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{{short description|Planned community in the Las Vegas Valley of Nevada}}
[[File:Paradise Palms Las Vegas Map.jpg|thumb|Map of Paradise Palms housing tract, a mid-century residential development in Las Vegas, Nevada.]]
'''Paradise Palms''' is a [[Mid-Century Modern]] housing community in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]] located between downtown and the city's University District.<ref name="daniels"/> It was designated as a historic overlay district in 2021, the first such recognition in Clark County.<ref name="davis">{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Hillary |date=2021-09-02 |title='Truly iconic': New street signs celebrate history of Paradise Palms neighborhood - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper |language=en |work=Las Vegas Sun |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/sep/02/new-street-signs-celebrate-paradise-palms-history/ |access-date=2022-02-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-15 |title=Mid-mod 'hood Paradise Palms is officially historical - Las Vegas Weekly |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/intersection/2017/feb/15/paradise-palms-mid-modern-historic-neighborhood/ |access-date=2022-02-11}}</ref> The planned community, Las Vegas' first,<ref name="daniels"/> was the brain child of [[Irwin Molasky]] in 1960 who hired the architectural firm of [[Palmer & Krisel]] to build a community within walking distance to his [[Boulevard Mall]] and when completed drew entertainers, mobsters and other members of the city's social scene.<ref name="menrad">{{Cite news |last=Menrad |first=Chris |date=2017-06-14 |title=Remembering William Krisel, who made tract homes interesting - Las Vegas Weekly |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/intersection/2017/jun/14/remembering-william-krisel-who-made-tract-homes-in/ |access-date=2022-02-11}}</ref> A house originally owned by Fred Glusman subsequently featured stays by Cher, Don Rickles, Diana Ross and other Vegas entertainers.<ref name="Wargo">{{Cite news |last=Wargo |first=Buck |date=2018-07-20 |title=Rat Pack-era home once housed celebrities — VIDEO |language=en-US |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/homes/real-estate-millions/rat-pack-era-home-once-housed-celebrities-video/ |access-date=2022-02-11}}</ref><ref name="trw">{{Cite news |last=Witcher |first=T.R. |date=2019-01-08 |title=In Search of a Vegas Style: Why don't we look like Palm Springs? |language=en |work=KNPR |url=https://knpr.org/desert-companion/2019-08/search-vegas-style-why-dont-we-look-palm-springs |access-date=2022-02-11}}</ref><ref name="pph">{{Cite news |date=2011-02-02 |title=Paradise Palms is history |work=Las Vegas Weekly |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-see-it/2011/feb/02/paradise-palms-history/ |access-date=2022-02-11}}</ref> The original homes off Cayuga Parkway debuted in 1960 and were developed by Molasky and Adelson's Paradise Homes. In 1963, other builders were added to the community, including California-based Americana Homes, Tropical Estates by Vallee Development, Stellar Greens by D.L Bradley, Miranti Homes and Fontainebleau Estates by Eastern Enterprises.


The inspiration for Paradise Palms was [[Palm Springs, California]], which exhibited a similar post-World War II population boom.<ref name="trw"/>The land on which the houses were built was originally part of the Stardust Golf Course, now known as Las Vegas National.<ref name="pph"/>
'''Paradise Palms''' is a [[Mid Century Modern]] housing community in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]].

In the 1960s [[Irwin Molasky]]'s company Molasky Development hired the young architectural firm of [[Palmer & Krisel]] fresh from their success building hundreds of successful tract homes for [[Alexander Homes]] and other custom projects in [[Palm Springs, California|Palm Springs]], [[California]].

"This unique subdivision was the first planned community in [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]]. We used [[curvilinear|curvilinear street patterns]] instead of rectilinear. Paradise Palms won the American Builder magazine award for one of the best planned communities in the U.S. The architects were two young men by the names of Palmer and Krisel. The interior designs were by world renowned [[C. Tony Pereira]]." Irwin A. Molasky <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paradisepalmslasvegas.com/2012/05/irwin-molasky-on-las-vegas-today-and.html |title=Irwin Molasky on Las Vegas Today and Paradise Palms' Lasting Legacy |publisher=BLVDS |date=2012 |accessdate=2014-08-27}}</ref>

==Construction==
[[File:William Krisel butterfly roof home in Paradise Palms.jpg|thumb|left|A William Krisel-designed home featuring a distinctive butterfly roof in Paradise Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.]]
The tract is sprinkled with several Mid Century Modern home styles. The homes are standard post and beam construction on slab. Most sit on a {{convert|40|ft|m|sing=on}} by {{convert|40|ft|m|sing=on}} imprint.

There were numerous models available, but to make the homes look custom, the footprints were rotated on their lots and flipped with a minimum of 3 different roof lines available: folded plate roof lines, butterfly roofs, ranch, and dramatic overhangs. The homes also featured unique decorative block work and [[Stone screen]]s and were generally finished in sanded stucco.

"Street side, facades stretched almost the full extent of the {{convert|100|ft|m|sing=on}} wide lots. Concrete block or extended stucco walls connecting house and carport were intended to add length to the front of the house for a more imposing appearance. Idiosyncratic decorative elements made use of wood, decorative concrete block, patterned brick, two-tone paint, rock, ironwork, spun fiberglass panels, and other materials."
Robert Imber, [[Eichler Network]]

==Stardust Country Club==
Many of the homes in this tract back up to the [[Las Vegas National Golf Club]]. The Las Vegas National Golf Club began as the Stardust Country Club in 1961 (part of the [[Stardust Resort & Casino]] properties).

In 1969 it was purchased by the [[Del Webb Corporation]] and renamed the Sahara-Nevada Country Club. In 1982 it was purchased by [[American Golf Corporation]] who partnered with the [[Las Vegas Hilton]] in 1994 to create the Las Vegas Hilton Country Club, and was most recently renamed the Las Vegas National Golf Club in 1998. The original course record of 63 was set by [[Arnold Palmer]] in 1967 and held that record for 28 years.

Over the years it has hosted [[LPGA]] Championship Events and [[Professional Golfers Association of America|PGA]] Tournament of Champions. And it was supposedly a [[Rat Pack]] hangout back in 'the day.' The golf course was purchased in 2007 by a group led by real estate investor John Knott III.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2007/sep/26/for-those-who-live-by-golf-course-a-new-worry/ |title=For those who live by golf course, a new worry |publisher=Las Vegas Sun |date=2007-09-26 |accessdate=2014-08-27}}</ref> It is currently managed by Harrah's Resorts.

==Notable Homes and Residents==
[[File:Paradise Palms 1964 Advertisement.jpg|thumb|Paradise Palms 1964 newspaper advertisement]]

There are also homes by [[Molasky Homes]] and Palmer and Krisel on the Eastern side of the golf course off Eastern Avenue.

The home used to portray [[Frank Rosenthal]]'s estate for the movie ''[[Casino (film)|Casino]]'' is at the end of Cochise Street between the #1 and #18 fairways (although his actual home was within the [[Las Vegas Country Club]] Estates).

Famous residents of Paradise Palms throughout the decades have included celebrities [[Johnny Carson]], [[Debbie Reynolds]], [[Dean Martin]], [[La Toya Jackson]], [[Dinah Shore]], [[Howard Hughes]] protégé [[Robert Maheu]], and mobster [[Tony Spilotro]]. Other former residents include VeriSign co-founder [[Kristian Meier]], renowned labor Attorney [[John Tofano]], as well as politicians and various casino strip entertainment executives.

Paradise Palms notable residents (with their addresses) include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paradisepalmslasvegas.com/2011/01/influential-people-who-lived-in.html |title=Influential People Who Lived in Paradise Palms |publisher=Paradise Palms Las Vegas |date=2011-01-16 |accessdate=2014-08-27}}</ref>

<p>• [[Juan Garcia Esquivel]] (space age band leader) - 661 Seneca Circle</p>
<p>• [[Rip Taylor]] and Sam "Baby Shoes" Prezant (bookmaker associated with the mob) - 3328 Pawnee Drive</p>
<p>• [[Bobby Darin]] - 1438 Cayuga Pkwy</p>
<p>• Pierre Bezard ([[Dunes_(hotel_and_casino)|Dunes]] music director) - 3451 Sioux Way</p>
<p>• [[Judy Lynn]] (country music singer and Miss Idaho 1955) - 1389 Pawnee Drive</p>
<p>• Bruno Scarrone (choreographer for Folies Bergere) - 1688 Pawnee Circle</p>
<p>• Jerry Gordon (vice president of the Flamingo) and [[Tim_Alexander|Tim Alexander]] (drummer for [[Primus]]) - 1676 Pawnee Circle</p>
<p>• Buddy Sarkissian (drummer/musician in Armenian cabaret music) - 3558 Spencer Street</p>
<p>• [[Johnny Carson]] and [[Joe Louis]] (world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949) - 3333 Seminole Circle</p>
<p>• [[Frank Rosenthal]] (the movie Casino was based on this person) - 3572 Spencer Street</p>
<p>• Dick Cantino (musician/actor) and [[Vido Musso]] (musician) - 3355 Nahatan Way</p>
<p>• Mike Corda (songwriter/ bandleader) - 3398 Nahatan Way</p>
<p>• [[Phyllis Diller]] - 1515 Cayuga Parkway</p>
<p>• Stanley Morgan ([[The Ink Spots]]) - 1761 Ottawa Drive</p>
<p>• Walter Zick (architect) - 3614 Ottawa Circle</p>
[[File:William Krisel House in Paradise Palms Las Vegas.jpg|thumb|right|A home in Paradise Palms designed by noted modernist architect William Krisel.]]
<p>• [[Dolores Fuller]] (actress/song writer for [[Elvis]]) - 3628 Ottawa Circle</p>
<p>• [[Dolores Fuller]] (actress/song writer for [[Elvis]]) - 1389 Commanche Drive (she owned two homes in the neighborhood)</p>
<p>• Harris Sharp (architect) - 2144 Ottawa Drive</p>
<p>• Frank Masterana (black book gambler) - 2082 Ottawa Drive</p>
<p>• [[Debbie Reynolds]] and [[Sonny Liston]] (world heavyweight boxing champion) - 2058 Ottawa Drive</p>
<p>• [[Max_Baer,_Jr.|Max Baer Jr.]] (actor - [[Jethro Bodine]]) - 3456 Pueblo Way</p>
<p>• [[Shecky Greene]] (comedian) - 2201 Geronimo Way</p>
<p>• [[Jay Sarno]] ([[Circus Circus]] / [[Caesars Palace]]) and [[Robert Bigelow]] ([[Bigelow Aerospace]]) - 3541 Maricopa Way
<p>• Fredric Apcar (Dunes show producer) - 1499 Cayuga Parkway</p>
<p>• [[Frank Pellegrino]] (actor) - 3398 Seneca Drive</p>
<p>• Tonni Kalash (trumpet for [[Herb Alpert]]) and Cal Kalash (violinist) - 3378 Seneca Drive</p>
<p>• David Victorson (Caesars entertainment director) - 3333 Arapaho Circle</p>
<p>• David Swan (comedian/actor) - 1948 Raindance Way</p>
<p>• Nick Esposito (musician) - 3325 Arapaho Circle</p>
<p>• [[Foster Brooks]] (actor) and [[Dionne Warwick]] (who lived there briefly, but used to rent it to the Riviera for their headlining acts such as [[Engelbert Humperdink]], [[Bob Newhart]], and [[Burt Bacharach]]) - 3482 Pueblo Way</p>
<p>• Red Mcilvaine (talk show host, comedian, local TV personality) - 3858 Pima Lane</p>
<p>• [[Donald Sutherland]] (actor) - 3853 Pima Lane</p>
<p>• [[Juliet Prowse]] (actor - engaged to [[Frank Sinatra]], dated [[Elvis Presley]]) - 3326 Arapaho Circle</p>
<p>• Frank Schivo (Sahara part owner) and [[Robert Maheu]] (F.B.I., C.I.A., and right hand man to [[Howard Hughes]]) - 3525 Cochise</p>
<p>• Michael Schivo (concert promoter) - 1618 Seneca Lane</p>
<p>• Ash Resnick (Caesars vice president with ties to the mob - the film Casino was also filmed at this location) - 3515 Cochise</p>
<p>• [[Nevada]] State Senator John "Jack" Vergiels - 3555 Algonquin Drive</p>
<p>• Don Vincent (music director for [[Wayne Newton]]) - 3591 Algonquin Drive</p>


The neighborhood and construction thereof were featured in a 2011 exhibit, ''A Place in Paradise...the Quintessential Las Vegas Neighborhood''.<ref name="peterson">{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Kristen |date=2011-08-16 |title=Vegas suburbia from the ’60s gets a revival - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper |language=en |work=Las Vegas Sun |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/16/vegas-suburbia-60s-gets-revival/ |access-date=2022-02-11}}</ref>


==Notable people==
Residents of Paradise Palms throughout the decades have included celebrities Dean Martin,[[Johnny Carson]], [[Sonny Liston]], [[Debbie Reynolds]], [[Howard Hughes]]' protégé [[Robert Maheu]], [[Bobby Darrin]], [[Dionne Warwick]], [[Foster Brooks]], [[Phyllis Diller]], [[Buddy Hackett]], [[Pat Cooper]], [[Shecky Greene]], [[Rip Taylor]], and mobster Sam "Baby Shoes" Prezant. Other former residents include politicians [[Jack Vergiels]], Melvin D. Close, Jr, Imogene Ford and various casino strip entertainment executives such as [[Ash Resnick]], [[Jimmy Newman]] and [[Jerry Gordon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paradisepalmslasvegas.org/2011/01/influential-people-who-lived-in.html |title=Influential People Who Lived in Paradise Palms |publisher=Paradise Palms Las Vegas |date=2011-01-16 |accessdate=2014-08-27}}</ref> <ref name="daniels">{{Cite news |last=Daniels |first=Elisabeth |date=2016-02-23 |title=Making it home: Urban Renewal in central and Downtown Las Vegas |language=en |work=KNPR |url=https://knpr.org/desert-companion/2016-02/making-it-home-urban-renewal-central-and-downtown-las-vegas |access-date=2022-02-11}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{no footnotes|date=July 2007}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
* [http://www.paradisepalmslasvegas.com/ ParadisePalmsLasVegas.com] A web site for all things happening in Paradise Palms.
*{{official site|http://www.paradisepalmslasvegas.org/}}
* [http://savethecourse.com Save The Course] Community trying to protect the historic National Golf Course from developers
{{coord|36.13015|-115.12310|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-NV|display=title}}
* [http://lottaliving.com/bb Lotta Living] Online Community for fans of Mid-Century Modern Design - has discussions on Paradise Palms

* [http://atomicage.org Atomic Age Alliance] Volunteer group dedicated to celebrating Mid Century Modern architecture in Las Vegas
{{coord missing|Nevada}}
{{Las Vegas Valley}}


[[Category:Buildings and structures in Las Vegas, Nevada]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Las Vegas]]
[[Category:Planned communities in Clark County, Nevada]]
[[Category:Planned communities in Clark County, Nevada]]

Latest revision as of 13:38, 6 September 2023

Paradise Palms is a Mid-Century Modern housing community in Las Vegas, Nevada located between downtown and the city's University District.[1] It was designated as a historic overlay district in 2021, the first such recognition in Clark County.[2][3] The planned community, Las Vegas' first,[1] was the brain child of Irwin Molasky in 1960 who hired the architectural firm of Palmer & Krisel to build a community within walking distance to his Boulevard Mall and when completed drew entertainers, mobsters and other members of the city's social scene.[4] A house originally owned by Fred Glusman subsequently featured stays by Cher, Don Rickles, Diana Ross and other Vegas entertainers.[5][6][7] The original homes off Cayuga Parkway debuted in 1960 and were developed by Molasky and Adelson's Paradise Homes. In 1963, other builders were added to the community, including California-based Americana Homes, Tropical Estates by Vallee Development, Stellar Greens by D.L Bradley, Miranti Homes and Fontainebleau Estates by Eastern Enterprises.

The inspiration for Paradise Palms was Palm Springs, California, which exhibited a similar post-World War II population boom.[6]The land on which the houses were built was originally part of the Stardust Golf Course, now known as Las Vegas National.[7]

The neighborhood and construction thereof were featured in a 2011 exhibit, A Place in Paradise...the Quintessential Las Vegas Neighborhood.[8]

Notable people

[edit]

Residents of Paradise Palms throughout the decades have included celebrities Dean Martin,Johnny Carson, Sonny Liston, Debbie Reynolds, Howard Hughes' protégé Robert Maheu, Bobby Darrin, Dionne Warwick, Foster Brooks, Phyllis Diller, Buddy Hackett, Pat Cooper, Shecky Greene, Rip Taylor, and mobster Sam "Baby Shoes" Prezant. Other former residents include politicians Jack Vergiels, Melvin D. Close, Jr, Imogene Ford and various casino strip entertainment executives such as Ash Resnick, Jimmy Newman and Jerry Gordon.[9] [1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Daniels, Elisabeth (2016-02-23). "Making it home: Urban Renewal in central and Downtown Las Vegas". KNPR. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  2. ^ Davis, Hillary (2021-09-02). "'Truly iconic': New street signs celebrate history of Paradise Palms neighborhood - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  3. ^ "Mid-mod 'hood Paradise Palms is officially historical - Las Vegas Weekly". 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  4. ^ Menrad, Chris (2017-06-14). "Remembering William Krisel, who made tract homes interesting - Las Vegas Weekly". Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  5. ^ Wargo, Buck (2018-07-20). "Rat Pack-era home once housed celebrities — VIDEO". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  6. ^ a b Witcher, T.R. (2019-01-08). "In Search of a Vegas Style: Why don't we look like Palm Springs?". KNPR. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  7. ^ a b "Paradise Palms is history". Las Vegas Weekly. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  8. ^ Peterson, Kristen (2011-08-16). "Vegas suburbia from the '60s gets a revival - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  9. ^ "Influential People Who Lived in Paradise Palms". Paradise Palms Las Vegas. 2011-01-16. Retrieved 2014-08-27.
[edit]

36°07′49″N 115°07′23″W / 36.13015°N 115.12310°W / 36.13015; -115.12310

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