PARADISE GARDENS

During the mid-1960s, Robert Altherr of A-1 Construction had been developing single-family tract home communities throughout the Phoenix area and in a desire to do something unique architecturally… he called up well known desert modernist architect Al Beadle.  Advancing Modernism and high design for the masses with functional and minimalist architecture was a lifelong goal for Beadle. The development would be called Paradise Gardens, a subdivision between 32nd and 36th Streets and north of Mountain View (south of Shea Blvd) and would come to be one of the most loved and sought after neighborhoods by mid-century architecture enthusiasts. The concrete block houses, sited on lots ranging from around a 1/4 acre – 1/2 acre, were priced around $18,000 originally, and offered distinctive designs: bright and open floor plans, connections to the desert landscape, deep overhangs, stepping facades,  exterior half-walls made from breeze block, glittery, quartz-studded flat rooftops, and detached carports. Beadle designed four models, all named for cactus — the Ocotillo, the Cholla, the Palo Verde, and the Saguaro.

At some point during development, the relationship between Beadle and Altherr soured and Beadle stepped away from the project, perhaps due to value engineering modifications but Altherr.  As a result of him departing prior to completion not all of the homes in the community are his original designs, but a large proportion can trace their roots to Beadle.  Today, residents have embraced the architectural roots of Paradise Gardens with several quality unique renovations paying homage to the original modernism goals it was built upon. 

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