Style 101: Tudor Revival

Historic Tudor Revival home, Point Loma, CA | IS Architecture

The Tudor Revival style seems to recall a romanticized image of village architecture and the picturesque beauty of England in the time of the Tudors (1485 to 1603) but in fact is very different from true Tudor period architecture. When the revival style became popular in America in the early 20th century, American architects introduced features that are rare in original Tudor examples, such as the prominent front gable that so defines the American Tudor Revival. Also, the structural half-timbering of the original architecture became solely decorative over a standard wood frame; similarly, very few examples contain structural masonry elements.

The style — which is also called mock Tudor or sometimes just Tudor — can encompass a wide variety of structures from quaint cottages to rambling mansions and reflects an eclectic mix of English architectural elements. Although the style’s heyday was in the 1920s, Tudor Revival architecture is still popular for new construction today!

There are almost 80 Tudor Revival historic resources designated in San Diego. Could yours be next? Check out our handy infographic below to see if your home features the defining characteristics of a Tudor Revival house!