The Hallcraft Showcase of Homes was a model homes display built by Hallcraft Homes at Camelback Road and 22nd Street in Phoenix in 1967. It was a novel concept at the time: a “shopping center” of homes that could showcase the models for all of the builder’s subdivisions in one central location. Indeed, the showcase was situated along a busy commercial corridor alongside two large shopping malls.

The showcase initially comprised of ten single-family home models arranged in a horseshoe shape in a park-like setting. Tape recordings of birds played in the daytime, and crickets played at night. There was also a playground to entertain kids while their parents toured the model homes.

The entrance was comprised of a two-story reception building situated slightly higher than the homes, so that it could have a view over the complex. The reception building included displays and plat plans of the various subdivisions, along with aerial photographs and individual pictures of schools, shopping centers, churches and other attractions in the vicinity of each development.

When the showcase opened in 1967, the ten model homes served to replace 40 models that Hallcraft had been maintaining at its four subdivisions. In this sense, the showcase was considered not just a convenience, but also a measure of efficiency, particularly as it also allowed sales activities to also be centralized. Over the years, the individual model homes would be swapped out to make way for newer models, with the older homes typically lifted up and moved to a vacant lot elsewhere to be sold to a buyer. In later years, townhouse models were added to the display. The showcase remained in operation until 1976.

Below are downloads of a Showcase of Homes brochure from c. 1973, and a 1967 article in the trade publication House & Home.