The homes of Joseph Eichler evoke a polarizing response: love them or hate them. But since I started my real estate career in 2001, I have observed an increasing relevance and desirability of the Eichler principles. While the 1920s Spanish Colonial or 1930s suburban spilt-level may strike us with their romantic curb appeal, it is concepts of open floorplans, indoor/outdoor synergy, and clean lines ala mid-century moderns that top buyer’s wish lists at my open houses every Sunday. Compartmentalization and formality are on the wane. Open floorplan livability and garden interaction are coveted with zealousness.

The Eichler style is a clean, modern 1950s version of the tract home. They are primarily one-story abodes with elements of wood and glass, such as exposed beams, full walls of windows, and real wood paneling 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 South Palo Alto.

San Mateo boasts its own Eichler enclave, located in the Highlands neighborhood (adjacent to Hillsborough and bordered by pristine watershed lands to the west). The subdivision was designed by Eichler protégé A. Quincy Jones and built from 1955 to 1965. Jones was a professor of architecture at USC and worked with Joseph Eichler during the 1950s and 1960s. Eichler, in his formative years, famously leased a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Hillsborough, where his vision grew within the master’s walls. What makes the San Mateo Highlands subdivision so unique is that it contains not only the traditional single story homes, but both split level and two-story Eichler-inspired homes. One such home, dubbed the X-100, is built in all steel and was initially used to attract buyers to the neighborhood. The home’s uniqueness and recognition of its place in American architecture has led it to be nominated for designation to the National Register of Historic Places.

While the homes may have sold in the $20,000 range back when they were built, they have come a long way, particularly if they are unaltered in design. Current Eichlers on the market in the Highlands neighborhood of San Mateo are priced from $919,000 to $1,100,000. All three are good examples of the original craftsmanship and design, with some fresh twists and turns on the interpretation by the current owners.

If you are interested in seeing the San Mateo listings, I would look forward to scheduling a tour. Just give me a call at (650) 455-3735 or send me an email at geoffrey@geoffreynelson.com.

I happen to have available for lease one of the few Eichler homes ever designed in Hillsborough. 25 Via Delizia (pictured), tucked along the historic Villa Delizia cul-de-sac in Lower South Hillsborough will surprise and impress you with its open flow and connection to the outdoors. Built in 1957, this home has been customized by the current owners and boasts a garden courtyard entry, 3-car garage, and San Francisco Bay vistas.

To explore the phenomenon of the mid-century modern as practiced by Joseph Eichler, check out the Eichler Network, which will allow you to explore Eichlers around the country, find mid-mod décor to fill your home, participate in forums, and find companies and contractors to do work on these singular beauties.