Marion Estates In the 1950s and ’60s, home architecture followed the overall arts trend and took a turn to the modern, a popular style that rejected superfluous ornament in favor of clean, minimalist lines and angles. An important aspect of mid-century modernism was that it was sensitive to the function of the structure more than ever before, while providing surroundings that were stimulating and enjoyable. In Phoenix, no neighborhood stands as a truer testament to that style than Marion Estates, which features the work of several important modernist architects, including: - Alfred N. Beadle. A huge influence on desert modernism, Alfred Beadle worked within the aesthetic school of Mies van der Rohe, creating what were considered magical spaces out of the postwar steel frame structure.
- Ralph Haver. Along with a number of innovative home designs that mixed the modernist straight lines with elegant, well-balanced curves, Ralph Haver designed several Phoenix landmarks, including the original Cine Capri movie theater. With 800 seats and a 58-foot-wide screen, it was not only the largest theater in Arizona, but the most visually pleasing place to enjoy a movie.
- Blain Drake. Known for energy-efficient home designs with an elegance of proportion and scale, Blain Drake was one of the original apprentices to Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin in Wisconsin. While he concentrated mainly on residential architecture, Drake also designed office buildings and churches, receiving national and international appreciation for his work.
You can appreciate this captivating architecture for yourself by taking a tour of the homes for sale in this truly unique neighborhood. You’ll find that many homes enjoy beautiful views of Camelback Mountain and have dense desert landscape — which contribute to the dramatic ambiance of the area. East-west boundaries are 40th and 44th Streets; E McDonald Drive borders the neighborhood on the north, and Stanford Drive on the south.
Arcadia
The Arcadia area of East Phoenix is one of the most desired residential havens in the Valley, especially for families who enjoy plenty of beautiful living space. Many of the homes for sale in Arcadia will be roomy Ranches built from the late ’40s through the ’60s, a boom period for housing in the U.S. and specifically for the Ranch style. Many people would be surprised to learn that the pedigree of the Ranch House style is rooted in Spanish Colonial architecture and came to Arizona via California. The single-story, unfussy approach lent itself well to the needs of the postwar American population, which of course was booming as well. Cliff May of San Diego—who was, like Frank Lloyd Wright, not officially registered as an architect—is considered the father of the California Ranch, which he created in 1931. Though the late ’70s and ’80s saw a decline in popularity, the early ’90s brought about a renewed interest in the Ranch-style home, particularly the vintage variety that might be found for sale in Arcadia. Arcadia is a showcase for variety in architecture, either in the Ranch-style home or in the styles of the newer homes built there in more recent years. Arcadia is represented by a multitude of architects; the following will give you some idea of the look and feel of the area: - Calvin C. Straub. As an ASU professor from 1961 to 1988, Calvin Straub (1920–1998) shared his philosophy involving the importance of a place’s culture and climate in the creation of a home. Called the father of “California post and beam architecture,” his designs are known for their functionality and simplicity.
- David Michael Miller. An interest in organic materials, colors and forms drive the work of David Michael Miller, who is known for a talent in redesign of older homes and for the blending of architecture with art objects from around the world. Miller has won numerous prestigious architectural awards, and his work has been featured in such publications as Metropolitan Home, House Beautiful, Phoenix Magazine, and Phoenix Home & Garden.
- Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr. Though mainly found in Southern California, the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr., enhances Arcadia with a style highly influenced by his famous father. Aside from assisting in several of Wright Seniors’ projects, Lloyd Wright, as he is known, is recognized for his work on parts of the Hollywood Bowl at the San Diego World’s Fair in 1915.
Learn more about Arcadia, including its boundaries, history, and local points of interest. Ingleside/Arizona Country Club Ingleside homes, in the area around the Arizona Country Club at 56th Street and Thomas, echo the style of the larger Arcadia region: legacy Ranch Style homes and newer varieties on large lots with plenty of old-growth vegetation. The Ingleside neighborhood is distinguished by an interesting history starting with W.J. Murphy, a contractor for the Santa Fe Railroad who was hired in the late 1880s to build the Arizona Canal that would irrigate 100,000 acres of surrounding farmland. Murphy bought land and planted sun-loving fruit trees such as olive, pomegranate, and fig. Orange groves occupied the land that would become Ingleside, as did a ten-acre private club Murphy built to draw and entertain development investors. The Ingleside Club eventually became a public hotel, but hit hard times during the Depression and closed. After a brief tenure as the Brownmoor School for Girls in the 1950s, it became what is now known as the Arizona Country Club, which hosted the Phoenix Open from 1955 to 1973. Built to be the “Pasadena of Arizona,” Ingleside remains a lovely nest for many Valley families. 
|  | Homes shown are representative of those in East Phoenix and do not represent homes that are for sale.  Cozy Arcadia Ranch  > Mid-Century Modern in Marion Estates  Mid-Century Modern in Windemere  Custom Home in Arcadia Windemere Another important Arcadia area is Windemere, a neighborhood near 44th street and Indian School Rd. built by architect Ralph Haver in 1955. Mid-century modern homes were a turn away from formalism and toward organic materials that blend well with their environment. They favored the new post and beam architecture that allowed the removal of interior support walls; this gave inhabitants large windows and open floor plans that facilitated an easily flowing style of day-to-day living and connection with the outdoors. Modern architecture was groundbreaking for its emphasis on the function of a structure as equal to its form and for its attention to the requirements of the modern American family; any home for sale in Windemere is a tribute to this essential trend. Ralph Haver is considered one of the most important architects of the Mid-century Modern style, listed among such greats as Arne Jacobsen, Cliff May, and Charles and Ray Eames. To learn more about making East Phoenix your own home, call me at 602.620.6267 or email me. Joe Janus, REALTOR® specializing in Homes with Exceptional Style in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Arizona |