The Ancestral Pueblo communities of the Southwestern United States have long been a subject of fascination for historians and archaeologists due to their advanced dwellings, infrastructure systems, and pottery. Inspired by a National Geographic magazine issue on these indigenous ruins, a resident from the East Coast decided to build a second home in Paradise Valley, near Scottsdale, Arizona. The task of creating a residence that captured the style of the Pueblo dwellings was given to historic building restorer Ed Davieau, who had experience living in the Hopi and Navajo nations. The resulting estate, built in 1983, pays homage to the ancestral Pueblo architecture while also incorporating some old Spanish mission characteristics.
The exterior of the house features rough-hewn wooden posts and rafters, a mottled tile roof, and curves that mimic adobe structures. Constructed primarily out of cinder block and wood frame, the exterior was covered with Santa Barbara-style stucco and included elements of concrete formed to look like old exposed brick. To enhance the authenticity, repurposed viga beams from the Hopi nation and beams from an old Spanish mission were used in the living rooms, bedrooms, and primary suite. A heavy wooden double door gate opens to a courtyard with a Spanish tile fountain, and the interior features details like a brick barrel-vaulted ceiling in the dining room, antique wide-plank flooring, and a faux stone wine cellar.
The property includes a grotto swimming pool, outdoor entertaining area, an eight-stall barn dating to the 1940s, and a casita with a living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. It also has two two-car garages and is zoned for equestrian use, allowing for up to two horses per acre. The estate, known as Hacienda del ParaÃso, offers 8,552 square feet of living space with five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and a half bath. The primary suite includes a seating area and kiva fireplace, with views of sunsets and the McDowell Mountains. The property is currently listed for $15 million, in line with similar-sized homes in the area.
Paradise Valley currently has seven homes for sale with acreage greater than 4 contiguous acres, with prices ranging from $15 million to $31 million. While the value of the property may be measured in terms of acreage and square footage, the real value lies in the appreciation and understanding of the unique architecture and history of the residence. Shawna Warner, a founding partner of the real estate brokerage RETSY, hopes that a future buyer will lovingly enhance and preserve the architectural elements that make this estate a truly special and unique homage to the ancestral Pueblo communities of the Southwest.