Very Vintage Vegas

Contemporary Arts Center And Opportunity Village Fundraiser Is Huge Success – Hosted By Ken Wolfson Of Wolfson Lofts

January 30th, 2009 Categories: ART

Hosted by Ken Wolfson at his Wolfson Lofts project, the Avenue, several hundred people packed the cocktail party and silent auction.

We’re very pleased to see so many people, (including many suburbanites) out for an evening of Art and Conversation in the Historic Neighborhoods of Las Vegas.

There’s lots of art openings, as well as many special events such as this, every month, and you’re always invited.

Each piece of art was a collaboration between one of the well known downtown artists who are members of the Contemporary Arts Center, and one of the clients of Opportunity Village.

Opportunity Village Clients served the appetizers, and many of their artists were present as well.

All of the pictures are in an album on my facebook page, but I’m posting here some publicity shots from when the lofts were for sale, as well as a few crowd shots from last night.

Ken’s whispered in my ear that he’s planning a new urban infill project that he says will knock my socks off. He’s in the drawing stages for 2 story cocktail houses that pay homage to all the great design elements of mid century modern –but with a 21^st century modern sensibility. I can’t wait to see what he’s cooking up next.

Ken Wolson thoroughly understands the concept that was achieved in what we now call “Mid Century Modern”. Open living, walls of glass for natural light and the merging of indoor and outdoor living. Clean lines, simple furnishings, and natural stone accents give a sophisticated urban feel.

Ken gratiously donated this loft for last nights party, and the Contemporary Arts Center and Opportunity Village are most grateful.  

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Decorative Concrete Block – A Staple Of Mid Century Modern Architecture And Design

January 30th, 2009 Categories: Decorative Concrete Block Designs

Marguerite Goswick, a regular reader from Florida sent me a mid century modern concrete block design that I’d never seen before.

If you’re new to VeryVintageVegas, you might have as much fun as the rest of us did, by checking out the series that we did last summer.

We documented EVERY decorative concrete block design that we could find in Vintage Vegas. You can see the whole series here.

I seriously doubt that we missed any in Las Vegas, but since I found some unique ones in LA, and Marguerete found this one in Florida, I’m betting there’s a lot more that were unique to other parts of the country.

If any of you readers outside of Las Vegas spot a pattern that wasn’t covered in our series, I welcome you to also send in a picture.

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Worst MLS Photo Of The Day –

January 30th, 2009 Categories: Worst MLS Photo

Reader Gary Sanchez sent in this one. Blue shopping carts are not my idea of yard art. Thanks, Gary!

If any of you spot one that might be worthy of being a WMLSPOTD, then send it in, or send me the address or or MLS number.

As I try to get back on my normal schedule, I’ll take all the help I can get.

Is  there a story in the news that I should mention? Send me a link.

An art, music, culture or history event that should be promoted? Tell me about it.

Do you know of a really cool Vintage Vegas home that ought to be shown off? Let me know.

There’s probably 10,000 regular readers out there, and I’d love to have your ideas.

The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURES AT ALL!

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Worst MLS Photo Of The Day – A Topsy Turvey world

January 29th, 2009 Categories: Worst MLS Photo

Because I’m currently living in bizarro world – where up is down and in is out and black and white go well with brown and all of it is weird…..

I bring you a totally functional kitchen.

The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURES AT ALL!

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Reminder – Tonight – An Urban Collaboration

January 29th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas Real Estate News

This should be a fun event, and it’s open to the public.

If you never got to see the Wolfson Lofts, then it’s worth it just to see 21^st Century Modernism done right.

I support and promote both the Contemporary Arts Center and Opportunity Village, and I hope that you will also.

Thursday, January 29^th, 6 to 9 pm at the Wolfson Lofts.

Wolfson Lofts are located on Tonopah between Charleston and Rancho, just north of UMC Hospital.

 (the invitation is a clickable thumbnail if you’d like to see it full sized)

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Thank You For All Your Kind Thoughts And Hugs

January 28th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas Real Estate News

Without going into any details, I want to thank everyone who emailed, commented, wrote on my facebook wall or phoned.

The crisis isn’t over yet, and there won’t be any long term good news. Every family faces this kind of situation, and it’s my turn this time.

With the help of a lot of good friends and family, I’ll be able to return to my normal hectic schedule, and still be able to take care of JJ while he’s in hospice care.

Again, thanks for all the hugs.

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10 Cities Boasting Mini Sales Booms

January 28th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas Real Estate News

10 Cities Boasting Mini Sales Booms
Some cities that were hardest hit by the real downturn are experiencing mini sales booms.

Las Vegas real estate properties are down 28 percent in price, but sales of homes are up 15 percent.

Motivated buyers accounted for 64 percent of Las Vegas sales in October, says Radar Logic, a derivatives firm. That’s the highest rate in the country.

“There’s a pretty active housing market, it’s simply at a lower-priced inventory,” says Michael Feder, chief executive of Radar Logic. “And there are now bidding wars taking place over homes in foreclosure.”

Phoenix and San Diego are reporting similar experiences.

“We’re clearing out the bad news,” says Kiva Patten, a director at Merrill Lynch specializing in housing derivatives.

“By the end of 2010 – that’s where we’re calling the bottom in the forward market. You’re going to get a small price appreciation in 2011,” says Patten. “It’s not like the turn is 10 percent per year, it’ll be something like 3 percent or 4 percent.”

Here are the cities where experts say it makes the most sense to buy now.

Las Vegas
Sacramento, Calif.
San Diego, Calif.
Los Angeles
Detroit
Phoenix
San Francisco
Washington, D.C.
San Jose
Atlanta

Source: Forbes, Matt Woolsey (01/12/09)

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Uncle Jack Is….

January 24th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas Real Estate News

dealing with family emergencies, and is totally distracted.

Stand by. He’ll be able to start blogging and working again, in the next few days.

He’s accepting all hugs, whether in person, phone, FB, email or comments.

Sincerely,

Paco, MaryJOY, Steve, Pam, Susan, Erin & Rachel, Walt & Terry, and many other of his closest friends and family.

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Paradise Palms – An Historic Mid Century Modern Neighborhood In Las Vegas

January 21st, 2009 Categories: Fun Features Found In Foreclosures, Paradise Palms

Here’s the other best deal in Paradise Palms (Besides the “Johnny Carson” house that is). 4000 sf on the National Golf Course.

It’s 5 bedrooms and 4 baths with a 3 car garage.

The Bank is GIVING AWAY this Mid Century Modern Home in the historic Las Vegas neighborhood of Paradise Palms. 

They put a list price of $238,900 on it. They’ll either get lots of offers, and the price will get bid up, or someone’s going to get a winning lottery ticket on it.

I currently don’t have ANYONE looking for a house that big, but if you are, then you ought to call me right away. I’m guessing the window of opportunity on this one will close quickly.

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Vintage Las Vegas And Retro Las Vegas – What’s the Difference?

January 20th, 2009 Categories: Mid Century Modern

Here’s a few examples.

Vintage – From the Moulin Rouge (or what’s left of it) on Bonanza in the historic west side of Las Vegas

Retro – the new Eastside Cannery Casino on Boulder Highway in Las Vegas.

Vintage Las Vegas – If you’re a true lover of Mid Century Modern architecture and design, then you’ll freak out if you drive up and down the streets between Sahara and Karen, and from Joe W. Brown going west to the Commercial Center.

I’ve been meaning to post about these doomed apartment buildings. I promise to get to them. Stay with me.  

Retro Las Vegas – Also from the Eastside Cannery Hotel and Casino.

How come no one ever mentioned that the Cannery is a fabulous retro property? I’ll do a full post on it soon, as well. If you really want to make your place swanky, then you could pick up a lot of great ideas during a stroll thru the Cannery.

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Fun Features Found In Foreclosures…And Rentals…And Estate Sales

January 20th, 2009 Categories: Fun Features Found In Foreclosures

Frank ended up buying this great swag lamp (and the McNeil house where we found it). It wasn’t even on the market yet.

I’d attended an estate sale there, and just knew it was the perfect home for him.

If you know of a great home in any of the Vintage Vegas neighborhoods that isn’t on the market yet….Please have the owner call me. I probably already know the right buyer for it.

We found this terrific railing in a McNeil Trilevel that same day. It was the only thing worth taking a picture of, as it’s a huge home that’s half remodeled in a bad Home Depot sort of way.

Speaking of great railings…. This is from the Robert Maheu home in Paradise Palms (next to the Casino House). For Lease at $2495 a month.

So is this one piece Terrazzo Tub. I’ve never seen one like it. Obviously, it was hand poured in place.

And this sunken bathtub with it’s garden window is in the “Johnny Carson Home” that I told you about the other day.

I don’t know why I forgot to include this shot. The whole house is in equivalent state of neglect and disrepair, but it’s one of the most architecturally important homes of Paradise Palms.

I’m anxiously looking for someone with LOTS of money that wants to take on a SERIOUS project home. I need someone who can make it back into the Mid Mod showplace that it was when I first saw it 20 years ago. Know someone? Give me a call.

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Worst MLS Photo Of The Day

January 20th, 2009 Categories: Worst MLS Photo

Looking good!

I’ve been hiding under the covers myself for the last few days. Nasty head cold. Haven’t shown or seen any houses since Thursday.

Paper work is stacking up and blog posting was minimal at best.

It’s a whole new world starting at 9am (noon eastern). There’s plenty of work to do to clean up the mess. Let’s start with making the beds.

The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURES AT ALL!

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An Urban Collaboration – Contemporary Arts Center And Opportunity Village Fundraiser

January 18th, 2009 Categories: ART

This should be a fun event, and it’s open to the public.

If you never got to see the Wolfson Lofts, then it’s worth it just to see 21^st Century Modernism done right.

I support and promote both the Contemporary Arts Center and Opportunity Village, and I hope that you will also.

Thursday, January 29^th, 6 to 9 pm at the Wolfson Lofts.

Wolfson Lofts are located on Tonopah between Charleston and Rancho, just north of UMC Hospital.

 (the invitation is a clickable thumbnail if you’d like to see it full sized)

Posted by Jack LeVine | Currently 1 Comment »

Mesquite Club Petitions For Historic Property Designation

January 16th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas History

The Mesquite Club is seeking Historic Property designation for its clubhouse at 702 St. Louis Ave.

The first step in the process is a presentation to the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Las Vegas. The Commission meeting is January 28,2008, 12:15 pm. The meeting is in the Development Services Building at 731 S. Fourth Street. 

Established in 1911, the Mesquite Club is the oldest non-profit women’s club in Nevada. The club’s formal debut took place just six years after the emergence of early Las Vegas on building lots put up for auction by the railroad in 1905.

The Mesquite Club took it’s name from the indigenous mesquite trees which, at that time, provided most of the shade for the Southern Nevada desert. Once established, the club immediately set to work addressing the civic, cultural and general welfare needs of the community.

Over the years the Mesquite Club has participated in numerous projects and is credited with many “firsts”.
Beginning with its first major project, which entailed the planting of 2,000 cottonwood trees (to provide additional, much needed, shade to the desert community), the club can also claim credit for its involvement in the following projects:
Forming a USO Club during World War II.
Helping to start the Secret Witness Program (known today as “Crimestoppers”).
Establishing a Memorial Endowment at U.N.L.V. for the purchase of children’s literature.
Donating to the Judy Bailey Theatre.
Establishing the first library in Las Vegas.
Establishing and helping to maintain the Rose Garden in Lorenzi Park.

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Les Folies Bergere To End Its 49 Year Run At The Tropicana

January 16th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas History

The Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel was the first show I ever saw in Las Vegas. We took my father to it for his 50th Birthday in 1975. They had just moved here, and I came for my first visit to be there for his party.

Yesterday it was announced that the last performance will be on March 28,2009.

The Las Vegas News Bureau has been sending news wire photos all over the world for 60 years. Here’s 2 of them. The first is from 1972, and then 25 years later in 1997.

As you can see, nothing ever stays the same in Las Vegas.

Les Folies Bergere showgirls perform on stage at the Tropicana Las Vegas,

This is the May 24, 1972  file photo, provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau.

Les Folies Bergere showgirls perform on stage at the Tropicana Las Vegas,

This is an  April 14, 1997  file photo, provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau.

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