The Eichler Celebration

SAVE THE DATE: The Boyenga Team is sponsoring a celebration of Eichler homes hosted by the Preservation Act Council of San Jose on Saturday, August 17. In a rare public tour of San Jose’s collection of Eichlers along the tree-shaded Fairwood Ave, the event will offer a walking tour of the 218 Eichlers making up the neighborhood.

Before 1947, Joseph Eichler had never picked up a hammer or saw. He had barely any knowledge on what it took to build a house, had no experience with construction. What he did have was a vision considered unorthodox in post-war America. Taking influence from the bold sunlight of the west coast, the rolling hills of open space, and the practical-yet-dynamic culture of the Bay Area, Eichler envisioned the future of Californian architecture. Decades later, the thousands of Eichler homes around the Bay remain architectural icons. 

A go-getter at heart, Joseph Eichler turned his pursuit of a particular aesthetic into a career pioneering mid-century Californian homebuilding. He drew inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs, with their soaring windows and sweeping slanted roofs. Eichler homes are single-story structures marked by their atrium-like design, with walls of glass and topped with characteristically angled gabled ceilings. Well-placed accents of stone, wood, and skylights turn the homes into structural art pieces intended to “bring the outside in”.Huge windows flood the open floor plan homes with natural light. By mixing industrial and organic styles, Eichler homes evoke both a sense of futuristic pragmatism and an intimate connection with the natural landscape.

A keystone in Eichler’s mission was to never compromise building quality. He refused to settle for low-quality materials in order to turn a higher profit. That’s why, decades later, the homes he built stand in perfect condition, retaining their structural and architectural integrity. Today, thousands of Eichler homes sprawl across the Bay Area and Los Angeles in nine communities, the biggest of which is the San Mateo Highlands. Eichler was at the forefront of contemporary design — his iconic style is now commonly known as “California Modern”.

The tour will feature three open homes and a special garage as well as a mid-century pop-up boutique shop, which will feature several different vendors from 10am – 2pm. This tour of the neighborhood, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will showcase the region’s — and Joseph Eichler’s — history. 

Tickets for the tour are limited and expected to sell out, so snag yours soon! Tickets are priced at $20 for the general public and can be purchased at www.preservation.org. All proceeds will benefit PAC*SJ preservation education programs.

Whether you are looking to buy or sell your Eichler home, the Boyenga Team shares in this architectural appreciation and would love to help.

Contact us at (408) 373-1660  —  homes@boyenga.com