INTRODUCTION
The Morelli House is a superb example of Las Vegas mid-century residential architecture, displaying a high degree of integrity of design, materials, and workmanship. Together with its association with Antonio Morelli, an important figure in the development of Las Vegas, the Morelli House was placed on three historic registers: the State of Nevada (2001), the City of Las Vegas (2007), and the National Register of Historic Places (2012).
While researching its history, Junior League representatives asked Dr. Janet White of UNLV’s Department of Architecture to evaluate the architectural significance of the Morelli House to the City of Las Vegas. She rated the House’s architectural merit as high because this dwelling represented an upper-middle-class example of Mid-Century Modern style developed in the late 50s and early 60s, a period of the city’s flamboyant and rapid growth. She noted there was significant additional value because the builder/owner, Antonio Morelli, was an important member of the community through his work as music director at the Sands Hotel and his involvement in the musical activities of the community. She identified the “primary spaces” of the House as the exterior, entry, kitchen-breakfast nook, dining room, living room and the guest and master bathrooms, rooms which needed to be restored to their original state (as close as possible) under the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Guidelines for Rehabilitation. She also confirmed that the master and guest bedrooms were “secondary spaces” and could be used by the Junior League as an office and board room rather than restored to their original purpose.
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