VILLA VERDE HISTORIC DISTRICT

Villa Verde Historic District’s significance is based on its association with historic residential subdivision development in Phoenix between 1912 and 1960. The district takes its architectural cues from Period Revival motifs popular in the late 1920s and early 1930s and from Early/Transitional Ranch styles that emerged in the late 1930s and grew to prominence in the postwar era. Frank B. Wallace was entirely responsible for Villa Verde’s vision, design, and execution. Villa Verde is unique in that the original developer designed, built, and sold every house in the district. It was Wallace’s project from start to finish. Wallace was not an architect nor a realtor but, rather, an engineer who held degrees from Syracuse University. This may be why his houses were not simply replicas of popular styles but variations on Bungalow, Ranch, and Revival themes of the period. In his own words, Wallace endeavored to build attractive and interesting houses for homebuyers of modest means. He claimed that his specialty was “artistic small homes” that were not just unique in appearance, but also affordable. To achieve the variety he sought in his development, Wallace ensured that no two houses were alike in design and style. He further differentiated his houses by using bright paint colors inside and out. Its appeal is largely due to its varied and sometimes whimsical architectural fabric.

Information courtesy of Historic Preservation Office, City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department

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