You might ask yourself if Memphis shares any similarities with truly urban centers such as Chicago. A truly significant number of historic structures would be the result of the query. In fact, the city ranks near the top when it comes to national register listings, with over 11,500 properties, most of which are located in the Midtown and Downtown areas. While historic examples can be seen everywhere, Memphis doesn’t feature just one style. The monetary cycles, plagues, and wars of the wider country have all effected the architectural style of the urban center. An attempt to apply modern principles can also be seen throughout the wider urban area.
The predictable growth of Memphis, central hub for Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee was hampered in the 1870s by a series of epidemics that cut the population almost in half, reducing it to 32,000. Everything slowed down, including building projects as the city worked hard just to survive. Homes from the years prior to this stall, the 1830s – 1850s can be still seen today especially in the Midtown area. Clano Hall (1853), the Hunt-Phalen House (1830), and Annesdale (1855) are a few examples of everything from antebellum Federal brick architecture to Italian Villa style. Victorian, Italian, and French designs can be appreciated in Central Gardens, the Evergreen Historic District, and Annesdale Park.
By the 1890s, functionality had become more important in architectural design. Superflous architectural flourishes died off as an emphasis on regularity and volume came into vogue. Modernism had begun to influence the designs of both houses and commercial business properties, including factories. Steel buildings replaced older structures along the venerable Memphis streets of Union Ave,Main st., and Madison. Memphians also would alter the facade of older building to be more in keeping with modern styles. Memphis counted it’s first skyscraper by 1914. The emergence of the streetcar also allowed the first development of Memphis’s future historic home in subdivisions such as Central Gardens and Annesdale Park.
These new suburban residential areas became middle class modernist communities. High quality materials were used for spacious homes with large yards. Crafts man style and Greek Revival designs were prevalent in the lower level dwellings. Wood casement windows of the Prairie school can even be occassionally seen.Very utilitarian housing projects were also included, but it wasn’t until 1924 that the city started designating certain areas to be residential, commercial, or industrial.
Interestingly, Memphis realty and design was the first in the nation to really focus on more rob homes for more reasonable prices. In 1936, the Small Home Builder’s Association published a catalogue with over 100 design plans costing $ 2500 – $ 6000. Local architects offered low rates to aid in the rebuilding. Such was the community concern for helping residents secure their own homes after the Great Depression.
Patriotic fervor during the Second World War slowed adoption of modern European design. International styles lost popularity with the association with the feuding Europeans. A small historical oddity was the late 1950 attempt by Mies van der Rohe to restablish modern design with steel framed houses and glass curtains. Not really popular, the effort gradually died out in Memphis realty although his work can still be seen there today.
Today, Memphis has had a prolonged buyer’s market, and hopeful home owners can choose from fine homes in the downtown and riverfront areas. The city is slowly revitalizing itself, growing from the west. Older buildings are being saved with Midtown especially retaining an antebellum grace. In the far east, faux-estates with acreage abound. Memphis offers homes in every price range, but is generally know for it’s reasonable prices with luxury homes with river views available for around a million in many cases. With pro-sports teams, museums, year-round festivals, cultural activities, and southern ambiance, Memphis Tennessee offers a great place to settle in and raise a family.
There’s the history of Memphis architecture for you.
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