Architecture

The Phoenix Light Rail may seem new, but its really a rebirth of a mode of transportation which used to exist in Phoenix. Central Phoenix used to have an extensive trolley system which was removed with the advent of the automobile. It's too bad that that happened, but at lease some people had the foresight and fortitude to preserve what was left. This was done by The Phoenix Trolley project.

The historic district of Phoenix are really special as are the homes. We've put together a short video presentation of the types of historic homes you can view in some of the 35 district through out Central Phoenix. 

#historic-phoenix-homes-video#

This home was on the market about 2 years ago. It is an amazing renovated mid-century modern home that's still true to its modern roots, yet updated spectacularly for contemporary living. I love this home and the magnificent lot is sits on.

In fact, we did a video of the home with the listing agent Steve when we were stil at Realty Executives. The home is still the same, but the price has improved.

Here are some notes from Steve about the home.

Unique features thru-out the home include wood beamed and…

The Coronado historic district is only historic in it's home type. In everything else it is a contemporary neighborhood occupied by creative and professional people, many of whom have make this little home rather beautiful and bountiful. It take a lot of talent to make a small home work, to nurture and bloom these homes and for the most part, people are succeeding. 

Beige is the color most difficut to find in Coronado: beige takes back stage role in favor of color and personality: beige is the for the suburbs of neo tuscan, modified ranch, and newer HOA restricted homes. 

[ Photo: Artur Ciesielski ]

Each house is different and unlike the beige dipped homes of the suburb, these historic houses tend to have many colors with green, blue,…

Phoenix is a car dependent city, but there is no reason to place the garage in the forefront, especially when selling a homes never mind designing the things. 

All these are the first photos buyers see of homes online. Do you want a potential buyer to see a home or a garage?

The solution can be making the entry attractive and taking the photo of it, or getting a different angle to get the entire home, but with an emphasis on the entry or a more attractive side. Or, simply avoid the front for the first photos, do the interior or the back yard.

Two new architectural styles have been added to our already 19 pages of architectural styles. Two additional section shave been expanded. The architectural section is made for those who want to learn about architecture and the types of styles that can be found in Phoenix.

The new articles include.

♠ Modern Contemporary architecture.

♣ Southwest Style architecture.

The expanded sections include.

♥ International Style architecture. The international style is one of my favorites. When done well, it looks solid, clean and human sized.

♦ Tudor Revival architecture. The venerable and ever popular Tudor style gets expanded and a few photos added.

APS wants you to know about its Shade Tree Program 

Where:

Rio Salado Audubon Center 3131 S. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040

When:

July 23, 2011 - 8:30 A.M. or 10:00 A.M.

This is a great opportunity for historic home owners to get and add shade to their homes.

Shade trees conserve energy without altering windows or other historic features of homes, they add a natural beauty to the surroundings and increase property values.

What You Get:

APS will give qualified Maricopa County residents up to three free five-gallon shade trees after attending the free one-hour Shade Tree workshop, either at 8:30 A.M. or 10:00 A.M.

You can receive up to two Palo Verde, Mesquite, Desert Willow or Chaste (Vitex) trees for homes built 1980 or…

For a long while this home stood on the market at a price above what the market was willing to pay and now this amazing example of contemporary architecture was reduced to just over $300,000 and it is a HAFA short sale, meaning a fairly easy short sale purchasing process.

This home listed with Russ Lyon Sotheby's is an exquisite architectural gem and a representation of the talented architects we have in the valley.

From the agent's description, "Designed by an architect for himself, this startling original home won the Residential Architects Project of the Year award and has been published in numerous design magazines.

Named the ''Xeros Residence'', this home is magnificantly unique. Contemporary design elements include a rusting steel…

Contemporary homes are few in Greater Phoenix and they tend to be in the upper price ranges. The most spectacular homes, of course, are in the million(s) plus range and they tend to be in Paradise Valley or Scottsdale.

There are however contemporary homes under a million as well in areas such a Sunnyslope and through out Central Phoenix, but in the lower price ranges it's the condos and townhouses that shine in places like Beadle lofts, Galleries at Turney or Mezzo lofts.

Also a lot of the mid-century modern homes have been remodeled and look very modern contemporary. What's the difference between modern and modern or mid-century modern and modern contemporary? 

The terminology can be confusing since modern is used for older stuf and for…

When I look at the beautiful homes of La Hacienda historic district my heart begins to beat a little faster, my eyes open up and I feel a tingle in the brain.

La Hacienda is located just north of Thomas and west of 7th Street and is comprised of 2 streets from 3rd Street to 7th Street.

It's one of those communities without sidewalks and that's part of the charm and character which makes this little community so special. That and of course the amazing architecture.

The streets with no sidewalks, ironically, create a sense of exclusivity and a rural feel to what is an are in midtown urban Phoenix. The yards are lush with plants and mature trees creating striking contrasts of shade, dark bark and white stucco as in the photo below.

In the…