Architecture Wednesday: East Bay Eichler

Eichler homes epitomize that Mid-Century Modern style; as an offshoot of Frank Lloyd Wright designs, Eichler homes have clean lines. Natural materials but differ from FLW in that they also have minimal ornamentation.

Inspired by his time living in a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Joseph Eichler, a real estate developer working in California in the 1950s and ’60s,  was one of the primary builders responsible for bringing modern homes to the masses, building over 11,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Eichler wanted to take Wright’s design ideas and make them accessible to middle-class home buyers.

A true Eichler will feature small windows facing the street and huge windows facing an outdoor space in the back; post and beam construction; center courtyard or roofed atrium; an abbreviated entry court; carport; and “front-to-back” planning that puts the living spaces in the rear of the home.

And that’s where we find this Eichler in Castro Valley’s Greenridge neighborhood and for sale for just $2,650,000. The homes, originally, was small, but in 1974 the owners added an enormous primary suite, bathroom and closet—which features my one, huge quibble … a toilet literally inside the primary suite closet—taking the house up to 3,300 square feet with four bedroom and three baths.

The current owners have taken the home to the next level by respectfully updating everyone’s favorite features including a full kitchen remodel with a massive ceramic tile island, ample cabinet and storage, and a rare gas range for an Eichler home; in addition, they also remodeled the two original bathrooms with high end fixtures.

Other features include period specific cork flooring throughout, original globe lights and mahogany paneling, beautiful unpainted ceilings, an open-air atrium entrance, and an open concept floor plan in the great room for today’s living. Upgrades and other details include an insulated foam roof, updated electrical system, EV charger, newer high efficiency boilers for the radiant heating, a two-car attached garage, remote control solar shade window treatments throughout, and a CAT-5e wireless system for efficiently working at home, or running a business. 

And all of this sits on a 15,000 square foot lot, with room for a pool, incredibly private and perfect for entertaining. This one is still on the market y’all, so you might wanna check your bank accounts.

As always, click to emBIGGERate …

Dwell