Declared a delightful development by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1937 Buckingham Village is a remarkable example of planned garden-style apartments. It’s one of the first of its kind in the United States. Look around you. See the charming Colonial Revival architecture? Those two and three-story brick buildings arranged around U-shaped courtyards create a unique park-like setting. Buckingham Village wasn’t just aesthetically pleasing. It was also a forward-thinking project. Designed and built in six phases between 1937 and 1953 it was intended as a middle-income neighborhood. The Federal Housing Administration FHA insured mortgages for each phase. The initial success led to increased production to meet the high demand for affordable quality housing.
The visionary behind Buckingham was Allie Freed. He chaired the Committee for Economic Recovery. His goal was to stimulate the economy through large-scale privately financed housing. He also wanted to modernize the construction industry. Freed incorporated automobile industry production techniques. He even pioneered the use of prefabrication. Buckingham’s proximity to the nation’s capital gave it significant visibility and political influence. This impacted housing development nationwide.
Despite changes over the years Buckingham retains its cohesive design. While some buildings have been lost to demolition the core of the garden-apartment complex remains. The community continues to thrive. In 1998 Ballston Park at Buckingham Village was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This section represents the first phase of the development. Later expansions to the register included additional buildings. Today Buckingham Village is more than just apartments. It’s a testament to innovative community planning. It’s also a significant architectural achievement. The architects Henry Wright Albert Lueders and Allan Kamstra blended garden-apartment planning with FHA financing guidelines. Their creation stands as a model for similar projects. The result is a harmonious blend of history affordability and community spirit. Enjoy the unique charm of Buckingham Village.