In the 1950s and ‘60s, Beverly Green was one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Las Vegas.
The houses there were designed by prominent architects, built by well-known builders, and occupied by notable people.
The area today is perhaps a tad less glamorous than it was back then, but it’s still highly valued. It recently received a “historic district” designation on the Las Vegas Historic Property Register.
“Historic designation obviously it helps us raise awareness and pride in the past and encourages a sense of place that helps people put down roots in a community,” said Courtney Mooney, City of Las Vegas historian.
Mooney said the city looks at three different factors before designating a neighborhood as historic. First, a majority of the buildings must be more than 40 years old. Second, it has to represent a "significant connection" to the city's past and finally, it must have a significant presence through its architecture.
So far, just John S. Park Neighborhood and Beverly Green have hit all those criteria.
Mooney said the designation means people looking to make significant changes to their homes need to go through her office first.
“That creates a zoning overlay that protects the district via ordinance and that means any work that requires a permit is subject to review either by myself as historic preservation officer or by the historic preservation commission,” she said.
It doesn't impact changes like paint color or landscaping, but for changes like additions or solar panels - really anything that requires a permit from the city - must be approved first.
While it seems like another layer of bureaucracy, Mooney pointed out that homeowners in historic neighborhoods around the country see their property values stabilize and appreciate faster.
By the way, if you're wondering where the name "Beverly Green" came from, you are not alone. The city researchers couldn't track down it's origin. Anyone who does know where the name came from is asked to contact Courtney Mooney at the City of Las Vegas.
Courtney Mooney, historian, City of Las Vegas