Villa Adrian | 1970
By Haver, Nunn and Jensen for Del Trailor Gold Key Homes
Villa Adrian is a close cousin to other earlier Del Trailor developments such as
Golden Keys,
Hillcrest and
Villa D'Este. Not only does it represent the changing tastes and lock-n-leave lifestyle that Trailor became famous for as his infill developments continued to thrive through the early 1970s, it also represents a radical departure from the midcentury modern architectural style (which was considered to be passé) to postmodern revival of Italianate design.
The complex is inspired by the
UNESCO World Heritage Site "Hadrian's Villa" at Tivoli. The dramatic entry monument echoes an arc from the historic
Venus Temple.
Driving down the streets of this tiny infill development in Scottsdale is like accidentally swimming into a surrealist painting by diChirico, with sleek, white, minimalist columns situated to create grand entries in front of smooth, rectilinear, white façades.
Trailor wanted his developments to contribute to the walkable urban lifestyle for active seniors, which is what makes Villa Adrian and
Villa D'Este two prime examples of early high-density development that is close in-town to many shopping amenities in downtown Scottsdale.
