele dbl/micro/convection oven, a 5 burner Gaggenau cooktop and sub-zero french door fridge. Each of the three baths have custom tile; the downstairs master has a marble basket weave floor with a restored claw foot tub: the upstairs master has an amazing walk-in shower with 8 shower heads, many of which are rain tiles interspersed among the glass tile and pebble floor.

 

Asking Price is $1,111,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information, photos or to arrange a viewing of the property, contact Lyle Plocher at 602 373 3725 or lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

Phoenix Historic Homes

Mid-Century Modern in FQ Story Historic District

Incredible mid-century modern home, 4600 + sq ft original floor plan with 8 bedrooms and 5 baths.  The home has a great floorplan, does not feel overly huge and is in great shape with custom stained, polished concrete floors on the first floor and finished basement, oak floors on the second floor.  The kitchen has been professionally remodeled, but still retains the walk-in fridge as a pantry.  Custom tile in all baths, two stone fireplaces, and a great pool with slide.

Asking Price is $475,000 subject to the existing lender’s approval of a short sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about this home or to arrange a personal viewing,

contact Lyle Plocher at 602 373 3725 or lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

Listing is courtesy of HomeSmart

Phoenix Historic Homes

Historic Neighborhoods of Phoenix

There are currently 34 neighborhoods in the Downtown Phoenix area that the City of Phoenix has deemed as “Historic”. 

Phoenix voters approved monies both in 1989 and 2001 to fund the Historic Preservation Program.  The city’s Historic Preservation Office works to protect and enhance Historic neighborhoods, buildings and sites. They work closely with the city’s Historic Preservation Commission to identify and designate properties eligible for listing on the Phoenix Historic Property Register.

There are financial benefits to owning a home in a “Historic District” which include grants from the city to help with exterior rehabilitation as well as property tax reductions. 

To view a map of the Historic Districts, click here.