Eichler 101

Eichler homes are one of those things that you either love or hate. They tend to look somewhat similar from the outside, and can be difficult to add on to or to remodel, and there are elements of the 1950s, such as wood paneling, exposed wood ceilings, which many people are not fond of. But mid-century architecture like Eichler homes are classic and may become an endangered species. I tend to be partial to them because my grandfather was a carpenter and worked on many an Eichler in his time.

The Eichler style is a clean, modern 1950s version of the tract home. They are always one-story with elements of wood and glass, such as exposed beams, full-sized windows, and clerestory windows on the interior walls of the home. The brainchild of Joseph Eichler, approximately 11,000 of these homes were built, with the most well-known local pocket of Eichler homes residing in Palo Alto. (A great article about Joseph Eichler can be found at Pure Contemporary magazine.)

Two prime examples can be found on the market right now. On the market for $899,000 is 4195 Park Avenue, a three bedroom, two bath home on 1,620 square feet. The pictures of this home below depict a typical street view, as well as the wall of windows featured in many of these homes.

The second property, on the market for $965,000, is 699 Ashton Avenue in Palo Alto. A three bedroom, one bath property, it is significantly smaller with a footprint of 965 feet. The photo of the dining room below shows not only the wall of windows, but the exposed beam ceilings and the clerestory windows (on the left).

You can find out more about this style of home at the Eichler Network, and if you are really enthusiastic, there is actually a realtor who covers SF and Marin that specializes in Eichlers. More about Renee Adelmann can be found here.