'Curbie Award' - 10th & Oakey.

The 'Curbie Award' is something Jack thought up months ago... and since we've had barely a minute to breathe with everything going on, we're just getting to it now. It's basically our version of a formal recognition of VVV neighbors who've done a great job of restoring, updating, cleaning and polishing their curb appeal. Even with Jack's super key, we can't get in to ooh & aaah over the interior of every home down here, but it's the curb appeal that is changing the dynamic of the neighborhood's appearance.

We love to see owners who care enough to do their little part in beautifying the area. Our first 'winner' are Lawrence & Joan Tourville who own the home on the South West corner of 10th & Oakey. I've admired their lattice work above the screened in porch & great paint job since coming to the area. Their landscaping is always manicured & the property has a 'well loved' feel to it. What pushed them over the winner's line was the addition of the multi-colored wrought iron fencing around the perimeter. Here's a picture of the great Huntridge tract home made beautiful:



We hope to see more and more people following the example of the Tourvilles, and you never know.. we might pick you next! If you're in the process of beautifying your curb appeal, let us know & snap a few 'before' pictures so we can show off the work when its done.

Speaking of HUNTRIDGE

I pulled into the unfortunately closed Circle Park to snap a photo of the building I mentioned just below. While there, I snapped these on the historical monument sign from the LV Centennial.

The text reads:

"Las Vegas' first tract subdivision, the Huntridge neighborhood was erected between 1941 and 1944 on land purchased in the 1920s by international businessman Leigh Hunt. After his death in 1931, Hunt's widow sold off large chunks of the land. In December of 1941, the developers announced plans to build a subdivision, graciously naming it Huntridge in Hunt's honor. The modest traditional style homes rented for $50 per month with an option to buy for $5000. The Huntridge neighborhood, loved for its generous lots, curving tree-lined streets and front porches, is one of the oldest intact neighborhoods in Las Vegas."

It's really worth a minute to study the 1944 aerial shot, and the night scene (click on any picture in VVV to see it full screen)

Maryland Parkway gets a new anchor

The old "front boy" building on Maryland across from Circle Park has a whole new look. I love the simplistic lines, and the suspended awnings are awesome. Does anyone (MJ?) remember if there's still a huntridge cottage buried in the walls, or was the house torn down to build this and when?

A Huntridge Cottage at it's BEST!

One of our Vintage listings is a showplace. This wonderfully updated Huntridge cottage has all the things that a modern life needs, with great style, open floor plan and beamed ceilings. The backyard has been carefully set up to host parties or relax by the fountain with a glass of wine. This house is a great example of a Huntridge cottage done right. Take notes from this one or just move in a and start living the Vintage Vegas lifestyle. You can't be closer to everything Vegas. List Price$239,990

by popular (almost) demand

A reader askedfor a photo of the geodesic dome that was built over a "huntridge cottage" I think there was one or two years in the seventies when geodesic seemed like a good idea. I only know of a handful in all of the Las Vegas Valley. I'm glad this idea didn't stick around.

A little color might help (just saying).

Huntridge, one of America's very first tract neighborhoods

The first big housing boom in Las Vegas was caused by WWII. Nellis AFB was just being opened. Cheap, comfortable housing was required. Huntridge's first homes were built in 1942, and except for a few homes out in the desert on 5th Place and 6th St, they were the first properties built South of Charleston. The last of them was built in 1949.

There were a total of 622 homes built.These are 2 examples of the original look of the homes. The top picture has been carefully maintained and loved.
They were all 2 bedroom 1 bath, relatively square cottages. Apropos to the times, they had very high pitch roofs, and lots of attic space. They each came with a carport under roof. The typical yard was about 7000 sf, and since the homes were between 800 and 900 sf, there was lots of back yard space.
Two recently renovated ones are on Oakey in the 1100 Block. Roofs, landscape, and wonderful colors were added, but we don't know whether the "bones" of the homes were upgraded. These were built with wood casement windows, Cast Iron pipes, clay sewer lines, and screw in fuse panels. Making a house pretty, without addressing the plumbing, electric, energy efficiency etc is putting the cart before the horse when it comes to truly restoring a property.
Thru the years, most of them have been added onto or expanded, with the most common being the closing in of the carport. Some had 2nd stories added, many had whole additions built to the back of the home. The most outrageous was the "geodesic dome" added to one at 1067 Griffith.

Many of the additions I've seen were just slapped together, don't integrate well with the rest of the house, are heated and cooled with window or wall units, etc. I'd tear off and start over on more than 1/2 of the additions I've seen on many of the cottages. A properly constructed master bed and bath addition adds real value, and is one way to make money with these little gems.

The neighborhood was designed for walking and riding bikes to the new shops and stores on Charleston, and in the middle of the neighborhood was the Huntridge "Circle Park" in the middle of Maryland Parkway. Maryland ended at St. Louis, till it was punched thru in the 50's to meet up with Sahara.

Currently, there are 11 "Huntridge Cottages" for sale from $199,000 to $310,000. There's a big price swing due to the various additions and modifications that have been made, and lots of weight needs to be given to the bones of the house that I've discussed above.

heaving cement slabs

a reader asked:

I've got the typical cracked floors in my 11th and Wengert home and am looking to finally get it fixed. Has anyone gone through this recently and can suggest a contractor? Also, how much can I expect this to cost per square foot? Any info will help. Thanks.

I'd love to see some comments from those who have the problem and those who've fixed it.
I'll give my 3 cents worth in a post tomorrow.