In 1954 John F. Long began
the most ambitious project of his career. His idea was to not only build a
tract of houses in a specific area, but to include provisions for schools,
churches, hospitals, shopping centers, and parks. Working with Gruen and
Associates, an internationally recognized architectural, engineering and
planning firm, Long created the state’s first Master Planned Community. Named
after his wife, Maryvale was an instant hit.
Applying the same mass
production techniques to homebuilding that Henry Ford had used in the automobile
industry, Long was able to offer a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house, with swimming pool,
for less than $10,000. Soon houses
were selling at the rate of 100 a week, an average of six months before
completion. And so began the company which is now known as John F. Long Properties LLLP.
