The areas that started Phoenix and watched it develop are now in the midst of its rebirth as an active urban center and Medlock Place is in one of the best locations to not only watch, but partake in this transformation.

History

Medlock Place was one of the first suburban subdivision. It's hard to believe because this was only in 1926: that's when it first opened. At that time it was several miles outside of town. Medlock Place was born out of the Evan's Addition to Orangewood which was platted to the north by W.J. Murphy north of Bethany Home. Evan's Addition bordered it from Bethany Home South to Camelback Rd and 7th St. to 7th Ave. 

That was before 1900. Building of the homes took time.

Medlock Place, a new high-class subdivision and the neighborhood includes parts of six distinct subdivisions was platted from 1897 to 1938. The streets are straight with cardinal directions. All homes have a North/South exposure.

The first subdivision were on the South East corner of Camelback and Central. Much of the western and northern end of the district was not developed until later including after the second world war when the city was already much closer and a need for density and cost reduced plot sizes.

The neighborhood retains the rural character with mature trees, irrigated lots, no side-walks and dense flora.

You can read a more detailed history of Medlock Place that was submitted to National Register of Historic Places.

The architecture and homes.

There are several primary architectural styles in the district: the Period Revival era, 1926-1930, and the early Ranch era, 1935-1956.

Architectural styles include the Bungalow Style; Period Revival variants including the Pueblo Revival, American Colonial Revival, and the Southwest Style Spanish Colonial Revival, English Tudor Revival. There are modern homes as well: these include Art Deco and International Style and many California Ranches including the Transitional Ranch, French Provincial Ranch, Spanish Colonial Ranch, Contemporary Ranch, and American Colonial Ranch.

As mentioned before the older sections include the Period Revival styles while the newer sections are predominantly ranch homes.

While the historic parts are all single family houses, the neighbohrood is more then the historic houses, it now encompass town-homes, condos and a few multifamily buildings.

The lots tend to be bigger beginning from Camelback and Central going north and get smaller past 3rd Ave heading west. The size difference is very noticeable: about 19,000 sf to 7,500 sf.

Homes in Medlock Place sell from the mid $200’s to the mid $700’s but can sell for more: turn-over, not surprisingly is low. The condos can be purchased starting from $100,000.

There are 35 historic districts in Phoenix: explore them all.

Location and Outlook

The neighborhood will continue to gain popularity due to its proximity to downtown Phoenix. Medlock Place is within walking distance to 2 stations on the metro light rail, one at Central Ave and Camelback and the other at 7th Ave. and Camelback.

According to statistics from several sources and light rail type system tends to increase property values along it and more so if there are station within walking distance.

This along with the rich dining, shopping and business district surrounding mean that the future looks even better and for active residents who want to retain some sense of space while living in the urban heart will no doubt find Medlock Place very attractive.