The Alvarado Historic District In Phoenix, AZ
Alvarado Historic District is located along the intersection of Monte Vista and Alvarado Roads, extending North to Oak Street, East to 3rd Street and South toward Palm Lane.
The Alvarado Historic District is one of the smallest and most exclusive districts in Phoenix’s central core with only 33 homes with tree-lined streets. This elite historic district is a well-hidden gem. These homes sit predominately in the 85004 zip code which has one of the largest concentrations of historic urban estate homes.
The Alvarado Historic District is a residential neighborhood located in the heart of Central Phoenix just north of downtown and walking distance to Central Avenue and the Metro Light Rail. This area us now an official part of Midtown Phoenix, Arizona.
A Prestigious Urban Neighborhood
Without a doubt, Alvarado historic homes are some of the most prestigious homes in all of the historic districts in Phoenix. It’s one of Phoenix’s most prestigious urban neighborhoods compared to all other historic neighborhoods.
Built For the Elite
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.
A Highly Upscale Neighborhood
This is a highly upscale neighborhood with estate-sized homes. Seventy-five percent of the houses in the district were constructed from 1924-1932. This building is representative of the range of picturesque styles commonly classified as Period Revival architecture.
What are Alvarado Homes Architectural Styles?
The homes in this beautiful, glory-filled historic district have distinct architectural styles. All homes were custom built and individually designed.
Alvarado homes contain architectural elements from a variety of stylistic traditions such as an mix of:
- Spanish Colonial Revivals
- Mediterranean
- Elizabethan / Tudor Revival
- Georgian Revivals
- Southern Plantation Style
- American Colonials
- English Cottages
- Cape Cod
- Bungalows
- Mission Revivals
- Monterey Revival
Exterior Architectural Features of Alvarado Homes:
- Both one and two-stories with stucco and painted brick exteriors
- Gabled roofs and hipped clad with characteristic of red clay tile
- Eaves treatment include 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 paneled doors
- Exteriors are enhanced with a diverse assortment of stone, tile and wood ornamentation and detailing
Alvarado Square Footage and Design
Most of the Mission and Spanish Revival custom designed homes in Alvarado are between 3000 and 5000 square feet, with a minimum of 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and 2-car garages. A Colonial Revival or Craftsman Bungalow might be a bit smaller but still about 2000 square feet. The lot sizes are large, too, many with swimming pools and sit on about 1/4 acre or more of land.
Current Day Integrity
The properties are very well maintained over the years with only minimal alterations or modifications. Therefore, the houses, individually and as a collection, exhibit a high degree of integrity of design, setting, materials and workmanship.
Some Variations of Lot Sizes
When the area was subdivided, re-platted then built up over a 40-year period. It resulted in variations within 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.
Street Appeal
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.
Palm Tree Lined Streets
The streets are lined with towering palm trees giving 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.
Alvarado Historical Significance
Alvarado Historic District’s Designation was in September, 1992. Its Period of Significance is 1907-1933. The Alvarado district was created in 1927 when land that was owned by Dwight B. Heard subdivided into residential lots.
What’s Nearby Alvarado and Similar Style Historic Homes?
If you’re in love with Willo Historic District or Encanto-Palmcroft but would like to be closer to Central Avenue with a very short walk to the light rail, then this just might be your district. You’ll undoubtedly also like Country Club Manor and Country Club Park historic districts.
Practically Adjacent to The Heard Museum
The world-renowned Heard Museum and private University Club of Phoenix are historic neighbors with the heart of downtown just minutes to the south. Sometimes, referred to as Alvarado Place, you’ll find the custom designed homes of the Alvarado Historic District tucked behind the Heard Museum located at 2301 North Central Avenue.