across the u.s.mid-century modernoklahoma

Lortondale, Tulsa

Lortondale is a midtown Tulsa subdivision of low-slung modern houses designed by architect Donald Honn and built by developer Howard Grubb between 1954 and 1957. About 220 homes and two neighborhood pools were finished out of a 540-home plan, with very low-pitched or flat roofs and walls of floor-to-ceiling glass. The neighborhood has sought National Register listing, but we found no listing record and no City of Tulsa historic preservation zoning.

The housesThe rulesBefore you buy

  • built1954–1957construction years
  • homesabout 220of 540 planned; counts vary
  • architectDonald Honndeveloper Howard C. Grubb
  • designationnone foundNational Register listing sought

the houses

What makes them distinctive

  • Low roofs, glass wallsHonn’s houses are described as having extremely low-pitched roofs, open floor plans and walls of floor-to-ceiling glass, and the Tulsa Preservation Commission calls the flat roof a character-defining feature.
  • Modern equipmentGrubb’s plan offered architect-designed homes at moderate prices with central heating and air conditioning, and kitchens came with Formica counters, fluorescent lighting, dishwashers and garbage disposals.
  • Former Lorton estateThe land was the 1920s country estate of Tulsa World publisher Eugene Lorton and later Meadowbrook Country Club before Grubb and partners Dale Carter and J. W. McMichael bought it in 1952.
  • Smaller than plannedThe plan called for 540 homes on four 40-acre tracts, but about 220 homes and two pools were built, partly because the Federal Housing Administration wouldn’t guarantee loans on modern homes.
  • National pressThe pool boards say the development won design awards in the mid-1950s and that its homes appeared in House and Home and Better Homes and Gardens.
  • Neighborhood poolsThe Lortondale Club Pool and the 5300 Club Pool are volunteer-run membership pools dating to the 1950s.

protection

Designation and the rules

  • No National Register listing foundSources from 2021 and 2022 say Lortondale is seeking National Register listing, and it doesn’t appear on the Tulsa Preservation Commission’s list of National Register districts. Even if listed later, listing alone doesn’t restrict a private owner using private funds.
  • No city historic zoningLortondale isn’t one of the Tulsa sites with Historic Preservation overlay zoning, the designation that puts exterior work under the commission’s design review; standard City of Tulsa building permits still apply.
  • Tax credits unlikelyThe historic rehabilitation tax credits the Tulsa Preservation Commission describes require an income-producing building that is listed or contributes to a listed district, so an owner-occupied Lortondale house doesn’t qualify under its current status.
  • Association, no covenants foundA Lortondale Neighborhood Association exists and has backed pool fundraising; we found no recorded covenants or design rules for the subdivision.

before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Check the rooflineThe low, flat roof is the signature feature, and the Tulsa Preservation Commission has pictured an “insensitive alteration” to one here; ask whether the roof profile has been changed and get a roof inspection.
  • Look at the glassFloor-to-ceiling window walls were central to Honn’s designs, so check whether they’re original, replaced or partly filled in.
  • Gauge originalityA 2009 architecture tour found houses ranging from heavily “remuddled” to nearly untouched; compare the house with original features such as mahogany paneling and the 1950s kitchen layout.
  • Ask for permit historyRequest records for additions, roof and mechanical work; the City of Tulsa Permit Center handles residential building permits.
  • Pools are separateThe two neighborhood pools are run by their own volunteer boards with optional memberships, so access doesn’t come with a home purchase.
property nerd note

Sources disagree on how many homes were built (about 220, over 200 or about 250), on how many were planned (540 or about 400) and on original prices, and a 2007 University of Oklahoma survey of the neighborhood couldn’t be opened.

sources

Where this comes from

Checked October 20, 2026.

questions

Questions we hear

Is Lortondale on the National Register of Historic Places?

We found no listing record. Sources from 2021 and 2022 say the neighborhood is seeking listing, and it isn’t on the Tulsa Preservation Commission’s list of National Register districts.

Does the city review exterior changes to Lortondale homes?

Lortondale doesn’t have City of Tulsa Historic Preservation overlay zoning, so commission design review doesn’t apply; ordinary city building permits still do.

Who designed and built Lortondale?

Tulsa architect Donald Honn designed the houses, and builder Howard C. Grubb developed the tract with partners Dale Carter and J. W. McMichael.

more to learn

Keep going

General information from the sources listed, checked October 20, 2026; not legal, preservation or construction advice. Confirm designation and permit rules with the local preservation office before you buy or remodel. The Boyenga Team represents buyers and sellers in Santa Clara County, bay-side San Mateo County and San Francisco.

talk to a property nerd

Love mid-century modern?

The Boyenga Team has sold Silicon Valley homes since 1996, including Eichlers and other mid-century modern houses. If you’re buying or selling one in the Bay Area, talk to a Property Nerd. Commissions are negotiable, and we offer bundled services, so ask us what’s included.

Book a strategy callCall (408) 373-1660Call (650) 383-8606

Love mid-century modern? Send us a note.

Eric & Janelle Boyenga

Eric & Janelle Boyenga

+1(408) 373-1660

Agent DRE01254724 / 01254725

Agent DRE01254724 / 01254725

Name

Name

Phone*

Phone

Message

By checking this box, I agree by electronic signature to the Electronic Disclosure Consent Agreement; to receive recurring marketing communication from Boyenga Team / Compass, including auto-dialed calls, texts, and artificial/prerecorded voice messages (message frequency varies; data rates may apply; reply "STOP" to opt-out of texts or "HELP" for assistance); and to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy of this website. Consent not required to make a purchase. I understand that I can call to obtain direct assistance.