[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

Maybe she's going to decorate the top of the wall so it looks like the walls of a medieval castle.

already been done.....go west on Alta from Rancho....the castle is on the right.....inside the Rancho Circle area ....

[butterflybird]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

already been done.....go west on Alta from Rancho....the castle is on the right.....inside the Rancho Circle area ....

LOL, this is too funny, I love it!

[Spraynard Kruger]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

This has been discussed in several other threads many times. Basically they provide privacy, and a certain amount of security. But the real reason is a psychological connection to the forts on the frontier, which Las Vegas is ...sort of. At least it was when the walls first started going up. People that give up the safety of a long time neighborhood where they are surrounded by family and friends that they've always relied on, come here all alone, knowing no one. They are rugged individualists ...pioneers in a way. It isn't that easy to make friends in Las Vegas, let alone build the kind of alliances and relationships that they had "back east". So they build a fort and disappear into it until the "Indians" attack, which is another obvious thing about Las Vegas. People you didn't even know were there will show up in an emergency to help out. It first became obvious during the MGM fire, and then the Las Vegas Hilton fire. The town or neighborhood is attacked, and they rush out and help fight off the attack, then disappear again until the next attack. It's a Las Vegas thing, and we won't give up our walls. I've noticed people that live where they don't have walls, or they have wooden walls, seem to like our block walls. Gives a better feeling of security, and that's what's important. Add a couple of dogs and a .45 ACP in the bedroom, and you'll sleep better at night.

What a well-thought response. I especially like the "rugged individualist" tie in. I would have never considered it that way. I might have to borrow on this one, buzz. Brilliant.

[bledsoe3]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

already been done.....go west on Alta from Rancho....the castle is on the right.....inside the Rancho Circle area ....

Isn't there another one on the corner of LVB and Tropicana?

Google Maps

[olecapt]

It is actually a southwestern thing. An outgrowth of the areas Spanish roots. Note that it is not present in early Las Vegas homes but comes in with the tract builders of the 60s and afterwards.

In the Spanish style the entire property is walled at the property line. Entry is by the garage and a large locked gate. You can't get any view of what the property is actually like until you get inside the walls.

The formula was modified in the southwest. In a concession to American styles a front set back is generally required providing some frontal space shared with the community. There are exceptions though. I know a very fancy neighborhood in Chino, CA where every home is right to the sidewalk...nothing but blank walls.

You find this style all through CA, AZ and NM as well as NV.

It is nice even with small properties but very nice with larger ones where you can landscape within the perimeter.

Note that over the last ten years the municipalities have banned flat block walls on the property line. Generally now a set back is required with landscaping. The planners discovered we were creating alleys of grand proportion all over town which were simply ugly.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

already been done.....go west on Alta from Rancho....the castle is on the right.....inside the Rancho Circle area ....

I think I got it: Bing Map

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by bledsoe3

Isn't there another one on the corner of LVB and Tropicana?

Google Maps

but thats a hotel....the other is a private residence.

[bledsoe3]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

but thats a hotel....the other is a private residence.

I like my castles big.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by olecapt

The formula was modified in the southwest. In a concession to American styles a front set back is generally required providing some frontal space shared with the community. There are exceptions though. I know a very fancy neighborhood in Chino, CA where every home is right to the sidewalk...nothing but blank walls.

I know of a neighborhood in Tempe, AZ that looks like that. Here's a good illustration on Google Maps Street View: Tempe, AZ.

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by tijlover

I just wish they'd add some concrete to the tops of the walls, and shape them with undulating waves, to make them appear more adobe like.

I was recently up in Snow Canyon in St. George where they have made the walls appear adobe-like, uneven undulating waves, and colored like adobe.
The squareness of the walls is very cold, unattrative. They could be made to be much more attractive, pleasing to the eye. In my backyard, one wall is painted cobalt blue and another forest green.

Like that...