The senior's retirement community visionary Del Webb raised the bar for senior communities, in Charlotte and elsewhere – a standard that continues. Sun City, Del Webb's crowning achievement, was sprung on New Year's Day in January of 1960 with much fanfare to a gathering of tens of thousands! As the very first retirement community, it featured five different models for homes, a golf course, a recreation center, a shopping center and perfect location near Phoenix, Arizona - on a land formerly used as a cotton field. The uproar created by Sun City garnered a cover story in the prestigious Time magazine. As is now obvious, Webb had found fame planting a new senior community.
Delbert Eugene Webb, born in California in May of 1899. After his father's farming business closed Webb dropped out of high school to work as a carpenter's apprentice, and later a ship fitter. It was while working at the former that he discovered the basics of architecture. At that time he could not have known that this knowledge would help him build his acclaimed retirement communities in the future.
By the late 1920s in the United States, Webb had created a fine reputation for himself and his construction company. During the Second World War, Del Webb assisted folks in building homes to suit their needs and their budgets. In 1948 he was contracted to build around 600 houses and shopping centers known as Pueblo Gardens in Tucson, Arizona. This development was essentially a preview to Sun City.
Webb was also known for his building of Las Vegas' famous Flamingo Hotel, Charlotte's Sun City Carolina Lakes, and creating what came to be known as "motor hotels," in addition to retirement communities, which his name has become synonymous with.
Today, the tradition of convenience and excellence offered by Webb's Sun City is carried on by the Del Webb Company, which has purposefully carried out Webb's vision since his death in 1974.
Although times have changed, Del Webb's creative and talented team has grown and changed with the times building senior communities in the manner for which they are known. Nowadays, the Del Webb Company strives to keep energy efficiency and environment at the forefront of the operation without sacrificing their well-established tradition. In fact, Del Webb has became known as a leader in energy-efficient homes, always looking for ways to maximize savings for homeowners through conservation. Del Webb's first "green" community was established in Fredericksburg, VA, with many others to follow.
