Oh, how the retro world loves breeze blocks. That is: Decorative concrete blocks. No one can know for sure how many designs were made, but I bet that Jack LeVine‘s collection, displayed like art in the back yard of his lovely Las Vegas home — gives us the best count we have so far. How many breeze blocks are in his collection? He says: 34. When I visited his house as part of Nevada Preservation Foundation‘s Vintage Las Vegas Home & History Tour a few months ago, I tried to photograph them all. Finally: Here’s the stash to ogle — and covet. Get yer scrolling finger ready, set, go!
- Want to find ’em made new today? See this story.
Okay, so scrolling and counting, I think I get only 28. In any case: It’s WILD, isn’t it, how many of these designs were made!
Retro Renovation readers are kinda obsessed with breeze blocks; my stories on them are among the most popular in terms of search etc:
Hugs, Jack!
More: Another recent story on Jack’s collection!
I love this site! I’m obsessed with breeze blocks and found my way here via Google search to find someone who sells them. I had my heart set on the square in square, but that was before I saw this post. I had no idea there were so many varieties!
I recently moved into a prairie style house built in 1950, and I’m determined to use breeze blocks somehow, somewhere, on the property.
Thank you!
Hi Gabrielle,
I presume you saw this big overview story on where to find breeze blocks all across the country, but just in case >> https://retrorenovation.com/2010/04/26/where-to-buy-decorative-concrete-screen-blocks/
Have fun!
Have found over 30 of blocks at my Mom’s house
Inverted u shapes
Found a picture of one on this site.
It is a hard style to find
How much would they be worth
My Mom has passes and cleaning out her house
Hi Cyleen, I am not an expert on valuations. See this story, you could learn comps from someone who sells them today >> https://retrorenovation.com/2010/04/26/where-to-buy-decorative-concrete-screen-blocks/
I love it! How awesome is this!? Oh so very! Would love to have a backyard that displayed Mid-Century breeze blocks like a museum! Just brilliant!
The last one, the rectangular block with the circle in the center, surrounded my back yard for the 21 years I lived in my last house. I miss them!
ive been hunting for some of these without luck until i found this amazing site@ THank you thankyou! i have no clue why they’re not more commonplace, theyre GREAT!
Love them!! I don’t understand why most of these designs are not still sold today, its a decorative touch missing from today’s standard design.
26 designs available today here though!: https://retrorenovation.com/2010/04/26/where-to-buy-decorative-concrete-screen-blocks/
I love them all…but can’t get the circles out of my head! (one of the first pics) I have a glass block that has bubbles in it, and I’m picturing it in a wall of the circle concrete, accented with the glass block bubbles…squeeeeeeeeee…
Oh that starburst… gasp.
OMG…I love the varied circled block!
There is a 1960s apartment building one street over from me that has its entire pool area surrounded by these. They look incredible en masse.