As in many parts of the nation, racial restrictions were imposed as well. Other restrictions regulated specific building materials and types of building use, such as excluding an apartment house from a subdivision. For example, a building cost restriction of $2,500 would prevent those of modest means from building there and would dictate the quality of materials chosen for the structure. Subdividers controlled land values by placing building restriction clauses on the lots sold. Unlike Home Builders, these early developers only sold residential lots they did not build speculative homes. The residential building developers of Willo used four strategies to accomplish their goal of forging an economically and socially viable community: deed restrictions and protective covenants platting large-scale subdivisions constructing model homes and supporting the local zoning movement. Civic leaders and members of the local real estate trade agreed that haphazard development would be detrimental both to the current residential population and to property values. Consequently, there was a growing concern over how the City should accommodate this growth without losing its unique qualities.

The Bungalow style easily accepts simple plan variations and emphasizes the use of common building materials such as brick and wood, making the Bungalow simple and inexpensive to construct.ĭuring the mid to late 1920s, Phoenix witnessed phenomenal growth in its population and a great expansion of its city limits. Wood clapboard, wood shingles, and stucco or brick masonry form exterior walls. Bungalows have large porches and broad roof overhangs and are usually one story.

Home Builders, like other builders of that time, constructed homes in the Bungalow style. Home Builders thus set the standard for the appearance of the neighborhood, the quality of buildings to be located there and the economic and social characteristics of the area's residents. The company was also responsible for the marketing of these residences, offering an affordable time payment plan, which appealed to middle class homebuyers. Home Builders constructed 41 residences in Willo between 19, each in the same architectural style. Through the large-scale construction of homes, the company had the opportunity to create a new community, an atmosphere that encouraged people to purchase a house. Home Builders, a speculative residential construction firm, saw great opportunity in this new area. It was difficult to attract families to build their homes in Willo because of its somewhat isolated nature. In the early 1920s, most of the Willo area was undeveloped agricultural land on the outskirts of the city. The following information describes how the resources of public agencies, private firms and organizations were used to create the Willo community. Seventeen subdivisions were platted in Willo, each indicative of the land development and architectural trends of their time. Over 700 homes were constructed in Willo, making it one of Phoenix' largest historic neighborhoods. Many parties, including the local and national real estate trade, prominent civic leaders and the federal government, were responsible for these actions. The historic development of Willo was the result of deliberate actions that shaped and controlled the neighborhood's visual and social characteristics.

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