community Archives

The Oak Circle Historic District

Posted on March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 by Hunter

How A 156 Year-Old Chicago Suburb Withstood The Test of Time

Nestled in a corner of Wilmette, IL the 156-year old suburb north of Chicago and located on the Lake Michigan shore, stands the Oak Circle Historic District. It is a small grouping of 15 early twentieth-century houses. Each built primarily in the Craftsmen style with magnificent detailing from the Prairie School of Architecture, both which were born from the Arts and Crafts movement.

Amazingly, the original integrity of 14 of the houses have survived the onslaught of time, enabling them to join the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Walking through the peace and tranquility of the Oak Circle Historic District leaves one bewildered of how graceful the path is. The curvature of the street adds considerable charm and status to Wilmette’s signature brick-paved streets. Venturing deeper, the houses reveal themselves — similar in style while each remains wonderfully and amazingly varied. The Prairie style motifs unabashedly present themselves from one home to the next — horizontal planes, leaded glass windows, the use of brick and wood — all coexisting in aesthetic harmony.

Red vitrified brick. Photo: Historic Pavements

Twelve of the houses on Oak Circle are bungalows, the house type most closely associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement in America. The bungalows, along with the other homes on the block, showcase a variety of features found in Craftsman architecture, as well as the distinctive bands of windows with geometric patterns of small-pane glazing associated with the Prairie style.

The 12 bungalows also exhibit a variety of floor plans. Some are one-story, some one-and-a-half, but no two are exactly alike. True to the Arts and Crafts ideal of being close to nature, the bungalows share a distinctive horizontal emphasis in tandem with the midwestern landscape.

Oak Circle is a treasure trove of sights waiting to be explored. Just only blocks away from the Wilmette public library and a 7-minute walk from Optima Verdana®, it’s a delightful architectural and historical landmark with boundless charm that reminds both residents and visitors why Wilmette remains a vibrant, delightful community!

Arizona Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Posted on March 3, 2023March 6, 2023 by Hunter

For those who are always on the hunt for vestiges of mid-century modernism, you’ll have some happy surprises right in Optima®’s own backyard — in Scottsdale. Here you’ll discover a history that is rich in architectural heft, including wholly-intact examples from the city’s 1950s community, where some of the finest mid-century modern structures remain.

Striking examples of mid-century modernity can be seen in Scottsdale’s commercial buildings scattered across the city, alongside several repurposed pubs and restaurants. Architectural gems can also be found in older neighborhoods. Especially those that were built by Ralph Haver. A local architect who utilized walls of glass, low-pitched roofs, and angled porch posts all packaged within a modestly-sized home.

Ralph Haver home. Photo: Leland Gebhardt

And don’t miss another example of impeccably-renovated mid-century vernacular in the sleek Hotel Valley Ho. The hotel boasts façades of glass and concrete panels that express arrowhead motifs. Opened in 1956, it was largely a getaway for a number of Hollywood stars. Zsa Zsa Gabor rode horses there. Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner had their wedding reception in the hotel ballroom. And Jimmy Durante used to play piano late at night in the lobby.

The Arizona Biltmore, a 39-acre resort not far down the road, is another example of the city’s architectural history. The Biltmore is often identified as a Frank Lloyd Wright building, but it was actually designed in collaboration with Albert Chase McArthur, a protege of the great master.

The nearly century-old hotel: Arizona Biltmore. Photo: Werner Segarra

The Biltmore has the dramatic presence of a large-scale Wright building, and is one of only 13 structures that Wright designed and in the area. His students, on the other hand, were involved with many others. For Wright acolytes, any visit to the Phoenix area begins with his winter residence and headquarters, Taliesin West. Now home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and located on the edge of the McDowell Mountains outside of Scottsdale. Which also happens to be where our most recent architectural development will be situated — Optima McDowell Mountain Village — Wright passed on his genius to an entire generation of eager architects such as Blaine Drake, Vern Swaback, and Heloise Crista.

No survey of mid-century modernist architecture is complete without the David and Gladys Wright House. David was one of Wright’s eight children, and the house the elder Wright designed for him was based on a rising spiral (also the design for New York’s Guggenheim Museum) while remaining imaginative and human in scale. The spiral lifts the living quarters above the treetops so that anyone in the house has access to carefully framed panoramic views of the mountains in the distance, and spaces that flow organically and wonderfully into one another.

It’s always a pleasure to connect our “Forever Modern” mantra at Optima® with the broad, deep mid-century modern legacy that lives on in the communities where we work and build!

Megan Hernandez Team Member Spotlight

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Hunter

At Optima®, our communities would not thrive without the outstanding work from our spirited team of individuals. We recently sat down with Megan Hernandez, People Experience Generalist at Optima, to discuss why she loves being part of such a passionate team and what she has learned throughout her experience here:

Tell us a bit about your background and the role you play at Optima.

My background is in human resources and administration. I spent some time applying this skill set in the finance industry and also worked in the city election space before coming to Optima. At Optima, I’m the People Experience Generalist based in Arizona. An interesting fact is that I lived in Chicago for my whole life before moving to Arizona, so I was able to also meet the Illinois-based team before moving to the Southwest. And now that I’m in Arizona, I am responsible for providing enhanced, more tangible support for our growing number of employees here, focusing on benefits, hiring, employee engagement and other fun things like that.

What drew you to Optima initially, and what’s kept you working there?

I was inspired to take my position at Optima in large part because of the great things I heard from Lisa Lowenthal, our People Experience Director. She went into detail about how Optima truly cares about its employees. I then did my research on the company, studied their history, learned about current projects and plans for the future, and came to understand their involvement in the community. Everything I learned excited me. When I was still living in downtown Chicago, I’d visited Optima Signature. At the time, I was in awe with everything the building offered and the quality of life for its residents, without even realizing it was an Optima property! That was a great discovery and connection to make after the fact, and further reinforced my great admiration for the company and its people.

I would say the people here keep me motivated and make me feel grounded. There’s a team atmosphere that makes me and everyone here feel welcomed, accepted and part of something.

How do you view the concept of community at Optima? How does it differ from other properties/buildings?

When I think of community at Optima, the first things that come to mind are connection and collaboration. To me, the concept of community at Optima means working together to create and cultivate that connection with other people and our surroundings. I would say that’s true for the Optima team internally but also for the people that we serve, the residents.

We have an understanding that community impacts how we live and how we work. In some ways, the team’s always connected with each other and the residents, and just by doing our part, we’re making a difference and creating an experience for those residents. I’ll also say that community means being able to collaborate and share ideas with people from all parts of the process, whether that be People Experience working with Marketing or working with Property Management, it’s a collaborative culture, and we’re able to touch different parts of the process.

I would say our concept of community is unique because we deliver a first-rate quality of life to residents and to people who work here by creating more than just individual living spaces. We create an environment that encourages you to be present in the moment and stop to marvel at what’s around you. I think that sets us apart from other buildings. And I’ll also say that as a People Experience team member, Optima is full of people that make you feel welcome, and that genuinely want you to have a great experience.

Optima has a unique set of values that differentiates it from other company cultures. How does that affect the quality of your work life? What values matter most to you?

Building strong, lasting relationships comes to mind first. To me, building strong relationships empowers us to be our most authentic selves and gives us the space and insight to support each other. Relationships and a healthy community are the foundation of the great team culture at Optima. We strive to bring out the best in each other on a day-to-day basis and invest in bettering ourselves, in the growth of others on the team, and even in the residents.

I would say I enjoy spending time on our various properties, which allows me to see and experience the connection that these teams have created with the residents. It’s beautiful and unique to Optima. I work at the Camelview Village office, which is close to Sonoran Village, and then Kierland is just right up the road. So I’ve spent some time at all of our different communities, and every time I go, I’m encouraged to go back and spend more time with the team and the people there.

One other value that sticks out to me is that we all create. While People Experience might not be the first team you would necessarily think of as a very creative role, I can say first-hand that it is, because we are encouraged to bring fresh thinking into everything we do.

What are some of the things you have learned in your time at Optima?

The phrase, ‘you learn something new every day’ is so fitting. One major thing that comes to mind is that the mainstream or standard way of doing things is not always the best way. Optima is vertically integrated, meaning that we control all aspects of our process, and I think that’s a wonderful example of learning new things. I’ve seen in real-time how our model creates a cycle of improvement and encourages communication. One team may see an opportunity for improvement, and they’re able to bring that to other teams, which can spark a discussion, large or small, that can make a positive change. It’s more than just finishing one project and moving on to the next, it’s a cycle of learning and bringing that knowledge with you to the future.

What makes you most proud to be a part of the Optima team?

I would say working at Optima, I’m proud to be part of something that strives for quality and isn’t afraid to set the bar high. I think it’s amazing to be part of a team that takes agency in what we’re doing, from the gorgeous designs to the top-tier resident experiences to the impeccable craftsmanship of our builders. Optima is full of people who want to help in any way that we can however we can, and that mindset is something I can connect with and be proud of.

Are there any upcoming Optima projects, experiences, etc. that you are most excited about looking at the year ahead?

I’m especially excited to be a part of our growth with Optima Verdana opening in Wilmette this year and construction starting on Optima McDowell Mountain Village in Scottsdale, because my job is helping bring fantastic team members into our Optima family.

Super Bowl LVII Live in Phoenix

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Hunter

Picture this, it’s the end of the week, the Sunday before you go back to business-as-usual. “We Will Rock You” by Queen plays as the stadium fills with a triumphant Boom-boom-clap! Boom-boom-clap! And the person next to you sports a Philadelphia Eagles hat almost resembling the mascot. Down on the field, massed bands perform the anthem alongside country music star, Chris Stapleton, and you know (especially the person next to you) that it’s Game-time.

Super Bowl XLVII is fast approaching, and the excitement is rapidly growing across the nation among teams and fans. This will be the fourth time the Super Bowl has been hosted in Phoenix (1996, 2007 and 2015 were the previous years), and the city is abuzz with anticipation. The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will face off at the award-winning State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The Cincinnati Bengals had the chance to make their second consecutive Super Bowl, but in an unfortunate tragic twist of events they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 23-20.

State Farm Stadium

State Farm Stadium is home to the Arizona Cardinals Football Club (NFL), the annual Fiesta Bowl, international soccer matches, motorsports, as well numerous other sporting, trade and consumer events and activities. The stadium was designed by renowned New York architect Peter Eisenman at an estimated cost of about $455 million. Completed in August 2006, it has both a retractable playing field and a retractable roof, the first of its kind in North America, to accommodate capacities of 63,000 people, with the flexibility to be expanded for “mega-events” to fit as many as 73,000.

At Optima we strive to enhance the quality of community and experiences through exceptional design, and the State Farm Stadium serves as a breathtaking reminder of the sophisticated engineering, technology, and design we implement into our own process.

When and Where to Watch Super LVII

Super Bowl 57 will take place in Glendale, AZ, Feb. 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Even if you’re not in-person to cheer on your favorite team. You can enjoy the game from home with your family. A few streaming services to check out include; Fox Sports website, the Fox Sports app, and the NFL app. You can also stream Super Bowl LVII live on Hulu, fuboTV, Roku TV and Sling TV.

Optima + Sustainability Series: EV Parking

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Hunter

The evidence that electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining traction is on the roads everywhere. From personal vehicles to rideshares and public transport, we are, as a nation, beginning to embrace the importance of reducing carbon emissions by replacing the fossil fuels that traditional gasoline-powered engines use with forms of clean energy.

Encouraged by the funding made available to help states fund public charging infrastructure, and Illinois’ ambitious goal to get one million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by 2023, EVs are becoming increasingly desirable. And those who own and manage residential buildings are faced with the challenge to provide ample access to EV battery charging stations that residents need.

At Optima, we have always been sustainability-focused across our entire integrated business model — from design to building materials to landscaping – and EV parking. We began providing EV parking spaces in 2016 and 2017 at 7160 Optima Kierland and Optima Signature with 8 EV parking spaces, which represented only a small portion of the overall spaces in the garage.

Now in April 2023, Optima Verdana in Wilmette will open with 24% of the total spaces dedicated to EVs. In all of our communities — in both Illinois and Arizona — we have continued to increase EV capacity every year based upon resident demand, with the capacity to reach a full 100% at many projects. In recognition for our commitment to EV parking, Optima Sonoran Village won the Salt River Project Champions of Sustainability Award in the Building Communities for Electric Vehicles category.

In a recent Bisnow article that explores how future-facing multifamily developers are preparing for the future of electric vehicles, David Hovey Jr., AIA, Optima president and chief operating officer, observes, “Just from a sustainability perspective, obviously, demand is getting higher from both people wanting to be more sustainable … and cities wanting to be more sustainable, as well as just overall demand.”

Sustainability remains one of our most precious values at Optima. And we’re proud to be part of a growing community of property owners and managers that seeks to support sustainable practices on behalf of our residents.

Women In Architecture: Eva Hagberg

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Hunter

Many of the pioneering women in the field of architecture, including Ray Eames, Norma Merrick Sklarek, and Mary Jane Long, earned their reputations on projects they designed, just like their male counterparts. But what if someone was able to have a significant impact on critical thinking within the field without actually designing anything? This is how we came to know Eva Hagberg, a person whose journey into and through architecture has been as interesting as it is purposely unconventional.

Writer, architectural historian, adjunct professor, once secret publicist, activist, and self proclaimed, “worst architectural student the school of architecture has ever seen.” Eva Hagberg is a woman in architecture who prides herself on her ideas and process rather than the execution of building a model for people to see.

Eva’s Backstory

From the age of 11, Hagberg was passionate about design and architecture; and while she earned a BA in the field from Princeton University, she never intended to practice. Rather, she began her professional life writing about architecture, choosing to engage in the field from a vastly different angle — interrogating the relationships between narrative and form.

From her early career as a writer in New York City, Hagberg became a secret publicist for architects and designers who were seeking help in articulating the stories behind their projects. As she functioned as a kind of ghost writer, she took advantage of the freedom to be unknown and unseen — “practically ungoogleable” as Hagberg describes herself. Because she opted to express herself by helping others find their voices, she was able to do the work that interested her the most without being pigeonholed, or specialized — architectural historian, adjunct professor, 77 year-old architect reminiscing about a project done in the 80s — or author of When Eero Met His Match.

Published Books

What is today a trite proverb — that behind every great man, is a great woman — Eva Hagberg’s When Eero Met His Match is as biographical as it is a poignant love story between critic and publicist Aline Louchheim and architect Eero Saarinen. Aline aided Eero in shaping his identity and prominence as a designer and architect. Throughout the book, Hagberg expresses just how important it is to embrace language and narrative as an integral part of the practice of architecture.

She has also published two architectural books through Monacelli Press, Dark Nostalgia and Nature Framed. Dark Nostalgia seeks to combine psychology, style, architecture, and art to express the reasoning behind our desire to live within lushly nostalgic interiors incorporating wood, velvet, fur, brick, and iron.

Nature Framed, on the other hand, explores an Optima favorite, the concept of biophilic design. Hagberg views 25 residential projects (framed with nature in mind) from around the United States that take the concept of “green living” to the next architectural level by asking, how close to nature can we be while remaining indoors?

As Hagberg herself explains, being the “worst architectural student the school of architecture has ever seen,” had its own set of merits. And because of her willingness to rethink, reframe and recontextualize stories about the built environment, Hagberg has carved her own path through sheer perseverance and a deep attunement to the soul of architecture and those who practice it.

Beyond her BA in architecture from Princeton University, Hagsberg went on to earn an MS in architecture from UC Berkeley. As well as a PhD in Visual and Narrative Culture from UC Berkeley. Today, as a member of the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation faculty, her academic work focuses on the theoretical and historical approaches to publicity as a mode of architectural production, and lays out how the modern media system works.

2023 Design Trends: Designing The World of Tomorrow

Posted on January 25, 2023January 26, 2023 by Hunter

The ways in which we live, move, and work are changing fast, and we, at Optima®, believe that up-and-coming architectural trends continue to address many of the challenges faced in modern life. Some solutions focus on more space, more storage, less clutter, and more flexibility. Others address affordable rent, resistance to climate change, and sustainability. These trends, along with a myriad of others, inspire us and those who are at the forefront of designing the world of tomorrow. Here are some of the trends on the horizon in 2023.

Biophilic Urbanism

“Biophilia,” a term coined by Erich Fromm in 1964, is the human interaction and appreciation for nature. In 2023, this trend is continually on the rise as we seek to develop buildings that are ecologically friendly in their use of resources. Biophilic design can revolutionize the way we manage stress, increase productivity within offices and educational spaces, and improve mental health, through the use of nature inside and outside of buildings.

While biophilic design is very much at the forefront of architectural trends, it has been central to our work at Optima for decades. Our passionate connection between the built environment and nature continues to be as fluid as it is concrete, reflected in our signature innovation of vertical landscaping. The widespread adoption of this essential design principle, we are excited to welcome others into the process of bringing people and nature closer together.

Optima Sonoran Village®, Vertical Landscaping

Modular Construction

Modular construction has been at the forefront of Optima’s DCHGLOBAL Building System since its conception in 2009 . We began our experimentation with modular construction with Relic Rock, reflecting our commitment to building homes flexibly — in horizontal and vertical directions — sustainably and efficiently anywhere, anytime.

As part of the broader architectural community seeking modular solutions around the globe, we’re excited by the opportunity to celebrate sustainability and versatility as core values at Optima, while ensuring enduring aesthetics and affordability.

Smart Materials

Through the integration of smart devices in our homes, cars, phones, and wrists comes Smart Materials. Recent developments provide that these materials could eventually respond to changes in pressure, temperature, moisture, and UV radiation, giving architects unfathomable flexibility. Along with an expanded toolkit for designing and building.

Our respect for materiality and space is important for the 360-degree approach to sustainability, and the inclusion of these new and unexplored materials gets us excited about their potential for the environment at large. Part of our role at Optima has been ensuring the environment remains protected with the inclusion of smart materials such as bird glass or green concrete within many of our buildings.

Community-Centered Design

It is a universal truth that the built environment functions better if those who use it are involved in the process of creation. Designing buildings with community in mind makes for rich and diverse environments where people can be themselves, while also giving them a sense of ownership in the places where they live, play, and work. As we enter 2023, we are seeing greater collaboration between architects, developers and their communities across the globe — much the way Optima has partnered with the cities, villages and neighborhoods where we have put down roots for more than 40 years.

Growing Your Own Herbs at Optima Verdana®

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Hunter

The stellar Rooftop Sky Deck and communal courtyard at Optima Verdana® abound with gorgeous greenspace and reflective hardscape surfaces to reduce heat. Our residents can delight in the outdoors year-round for both recreation and relaxation. And for those with green thumbs, dedicated planters atop the Sky Deck will be home to a seasonal herb garden.

Check your kitchen cabinets, your cupboards, your drawers! If you spend any time cooking, you probably have dried thyme, basil, and even a bit of parsley or oregano. These earthly delights known as herbs are easily accessible from most grocery stores, but imagine what it would be like if you grew them yourself?

In spite of their simplicity, herb gardens are magical places and offer many gifts — from cooking, to medicine, to unique fragrances. Growing your own herbs also serves as an exercise in gratification, and so much more:

Great for All Skill Levels

First, herb gardens are great for beginner gardeners because they require minimal effort and are easier to grow than vegetables. They don’t require large plots of land, and grow well in pots, planters and other containers. Herbs don’t need much fertilizing, which is a huge plus for beginners, and they can handle a wide range of temperatures that’s ideal for Chicago’s seasons.

Redefining the Word “Fresh”

When your recipes call for fresh herbs, what could be more delightful — and satisfying — than heading to your herb garden with a pair of kitchen shears and picking or cutting what you need? And because you can harvest your herbs while you’re cooking, they will always be fresh and fragrant.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Knowing that you have easy access to what you’re growing, you may find yourself with an appetite for expanding your repertoire with dishes that specifically call for fresh herbs. This is a real treat, since the flavors are so much more robust and the option to have full leaves, stems and flowers in your preparations is a real bonus.

The herb garden also offers the opportunity to experiment with new flavor combinations. Take advantage of your herbs and try out a new recipe or two. Try growing herbs that are uncharted territory for you, this will likely lead to taking new risks in your cooking. Which in turn will enrich your life with new and flavorful experiences.

As you head into the fall and winter months, you can harvest your herbs and dry them indoors. This will tide you over until spring arrives and it’s time to plant again.

Creating A Healthy, Budding Community

The herb garden at Optima Verdana® is part of the powerful community experience of connecting with others around a shared purpose. All it takes is one seed to sow a relationship and build a budding new friendship with a neighbor. This convenience of access offers residents physical exercise, fresh air and the meditative qualities of connecting to the earth.

If you’re looking for ideas for dishes that will put your fresh herbs in the spotlight at your next dinner or event, The Food Network offers quite a few!

Exploring Scottsdale: Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction

Posted on January 11, 2023January 11, 2023 by Hunter

If you are a car enthusiast or a lover of all things automobile, you might want to buckle up for this one!

Throughout its rich 45-year history, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company has become world-renowned for offering the finest, most prestigious selection of collector cars at auction, outstanding professional service, and capturing sales success second to none. Barrett-Jackson began as a modest company, started by Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett, two car aficionados in Scottsdale, AZ who met through a car advertisement in the mid-1960’s.

Tom Barrett wanted to sell his 1933 Cadillac V16 Town Car and the most interested buyer happened to be Russ Jackson. That deal was never struck between the two but instead, a lifelong friendship and partnership was formed.

In 1967, Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett hosted their first car auction, which was called “Fiesta de los Elegantes.” Fiesta de los Elegantes was held as a fundraiser to donate to local charities, which included the community arts and the Scottsdale Public Libraries.

In 1971, Russ and Tom presented the company’s first car collector auction, which featured classic autos from the two men’s private collections. The star of the auction was a Mercedes 770 Phaeton that sold for $153,000 — and this grabbed the attention of auto collectors from around the world. From there, the sale of this rare vehicle set the Barrett-Jackson name into motion around the world.

Speeding towards today, Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. Its iconic events, branded as The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, take place in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Houston, and Las Vegas, where hundreds of the most sought-after, unique and valuable automobiles parade in front of a global audience. Take a look at a few of the most awesome cars shown and auctioned off at the 2022 Barrett-Jackson Car Auction:

1958 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Topless Roadster

1960 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible

Be a part of the world’s greatest classic car auction in 2023, just a stone’s throw from Optima Kierland, Optima Sonoran Village and Optima Paradise Valley. And even if you might not be holding a paddle to bid on one of these sweet gems, take the chance to explore the city of Scottsdale, the auction venue – the Westworld of Scottsdale, and immerse yourself in car memorabilia all week long.

Tickets for Barrett-Jackson The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction, taking place from Saturday, January 21, through Sunday, January 29, at WestWorld.

Trending Now: Play the 5,000-Year-Old Royal Game of Ur

Posted on January 9, 2023January 9, 2023 by Hunter

History

The Royal Game of Ur received its name from a British archaeologist named Sir Leonard Woolley in 1928. He was part of a team that excavated five worn boards at the Royal Cemetery of the Sumerian City of Ur. These ornate boards, made of wood, lapis lazuli, and inlaid shell are expected to have been made between 2600-2400 B.C. Making the Royal Game of Ur the oldest tabletop game.

Also known as the Game of 20 Squares, it appears to have been immensely popular with people of all classes according to archaeological evidence. With the game being so widely played, it spread across many Middle Eastern countries we know today. Iran, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon are a few to name. Archaeologists have also discovered that when no board was available, players scratched it into clay or rock.

Even though the Royal Game of Ur was very popular in ancient Mesopotamia for 1,000 years, its popularity and instructions waned as more games were introduced.

Consequently, figuring out the rules of the Royal Game of Ur was no easy task. It took Irving Finkel, a curator and Assyriologist at the British Museum to uncover the instructions of this ancient game. Dr. Finkel received a crumbling clay tablet from an antiquities dealer in the 1980s. It was inscribed with what appeared to be the rules of a game.

His research led him to Itti-Marduk-balatu, the author of the 177-176 B.C. tablet. Later, Finkel was able to decipher the rules by comparing them with other games.

This led to an understanding that the Royal Game of Ur is a race between two players. With the single goal of getting all 7 pieces across the board before your opponent.

So How Does One Play The Royal Game of Ur?

Playing a Game of Ur — The Royal Game of Ur with player pieces

Fast forward to today. The Royal Game of Ur is back in the mix, and attracting fellow gamers near and far! Here are the rules:

Throw the dice to decide who plays first – highest score goes first, if it’s a draw, throw again.
Players take turns to throw three binary lots and move one of their pieces.
Only one piece may be moved per throw of the dice and pieces must always move forward around the track.
If a counter lands upon a square occupied by an opposing counter, the counter landed upon start’s from the beginning.

Finally, if you weren’t planning on time traveling several thousand years ago to discover an ancient Ur board. Get your very own modern Ur board in this New York Times article!

Check out the not so distant relative of The Royal Game of Ur, Backgammon.

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Tag: community