By David Meek | The Arizona Report
Between 1949 and 1973, the Staggs-Bilt Corporation constructed over 14,000 homes in 63 subdivisions around greater Phoenix. That’s a remarkable feat for any builder.
In terms of volume, it puts CEO Ralph E. Staggs in a league with mid-century Phoenix homebuilder giants John F. Long, Del E. Webb and John Hall. By my calculations, Staggs alone is responsible for creating approximately 1.3% of the Valley’s present-day single-family housing stock.
Staggs’ fingerprint on the mid-century Valley homes was consistent over the four decades that he built. His product was an affordable, low-cost, primarily one-level, masonry ranch home. The floor plans offered 2-to-4 bedrooms and typically ranged from 1,150 to 1,800 square feet. He raised homes across the Phoenix metro from Glendale to Mesa on lots less than one-sixth acre in size.
