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| 02/23/64 |
Continued research at the Nevada
State Museum has at long last revealed one of the last large 1960’s tract
builders in Paradise Palms. Consisting
of 115 homes on approximately 32 acres, Paradise Palms Unit 15 is located in
the northwestern most portion of Paradise Palms, bounded by Golden Arrow Drive
to north, Sombrero Drive to the south, La Canada Drive to the west and Pawnee
Drive to the east.
These 32 acres were dubbed
Fontainebleau Estates by their builder, Eastern Enterprises. Two models were available, both with
French-inspired names. The Marquis model
features 1,800 square feet of living space for $31,300 – or $236,000 in 2013
dollars, while the Parisienne model encompassed 1,900 square feet of living
space starting at $32,000 – or $241,000 in 2013 dollars. Interestingly, only two models were offered;
however, a wide variety of exterior elevations ensured buyers that ‘your
Fontainebleau home will be distinctive in appearance, unlike your neighbors,
yet moderately priced.’
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| Fontainebleau Estates Location Map |
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| Fontainebleau Estates Preview Ad 03/01/64 |
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| Grand Opening Ad 03/22/64 |
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| 04/17/64 |
Models were located at the northwest corner of Pawnee Way and Sombrero Drive. Historic aerial photographs and building permits reveal that most likely those were the first two homes fronting Sombrero Drive. Along with elevation choice, buyers could
choose between oversized two-car garages or carports, while kitchens offered
pantries, Gaffers & Sattler built-ins (Gaffers and Sattler appliances were
folded into Magic Chef in 1969), extra-large garbage disposals and dishwashers,
Jensen hoods and spice racks and full luminous (wall-to-wall fluorescent) ceilings. Living areas offered fireplaces, sunken
living rooms, all-nylon carpeting, double front entry doors, built-in clothes
hampers and well-thought out spacious foyers.
Homes located along the
east side of Pawnee Drive, north side of Sombrero Drive, both sides of Silver Mesa
Way and the south side of Raindance Way were completed in 1964; homes located
along the south side of Sombrero Drive, north side of Raindance Way and both
sides of Golden Arrow were completed in 1965.
These homes would mark the last of the major tract-built homes in Paradise Palms, as the
Las Vegas economy entered a recession that year. A few custom homes in Paradise Palms popped up between 1968 and
1972, and it wasn’t until 1973 that the lots along the north side of Viking and
west side of Spencer between Viking and Twain were constructed, followed by the
last major tract on the former community park in 1979.
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| Model Home Bedroom 08/16/64 |
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| Marquis Model Interior 08/23/64 |
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| Fontainbleau Estates Marquis Model |
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| Fontainebleau Estates Parisienne Model |
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| Fontainebleau Estates Parisienne Model |
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| Fontainebleau Estates Marquis Model |
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| Fontainebleau Estates Marquis Model |
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| Fontainebleau Estates Marquis Model |
