Mackay Homes: Mid-Century Modern Developments in the Bay Area Historical Overview of John Mackay and Mackay Homes

Historical Overview of John Mackay and Mackay Homes

John Calder Mackay (1920–2014) was a post-war real estate developer who co-founded Mackay Homes in 1950 ​en.wikipedia.org. Along with his business partner Lawton Shurtleff, Mackay set out to build modern tract homes that embodied “California Modern” design principles​ eichlernetwork.com. Mackay’s foray into real estate began with constructing Menlo Park’s first commercial building in 1948​eichlerhomesforsale.com. From there, Mackay Homes grew into a prolific builder of mid-century residences – reportedly developing over 15,000 homes across the U.S., with a focus on California​ eichlerhomesforsale.com.

Mackay became one of the Bay Area’s leading mid-century developers, often considered a friendly rival to Joseph Eichler. Like Eichler, John Mackay was inspired by modernist architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe​eichlerhomesforsale.com. He envisioned sleek, modern homes that redefined suburban living with open layouts and indoor-outdoor harmony. Beyond building houses, Mackay was also active in community institutions – for example, he was a co-founder of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and served on the board of the Children’s Health Council​ en.wikipedia.org​ eichlerhomesforsale.com. This blend of architectural vision and community focus defined Mackay’s legacy. By the mid-1950s, Mackay Homes was a significant force in Silicon Valley’s housing boom, creating distinct neighborhoods that stand as lasting symbols of mid-century modernism.

Mackay Neighborhoods and Developments in the Bay Area

During the 1950s and 1960s, Mackay Homes built several modern tract developments in the San Francisco Bay Area. These neighborhoods, primarily in Silicon Valley, the South Bay, and the Peninsula, showcased Mackay’s mid-century modern designs. Below is a summary of known Mackay tracts by city and neighborhood:

Santa Clara contains three Mackay tracts (Maywood, Fairmede, and Sunshine Meadows) that together form a core of mid-century modern homes in the South Bay. Palo Alto’s Mackay neighborhoods (Sunshine Glen and Ross Park) were built in the mid-1950s near Eichler developments, demonstrating how Mackay’s vision spread into the Peninsula. In Mountain View, Mackay co-developed the Monta Loma area alongside Eichler and Mardell Homes, making it a unique case of three modernist builders in one neighborhood​ montaloma.org. Monta Loma’s Mackay section (originally called “Oakwood”) is notable for its well-preserved homes and as the childhood home of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs​ en.wikipedia.org. Even beyond the immediate Silicon Valley, Mackay’s influence reached places like Walnut Creek’s Woodlands tract, illustrating the broader Bay Area impact of his developments.

Architectural Characteristics and Home Styles of Mackay Homes

Mackay Homes are recognized as excellent examples of Mid-Century Modern tract architecture, often described as part of the “California Modern” movement en.wikipedia.org. These houses share many hallmarks with their Eichler counterparts: post-and-beam construction, open floor plans, extensive use of glass, and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces​ en.wikipedia.org. Common design elements include floor-to-ceiling windows or sliding glass doors opening to private courtyards or backyards, exposed ceiling beams, and minimalist facades. Many Mackay models were single-story 3-bedroom, 2-bath layouts in the range of roughly 1,100–1,300 square feet, though a few larger 4-bedroom designs were offered​ montaloma.org​. The homes often present a simple, unadorned face to the street (sometimes a blank wall or minimal windows for privacy) while opening up with walls of glass toward the rear yard​eichlerhomesforsale.com. This orientation creates a sheltered, private outdoor living area – a key aspect of California mid-century living.

A Mackay mid-century modern home in Santa Clara. Note the low-pitched roof with open eaves, attached two-car garage, and clerestory windows above the front entry. This simple, horizontal façade is characteristic of Mackay’s “California Modern” style. The design balances street privacy (solid front wall with high windows) and interior brightness, as abundant glass is directed toward the home’s private yard. Such homes were built on raised foundations (with crawl spaces), distinguishing them from Eichler’s slab-on-grade houses​ en.wikipedia.org.

On the inside, Mackay homes feature open-plan living areas with vaulted ceilings that enhance the sense of space​eichlerhomesforsale.com. The post-and-beam structure allows for large spans of glass and a lack of interior load-bearing walls, so living rooms flow into dining and kitchen areas. Original interior finishes in Mackay homes often included Philippine mahogany wall paneling and Celotex (fiberboard) tile ceilings, which were typically painted white ​montaloma.org. This contrasts with Eichler homes, which left natural wood tongue-and-groove ceilings exposed. Floors in Mackay homes were usually hardwood or vinyl over the raised foundation; some models even came with hardwood flooring from the start​ montaloma.org. Fireplaces (frequently a brick or stone fireplace in the living area) and open-air atriums/courtyards (in some designs) added to the mid-century ambiance.

Indoor-outdoor living in a Mackay home. This remodeled Mackay house in Palo Alto opens the living room to a spacious redwood deck via sliding glass doors. The post-and-beam construction and clerestory windows allow for plentiful natural light. Such features – exposed beams, clerestories, and broad sliding doors – exemplify the mid-century modern ethos of bringing the outside in​ en.wikipedia.org. Even in modern renovations, these homes retain their original open concept and connection to nature, while updates (like dual-pane glass and insulated roofs) improve comfort.

Structurally, one practical difference in Mackay’s construction was the use of raised perimeter foundations and forced-air heating systems, as opposed to Eichler’s slab foundation and in-floor radiant heating​ en.wikipedia.org. In practice, this means Mackay homes have a crawl space beneath the floor, allowing easier access to plumbing and the addition of ductwork for heating or air conditioning. (By contrast, Eichler’s radiant-heated slab can be harder to retrofit but provides silent heating.) Mackay’s forced-air systems were conventional for the time, and many homes also had wall furnaces originally​ montaloma.org. The raised foundation also results in a small step up at the entry, whereas Eichler floors are level with the ground.

In terms of exterior style, Mackay homes are often described as “Eichler lookalikes” – and for good reason: the firm Anshen & Allen (the architects behind many early Eichler designs) also designed Mackay’s modern homes​ en.wikipedia.org. As a result, Mackays share Eichler’s clean lines, vertical wood siding or stucco exteriors, and low-sloped gable or flat roofs with wide eaves. Many models include narrow clerestory windows just below the roofline to bring light into rooms while maintaining privacy, a signature mid-century motif. The focus on “indoor/outdoor” design is evident: living spaces typically open onto patios or gardens, blurring the line between house and landscape. Indeed, Mackay Homes received professional acclaim for these innovations – for instance, the Sunshine Meadows and Sunshine Glen tracts each earned an AIA National Merit Award in 1954 for their forward-thinking layouts​ en.wikipedia.org.

Notable Collaborators and Design Influences

A major factor in the success of Mackay’s developments was his collaboration with talented modernist architects and designers. Foremost among these were Robert Anshen and Steve Allen of Anshen & Allen, the same architects who worked with Joseph Eichler in the early 1950s​ en.wikipedia.org. Anshen & Allen’s influence gave Mackay homes a true architectural pedigree – they weren’t just builder tract houses, but carefully designed modern dwellings. This partnership produced homes with authentic mid-century modern character: post-and-beam frameworks, open-air atriums or courtyards, and integration of home and landscape. Mackay’s use of Anshen & Allen designs helped set his homes apart from more mundane ranch houses of the era.

John Mackay’s business partner, Lawton Shurtleff, also played a key role in the company’s developments. Shurtleff was an equal partner in Mackay Homes, even though he was only part-time involved (he ran another business as well)​eichlernetwork.com. Together, Mackay and Shurtleff oversaw the planning of entire neighborhoods. Photographs from the era often show the two men reviewing plans on-site, underscoring Shurtleff’s involvement in the growth of the firm​eichlerhomesforsale.com. On the construction side, Mackay Homes employed quality builders and craftsmen of the day to implement the architects’ visions, using many of the same subcontractors that worked on Eichler homes.

Beyond specific individuals, Mackay drew inspiration from the broader Modernist movement. His projects reflect the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian principles (e.g. horizontal lines, integration with nature) and the International Style emphasis on functional forms (as championed by architects like Mies van der Rohe)​eichlerhomesforsale.com. These influences trickled down through Anshen & Allen’s designs. In practice, Mackay’s houses embodied a California adaptation of these ideas – sometimes termed “California Modern” – which emphasized casual indoor-outdoor living, openness, and simplicity. Mackay was certainly aware of Joseph Eichler’s approach of hiring renowned architects and likely emulated that strategy. In the competitive mid-century housing market, this collaboration with top architects was a distinguishing feature of Mackay Homes.

Another notable collaborator (indirectly) was Joseph Eichler himself – or rather, Eichler’s example. Eichler’s pioneering tract developments set the template that Mackay and others followed​ eichlerhomesforsale.com. Mackay’s early work can be seen as building on the trail Eichler blazed: proving that modern architecture could be successful in mass-market housing. As Eichler expanded to new architects in the mid-1950s (like Jones & Emmons), Anshen & Allen were more available to work with Mackay, which benefited his projects. The symbiosis of ideas in that era means Mackay Homes and Eichler Homes share a creative lineage through their architects.

Mackay Homes vs. Other Mid-Century Developers (Eichler, Stern & Price, etc.)

While Mackay Homes were similar in spirit to other mid-century modern houses, there are several distinguishing features compared to developers like Joseph Eichler or firms such as Stern & Price:

• Architectural Design & Materials: Mackay homes were architect-designed (by Anshen & Allen), giving them a high-design modernist look much like Eichler’s. Developers like Stern & Price, Coastwise, or Brown & Kaufman also produced Eichler-inspired tract homes, typically one-story, flat-roofed ranch-style houses in the 1950s​almanacnews.com. However, those tended to be more conventional in design and often lacked the architectural refinements of Eichler’s or Mackay’s houses. For example, Eichler insisted on premium materials like redwood for siding and ceilings, which others found too costly​ almanacnews.com. Mackay’s homes, while modern, sometimes economized with painted fiberboard ceilings and other cost-saving measures instead of open redwood planks​ montaloma.org​ almanacnews.com. This made Mackays slightly less expensive to build, but also a bit less luxurious in finish than Eichlers.
• Construction Details: As noted, foundation and heating differed: Mackay used raised foundations and forced-air heat, whereas Eichler built on concrete slabs with radiant floor heating​ en.wikipedia.org. This had implications for living experience and longevity. Eichler’s radiant heat is silent and elegant (many enthusiasts love the even warmth), but the pipes can leak over decades. Mackay’s forced-air furnaces were noisier and blew hot air, but homeowners could easily upgrade them or add air conditioning later ​spsmechanical.com. The raised foundation also meant Mackay homes could have hardwood floors and crawl-space access, whereas Eichlers were initially slab concrete floors (often with tile or carpet). These differences reflect two solutions to the same goal of comfortable modern living.
• Layouts and Features: Eichler homes are famous for features like central atriums (in later models) and an almost total openness of the rear elevation with glass. Mackay homes also emphasize indoor-outdoor flow, but generally did not include true central courtyards in the way Eichler’s later designs did. Instead, Mackays might have an enclosed front patio or a private side yard courtyard in some models. Both Eichler and Mackay designs often turn a blank face or minimal windows to the street, placing focus on the interior and back yard​ eichlerhomesforsale.com. Stern & Price and other contemporary builders similarly produced minimalist fronts with carports or garages and simple glass entryways, but their homes sometimes had more traditional elements (like slightly higher-pitched roofs or standard windows). Overall, Mackay’s designs were closer to Eichler’s level of modernist purity than many other builders of the time.
• Community Planning: Joseph Eichler is credited with a strong social vision – building entire communities with parks and community centers in some tracts, and selling to buyers of any race in an era of housing discrimination. Mackay, too, was a community-minded developer, though he is less heralded in this regard. There is no evidence of Mackay implementing community facilities like Eichler’s community centers, but he did foster a neighborhood feel in his tracts. Stern & Price and others were more traditional speculative builders, often not as concerned with post-sale community building. Mackay’s neighborhoods like Maywood and Monta Loma have evolved tight-knit communities that today celebrate their mid-century heritage, much like Eichler neighborhoods do​ eichlerhomesforsale.com.

In summary, Mackay Homes were often compared to Eichler Homes – indeed, they “shared some of the aesthetic” and were seen as Eichler rivals in the mid-1950s​almanacnews.com. Mackay’s houses offered a very similar living experience: modern architecture for the average family. The differences (like foundations, heating, and a few finish materials) were subtle to buyers, but have become notable to historians and enthusiasts. Compared to more conventional builders like Stern & Price, Mackay’s work was more architect-driven and innovative, garnering professional awards that typical ranch tracts did not. A homeowner in a Mackay home enjoys much the same light-filled, indoor/outdoor lifestyle as an Eichler owner – which is a testament to how well Mackay captured the mid-century modern ideal in his own way.

Current Market Status and Trends for Mackay Homes

Today, Mackay homes are highly sought-after in the Bay Area real estate market, riding the wave of popularity for mid-century modern design. Enthusiasts and homebuyers who love Eichler homes have discovered that Mackay-built houses offer a comparable style and vibe​ rennie.com. As a result, Mackay homes in Silicon Valley communities like Santa Clara, Mountain View, and Palo Alto command strong prices and see healthy demand. Many listings explicitly market these properties by highlighting their mid-century modern pedigree and Eichler-like features – for example, a Santa Clara Mackay home was advertised as a “mid-century modern… If you appreciate Eichler style homes… you will truly love this home”​ rennie.com. This indicates a robust appreciation in the market for the design elements of Mackay Homes.

Pricing: Mackay homes generally fall in the same price bracket as comparable Eichler homes in each area. In Santa Clara (as of mid-2020s), a typical 3-bed/2-bath Mackay in original or mildly updated condition often sells in the range of $1.5 to $2 million, depending on lot size and school district. For instance, an original-condition 1,260 sq ft Mackay home sold for about $1.73M in 2021​ rennie.com​, and a nicely remodeled 1,166 sq ft home in the Sunshine Meadows tract sold for $1.6M in 2023​rennie.com. In more affluent enclaves or larger lots, prices can be even higher – a expanded Mackay in Redwood City (on the Atherton border) recently sold near $2.8 million after a comprehensive modernization​ rennie.com​. These figures reflect both the underlying land value in the Bay Area and the premium that mid-century design now commands. Even in Walnut Creek’s Woodlands, Mackay homes attract buyers looking for mid-century style in the East Bay market.

Demand and Buyer Profile: The buyer pool for Mackay homes often overlaps with that of Eichlers – tech professionals, design aficionados, and families drawn to the retro-modern style. Many buyers value the iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture, the sense of openness, and the neighborhood character of these tracts. Mackay neighborhoods have active community networks (for example, Monta Loma in Mountain View has a neighborhood association that highlights its mid-century history​ montaloma.org). Over the last decade, mid-century homes have experienced a renaissance in popularity, and Mackay’s developments are no exception. Local realtors note that well-preserved or tastefully updated Mackay homes tend to receive multiple offers and can sell above listing price due to their uniqueness in a market flooded with generic remodels.

Renovation and Preservation Trends: Given that these homes are now around 65–70 years old, many have undergone renovations. A common trend is to modernize the kitchens and bathrooms while preserving the mid-century aesthetic elsewhere. For example, original mahogany walls might be kept for character, while appliances and countertops are updated for contemporary living​ eichlerhomesforsale.com​eichlerhomesforsale.com. Upgrades like installing dual-pane windows, adding insulation and foam roofing (to replace old tar-and-gravel roofs), and updating electrical panels are popular, as they improve efficiency without altering the home’s character​eichlerhomesforsale.com. Some owners also add air conditioning (made easier by the forced-air system). There is a thriving community of contractors experienced in mid-century modern remodels, and they often work on Mackay houses just as they do on Eichlers.

At the same time, there’s an ongoing preservation debate surrounding Mackay homes. Because these houses are not as instantly recognizable by name as “Eichlers,” historically they did not receive as much attention from preservationists. However, that is changing. In Santa Clara, for instance, homeowners in the Mackay tracts have lobbied for historic preservation ordinances to protect their neighborhoods from unsympathetic remodels or teardowns​ svvoice.com. Some Mackay tracts, like Maywood in Santa Clara, remain relatively intact, and locals hope to keep it that way. Nevertheless, a number of Mackay homes have been significantly modified – second-story additions have appeared on some, and others have been expanded in footprint. The challenge is balancing modernization with maintaining mid-century charm​eichlerhomesforsale.com​. Community groups and even city councils have deliberated on how to prevent “monster” homes that dwarf the original low-slung Mackays ​eichlernetwork.com. Enthusiasts argue that the architectural heritage of these mid-century modern enclaves is worth preserving for future generations​eichlerhomesforsale.com​.

Overall, the market outlook for Mackay homes is very positive. They are part of the Bay Area’s rich mid-century modern legacy, and as awareness grows, they’ve been “winning new fans today” just like Eichler homes​ eichlernetwork.com. Homeowners often express pride in owning a Mackay for its design pedigree. Many real estate listings now prominently feature the Mackay name and mid-century style as selling points. As long as the mid-century modern revival continues, Mackay Homes will likely enjoy strong demand. The combination of Silicon Valley location and classic design means these homes are not just livable pieces of history, but also sound investments. And with ongoing efforts to sensitively renovate them, Mackay homes are poised to remain desirable, functional, and iconic residences in the Bay Area for years to come​ eichlerhomesforsale.com​.