McNeil is my favorite Downtown neighborhood, and the one I call home. Rich in history and a visual delight, McNeil is a neighborhood that has the sophistication of Scotch 80’s mixed with the amiable neighbors of Paradise Palms.
McNeil, sometimes referred to as McNeil Estates, McNeil Tract or McNeil Manor, is a custom home neighborhood between Charleston and Oakey to the North and South and between Rancho to Cashman Drive to the East and West. Homes here were built in the 50's – 70's with ranch style architecture, most home being single story with large lots and deep pools. This neighborhood, once a hidden gem, is gaining a lot of popularity from those seeking an alternative to the stucco homes of Summerlin and Green Valley. .
McNeil was developed between 1947 and 1978, with most of the 513 homes constructed in the 1950s and 1960s. McNeil was created with the help of Colanthe “Florence” Murphy, who was one of the pioneering aviatrix in the Valley, and Real Estate developer Larry McNeil. In the 1940’s, Larry McNeil was contracted to build the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson. He soon discovered that there was a shortage of housing in Las Vegas. He had thousands of employees without any place to live. Larry McNeil first developed Huntridge and bought acres of land in the now McNeil Neighborhood. Shortly after, he purchased the land of Scotch 80’s. He then was instrumental in getting George Ashby, who was president of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and Frank Strong, who was the vice president in charge of land development, into moving to Las Vegas. That is where is the streets name in McNeil came from; Strong Drive, Ashby Ave, Colanthe Ave.
Cahlen is named for newspaper reporter A.E. Cahlen, Campbell Drive is named for Tom Campbell, one of the first realtors in the valley and Buehler Drive, for a mine owner and member of the Colorado River Commission Jack Buehler.
According to the article written by Mark Hall-Patton, A.E. Cahlen said they were meeting on the day McNeil was showing off his new subdivision and he needed names for the streets. The article states: "In the same area are two streets that tell a fun story. When Larry G. McNeil was laying out his subdivision, he asked Florence Murphy if he could name a street for her. Florence was the first woman to serve as the vice-president of a scheduled airline, and was a co-founder and operator of the Sky Haven Airport, today’s North Las Vegas Air Terminal. She said no, but finally relented and said he could use her real first name for a street on the condition he named a street after his own real middle name. Today we have Colanthe Avenue and Gilmary Avenue to show for this conversation. "
Murphy and McNeil simply cut up and sold off the lots. Most of the homes in McNeil are custom. There are a few similar houses that were built by the same builder and a few different lots.
McNeil offers custom homes sizes from approximately 1,200 to 6,500 square feet. Most of the homes are Ranch style with some Mid Mods and Desert Modern touches. Living in McNeil, you can find details like tongue and grove vaulted ceilings in solid birch, floor to ceiling windows that open out to spacious backyard with a classic Las Vegas 10-foot deep pool and diving board.
Another highlight of the McNeil neighborhood is the over-sized lots, many at least a quarter acre in size and in some cases, specifically on Ashby Ave.Ashby Ave is known for having lot sizes from 1/3 Acre to over two acres. Ashby is one of the most unique streets in Las Vegas. Being in the city center, it is odd to see a residential road with no sidewalk or streetlights. Ashby was once home to many horses. Up until a few years ago, you could still see a horse and its owner walk the streets.
McNeil does not have a formal association, but there is a group of dedicated homeowners who have worked together to keep the residents informed of any issues affecting the neighborhood such as crime prevention, traffic, non-conforming buildings and improving communication. McNeil's association members and neighborhood volunteers have started a strong neighborhood watch program where participants actively communicate with each other in person as well as using technology such as Facebook. Residents are also kept informed via e-mail and at neighborhood meeting help every other month.
Besides meetings, the association and the neighborhood have held several other programs, including "coffee at the curb”, a Pet Parade, and an annual neighborhood Block Party. This year's block brought together almost 400 neighbors!
A strong interest of the home-buying population is moving back to the city core. With Rising gas price, long commutes, and the desire for a genuine urban lifestyle, living closer to the city is on the wish list of many homebuyers.
I think McNeil is one of the finest neighborhoods in the city, mostly thanks to the people who live there. The residents and hard work and concern to constantly improve the community, make it one of the most desirable neighborhoods to live in. These half-century old homes, distinguished by mulberry trees, grassy lawns with white picket fences and neighbors who will always wave, is definitely worth a look, no matter where you choose to buy or rent.
Currently For Sale in McNeil: