Nob Hill Begins

In 1916 Sellers platted the eastern half of University Heights (east of Girard) and constructed a ground mounted water tank near the corner of what would become Carlisle and Coal to serve the new addition. This addition was the first of what would be called Nob Hill. Immediately east of here, in 1925, developers platted Granada Heights. Thereafter, the private water system was replaced by the City system and a house was constructed around the water tank which was turned into its living room. The house and tank still exist at 319 Carlisle SE. Museum of Albuquerque PA1980.061.139, 1/1938

Monte Vista

Monte Vista Addition was platted by William Leverett Sr. in 1926. This addition lies on sloping ground which was prone to flooding from the Campus wash, roughly aligned with what is now called Campus Blvd. Because of the unusual site Leverett hired S.R. DeBoer, a Denver planner. He conceived a land use plan which abandoned the standard grid pattern, substituting a series of curving streets. This maximized the land available for development while minimizing the threat of flooding. Anxious to offer amenities that would induce newcomers to consider this easternmost of suburbs, Leverett also dedicated a portion of the land for use as a school. Monte Vista Elementary School, constructed in 1930, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. Also in 1926, Charles McDuffie platted College View Addition. Mesa Grande was platted in 1931.

Demand for homes was brisk

Demand for homes was brisk and most of the home sites in all four of these additions were developed in the quarter century before WWII. Housing was typically constructed by small contractors who purchased lots and built houses on speculation. Popular styles included the regionally-inspired Pueblo Revival and Territorial Revival. Also popular at the time was the Mediterranean Revival, popularized by the Panama-California Exhibition of 1915. Architect's drawing of a home for Dick Milner, 508 S. Solano Dr, Museum of Albuquerque, PA1980.187.265, October 1938

Other Styles and Details

There are examples of Medieval Mode homes and, toward the beginning of WWII, good examples of the Streamline Moderne and early Ranch style homes. This concentration of houses employing these regionally-inspired styles imbues the district with its distinct character. Stylistic ornamentation associated with the vast majority of houses consists of a range of details derived from these styles. A growing number of houses increasingly reflected the use of regionally inspired building styles set against an eastern backdrop of the Sandia mountains. This combination contributed to a sense of place in the SW that proved attractive to many newcomers to Albuquerque as well as many local residents. Development halted during WWII as materials were diverted to the war effort. When the war ended in 1945 infill commenced and a new addition, Broadmoor, was platted in that year. Residential development continued into the 50’s and was substantially complete by the mid-50s. Since then there have been only a few homes built. They reflect styles current at the time of their construction such as the Mid-Century style. There also exist several post war homes in highly unique international or one-of-a-kind style.

1987 Sector Plan

In 1987 the City completed the Nob Hill Sector Development Plan. It noted that the historic roadside architecture along Central Ave and the historic residential areas in the neighborhoods are among the area’s most visible and positive assets. It recommended that city staff should evaluate buildings and areas for historic significance and pursue nominations to the historic registers for those which qualify.

Surveys

After the Sector Plan was adopted the city made these surveys part of its ongoing planning work. Between 1987 and 1995 students from the UNM School of Architecture surveyed 415 residential and commercial buildings, focusing on Monte Vista Addition. In 1995 the city hired Chris Wilson, a professor of architecture at UNM, to undertake more surveys. By 1995 the Monte Vista Addition and College View Addition had been surveyed along with the commercial area along Central from Girard to Washington and about half of the University Hts Addition

The 1995 survey

The 1995 survey: noted that incremental change through the remodeling of buildings is gradually undermining the historic character of both the residential and commercial portions of the neighborhood. noted that public education through walking tours could be very constructive. recommended nomination of Monte Vista and College View Additions for listing on the state and national Registers of Historic Places.

Historic District

In 1997 the City contracted with consulting historian David Kammer to document the Twentieth Century Suburban Growth of Albuquerque with the National Park Service Register of Historic Places. In 2000 the City contracted with Kammer to prepare the nomination of the Monte Vista and College View Additions as a National Historic District. With input from owners the District was listed on the National Register on August 3, 2001. The Sector Plan now being revised, in its draft form, recommends that the City complete the survey of the University Heights Addition and parts of the Granada Heights Addition for eligibility for listing on the National Register.   You can get another take on architectural styles found in our neighborhood at www.oldhousejournal.com/magazine/2005/sep/american.shtml.