Alvarado Historic District - Casa Blanca

he district consists of 28 historic urban estate homes situated, for the most part, on large flat lots. As the area was subdivided, then replatted and built up over a 40 year period, there is some variation in the individual lot sizes as well as the placement and orientation of each home. This pattern of development also created slight irregularities in the area’s generally rectilinear street plan. A circular median at the intersection of North and East Alvarado Roads also distinguishes the district’s street pattern. As one of the oldest residential areas in the city, the district contains mature vegetation in both the yards and along the public rights-of-way. Some of the streets are lined with towering palm trees which gives a visual cohesiveness to the streetscapes. Houses are set on the front parts of their lots with unfenced shallow front yards. This placement, along the relatively narrow street, accentuates the architecture as the dominate feature of the district and further contributes to its feel as a cohesive unit. The Alvarado Historic District is one of the largest concentrations of historic urban estate homes. Built for the elite of the community and designed by prominent local architects, the houses are among the finest example of early residential building within Phoenix. The properties have been well maintained over the years with only minimal alterations or modifications. Thus, the houses, individually and as a collection, exhibit a high degree of integrity of design, setting, materials and workmanship. Seventy-five percent of the houses in the district were constructed during the period, 1924-1932. This building is representative of the range of picturesque styles commonly classified as Period revival architecture. Custom homes that were individually designed, the houses contain architectural elements from a variety of stylistic traditions. Typical of construction in the southwest during this time, the majority of the homes built freely mimic elements from the Spanish Colonial, Mission, Mediterranean and Monterey Revival styles. The buildings in this category are both one and two story with stucco and painted brick exteriors. Roofs are gabled and hipped clad with the characteristic red clay tile. Eaves treatment includes exposed rafters or molded cornice; Windows are wood, double-hung and casement, with a variety of divided light configurations. Wood shutter or arched openings frequently set off the windows. Entries are central, off-set and recessed with heavy wood panelled doors. Almost all exteriors are further enhanced with a diverse assortment of stone, tile and wood ornamentation and detailing. The Alvarado Historic District was awarded a $500,000 grant by the City of Phoenix in 2014 for the installation of ten (10) historic light poles to help bring back the original look of the 1920’s streetscape. The project was completed in February of 2015. The current Alvarado Historic District President is Phoenix Realtor Nick Capaz. He has been President since 2006. Courtesy of National Register of Historic Places