First in a series profiling Tucson’s many fabulous neighborhoods

When I relocated from New York City and began my home search in Tucson, I concentrated up in the North, where the Foothills area offers fabulous views, strong communities and opportunity to own acreage in our lovely Sonoran desert. But if you’re a fan of history and magnificent architecture, look at El Presidio District, a beautiful downtown community of diverse housing and deep historical roots.

On the National Register of Historic Places, El Presidio District is home to one of the nation’s oldest inhabited Native American sites as well as the original Tucson walled fort. Here you can live amidst impressive adobe homes and remnants of the 18th-century walled compound that was old Tucson! And this rich experience with history is balanced with close proximity to elegant structures that now house a contemporary mix of shops, professional offices, galleries, restaurants and museums.

There are many gorgeous homes of diverse architectural styles in this historic district roughly bounded by Washington, Pennington, Church and Granada. Take a ramble down there this week, and the streetscape you’ll find contains an interesting residential mix complete with lush desert plantings and brightly painted doors.

The appeal of stunning homes and a strong neighborhood is complemented by the area’s shopping, dining and cultural opportunities. For example, enter the courtyard of Old Town Artisans and be prepared for a wonderful experience offering a variety of shopping options. Dine at historic El Charro Cafe (and don’t miss the tasty Carne Seca!) And of course visit the Tucson Museum of Art, where Contemporary, Mexican, Western and Native American exhibits celebrate the diverse cultures of our region. Imagine a lifestyle with all this in your backyard, and with the downtown business district nearby!

From homes with Mexican-Spanish influences to contemporary residences renovated with edgy designer flair, El Presidio District offers fine living in a small village atmosphere. Consider owning a piece of Tucson history. Contact Ronald Park today and he will have the answers you need!

Save the Date: April 5, 2008 for El Presidio Spring Fiesta! Hours: 10am-3pm. Start out at SW corner, Church & Washington. Parking is free on nearby streets on the weekends. Enjoy historical walking tours, arts and cultural demonstrations, games, cuisine and more in the District!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm and is filed under Neighborhoods. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.