Every one of the 18 contributing buildings here rises in the same red brick, the historic core of the University of Arizona in Tucson. The district, created on June 13, 1986, is roughly bounded by East Second Street, North Cherry Avenue, E. Fourth Street, and Park Avenue. As you look, notice that the district is made up of 18 contributing buildings — two, Old Main and the University Library, had already been listed on the National Register before the district was created.
The buildings display various early 20th century revivalist styles, yet they read as a single campus because all 18 are constructed of the same red brick, a material that would remain constant for new UA buildings for decades. Besides buildings, there are several contributing elements that are not buildings at all. Over time many buildings were modified to add fire escapes and to improve accessibility — changes the original National Register nomination described as “intrusive.
Five properties in the district were constructed after 1938 and are non‑contributing. Notice the red-brick facades and the streets — East Second, North Cherry, East Fourth, and Park Avenue — framing this campus district.