Decoding Eichler House Numbers in Silicon Valley
Joseph Eichler’s mid-century modern homes are beloved for their design – and even an Eichler’s address can reveal a surprising amount about its history. In Silicon Valley, Eichler house numbers and street names are not random; they often indicate the original tract name, the era and architect of construction, and even the floor plan style. This guide explains how to “read” Eichler addresses in key Bay Area cities, helping mid-century enthusiasts and real estate professionals decode the design pedigree and historical significance behind an Eichler home’s location.
Understanding Eichler Tracts and Numbering Patterns
Eichler developments were built as planned tracts, each with a unique name and a cluster of streets (often with thematic names) created for the project. Within a given tract, Eichler homes were typically numbered in sequence along new streets or loops, meaning homes in the same tract often share address ranges or street name patterns. By identifying the tract from the address, one can deduce:
Build Year & Era: Eichler’s neighborhoods were built from the early 1950s through early 1970s in phases. An address can place a home in a particular time period – for example, a house on an early Eichler street (built ~1950) will differ from one on a 1960s Eichler cul-de-sac.
Architectural Designer: Eichler worked with different architects over time. Early tracts were designed by Anshen & Allen, mid-period homes by Jones & Emmons, and later models by Claude Oakland (among others). Thus, knowing the tract (and year) lets you infer whether the home’s blueprint was one of Anshen & Allen’s pioneering designs, a classic Jones & Emmons atrium model, or a later Oakland creation with new features.
Floor Plan Type: Eichler tracts usually offered a handful of floor plan variations. Smaller early tracts might have just 2–3 plans, while larger tracts included many layouts. For example, the 1950 Green Gables tract in Palo Alto featured only two floor plans (all 3-bedroom/1-bath, with either a carport or one-car garage) boyengateam.com, whereas San Jose’s expansive Fairglen Addition in 1959–61 built 13 distinct home plans on its lots parks.ca.gov. If you know a home’s tract, you can often narrow down which floor plan (atrium model, L-shaped courtyard, gallery model, etc.) it likely has.
In short, Eichler addresses function like codes: the street name and number pinpoint the tract, which reveals the home’s vintage, architect, and design characteristics. Below, we explore this across several cities, with examples of how to decipher Eichler house numbers in each.
Palo Alto: Early Eichlers and Upscale Developments
Palo Alto boasts more Eichler homes than any other city – over 2,700 were built here – and these span Eichler’s evolution from modest post-war houses to more expansive models. By looking at an Eichler’s address in Palo Alto, one can often tell which tract (and era) it belongs to:
North Palo Alto (Green Gables & adjacent tracts, 1950–51): An address on Channing Ave., Ivy Lane, Greer Road or Wildwood Lane in north Palo Alto indicates the home is part of Green Gables, Eichler’s first Palo Alto subdivision (63 homes built in 1950) boyengateam.com. These streets formed a small enclave (near Embarcadero and Greer) that won national attention as a “Subdivision of the Year” in 1950. A house number in this tract (e.g. a Greer Road home) signifies an early Eichler designed by Anshen & Allen, with the hallmark 3-bed/1-bath floor plan, open-beam ceilings, and either a carport or one-car garage boyengateam.com. Despite their modest size (~1,100 sq ft on average), the Green Gables addresses are historically significant – this neighborhood is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its role in mid-century modern development boyengateam.com. Nearby 1950–51 Eichler tracts like University Gardens and El Centro Gardens also lie in north Palo Alto; homes there (e.g. around Stanford Avenue or El Centro) are similarly early Eichlers by Anshen & Allen, identifiable by their 900–1000 block addresses and simple rectangular layouts.
South Palo Alto (Charleston/Meadow area, mid-1950s): In the mid-’50s Eichler shifted to south Palo Alto, and an address in neighborhoods like Charleston Meadows or Greenmeadow flags a more advanced Eichler design. For example, a home on Parkside Drive, Ferne Avenue, or Greenmeadow Way is in the famed Greenmeadow tract (built 1954–55), which was planned by Jones & Emmonsen.wikipedia.org. These addresses correspond to larger homes – Greenmeadow was Eichler’s first attempt at a more upscale market, featuring many 4-bedroom models and even a community center with a pool and park for residents. A Greenmeadow address tells you the home likely has an atrium or courtyard entry (a concept that emerged in the mid-’50s), and a spacious open-plan living area tailored for modern indoor-outdoor living. South Palo Alto Eichlers tend to sit on winding courts and cul-de-sacs (often with “Fairmeadow” or “Meadow” in the street names) instead of the straight streets of earlier tracts – another clue in the address that you’re dealing with a mid-50s Eichler.
Late Eichlers (1960s–70s in Palo Alto): A handful of Palo Alto addresses indicate later-era Eichlers which introduced new features. Los Arboles (1962) and its addition (early 1970s) in the south part of town are examples – if you see an address on a street like Louis Road near Amarillo Ave or Mackay Drive (Palo Alto’s “Los Arboles” area), that home likely dates from the 1960s. In fact, Eichler’s last Palo Alto tract, Los Arboles Addition No. 2 (circa 1971–72), even included a few original two-story Eichler homes designed by Claude Oakland. Those addresses (for instance, on Tulip Lane or Dahlia Court in the addition) are especially notable – a two-story Eichler is a rarity that immediately signals a late-period design. In general, any Palo Alto Eichler address from the 1960s will correspond to a Claude Oakland or Jones & Emmons design that is more grandiose than the 1950 models – often 4 bedrooms, some with the dramatic “double A-frame” roofline or an enclosed atrium. The street layout in these later tracts (loops and courts off arterial roads like Louis Rd) and the higher house numbers distinguish them from the early-’50s grid streets. Palo Alto’s Eichler addresses, therefore, range from simple early tract homes to expansive later models – knowing the street and tract reveals where on that spectrum a given house falls.
Sunnyvale: The Eichler Address Epicenter
Sunnyvale is often called the “home of the Eichlers,” with approximately 1,100 Eichler houses in at least 16 different tracts – more than any other Silicon Valley city. Indeed, Eichler’s very first development was built here. Because Sunnyvale’s Eichler neighborhoods were built sequentially through the late ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, an address in Sunnyvale can tell a rich story about the home’s lineage:
Sunnyvale Manor (1949–50): An address near N. Bayview Avenue and E. Maude Avenue in Sunnyvale marks Sunnyvale Manor, Eichler’s first subdivision (1949). These were among Eichler’s earliest prototypes – one-story houses with flat or shallow-pitched roofs and no radiant floor heating (they had conventional central heating). If you encounter a Sunnyvale Eichler address in the low 600s or 700s on a street in this area, you’re likely looking at a proto-Eichler: a modest 3-bed house, designed before Eichler brought in famous architects. In fact, when Eichler expanded Sunnyvale Manor in 1950 (Sunnyvale Manor II), he enlisted Anshen & Allen – so addresses on Morse Avenue, East Duane Avenue, E. Arbor or Maple Ave correspond to those 51 homes of Manor II. These 1950 A&A designs introduced modern elements (like floor-to-ceiling windows) to the tract, though they predate the later atrium style. A house number on Morse or Maple in Sunnyvale thus flags a very early Eichler that looks a bit different from the “classic” Eichlers – a piece of Eichler’s first experiments in modern tract design. (Indeed, some Eichler aficionados don’t immediately recognize the Manor II houses as Eichlers because they lack features like the later atrium, but historically they represent Eichler’s first major breakthrough in modern design for the masses.)
“Fair” Tracts of the Late 1950s: As Eichler’s success grew, he developed a series of Sunnyvale tracts often named with the prefix “Fair.” If a Sunnyvale Eichler’s address is on a street containing “Fair” or adjacent to Homestead Road, it likely belongs to this era:
Fairorchard (1956): e.g. a house on Wright Ave, Edmonton Ave, La Salle Dr, Helena Dr, or nearby Homestead Rd in southwestern Sunnyvale. This tract of 54 homes was one of Eichler’s mid-’50s projects. An address here means a larger mid-century model – homes in Fairorchard range from ~1370 up to 1890 sq ft (3-4 bedrooms), featuring both courtyard layouts and some of the first atrium entrances. A fun fact: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak grew up in a Fairorchard Eichler on Edmonton Ave, so an Edmonton Ave address is not only an Eichler identifier but a slice of tech history. These Fairorchard homes (addresses around the 700-800 blocks) were distinctly larger than Eichler’s earlier Sunnyvale houses, a response to buyer demand in the booming mid-’50s.
Fairbrae (1958) and Fairbrae Addition (1959–60): Addresses on Sheraton Drive, Pome Avenue, Quince Ave, or Pomegranate Court indicate the original Fairbrae tract (78 homes, circa 1958), while a host of cul-de-sacs branching off North & South Fair Oaks Ave or Hollenbeck Ave (such as Templeton Dr., Sesame Dr., Torrington Dr., Wingate, Ribier Ct, Royal Ann Dr, etc.) belong to the expansive Fairbrae Addition (275 homes built 1959–60). If an Eichler’s address is on one of these fruit- or wine-inspired street names (e.g. Tangerine Way or Strawberry Ct in central Sunnyvale), you can be confident it’s part of this late-’50s Eichler cluster. All Fairbrae homes were originally 4-bedroom, 2-bath models – Eichler had standardized the program for this tract. Many are classic L-shaped courtyard designs (“garages in front” forming an L), while others introduced the open-air atrium in the center of the house – a feature that was just coming into vogue around 1960. Thus, a Sheraton Drive Eichler would typically have a spacious courtyard model (often now fenced to create a private front patio), whereas an address on, say, Templeton Court (in the 1960 addition) might indicate an atrium model Eichler – perhaps with the atrium enclosed by post-and-beam framing and a slightly higher, sloping roof section over the living room. This tract’s addresses also reveal Eichler’s move upmarket: Fairbrae was envisioned as an upscale development, and indeed these homes originally sold with amenities like a membership option to the Fairbrae Swim & Tennis Club down the street. Even today, a Fairbrae address is a selling point, signaling a desirable neighborhood of larger mid-century homes.
Early 1960s: Rancho Verde and Gallery Model Introductions: Eichler continued in Sunnyvale into the 1960s with the Rancho Verde tracts. An Eichler address on or near South Mary Avenue (and cross streets like Ticonderoga, Shenandoah, or Trenton Drive) belongs to Rancho Verde (circa 1960, ~140 homes). These models were built just after Fairbrae and retained the 4-bed/2-bath layout, mixing courtyard and atrium configurations. By 1962, Eichler added a smaller adjacent tract now often called Rancho Verde Addition (40 homes) – so an address on Sherwood Drive/Court, Maraschino Drive, or Susquehanna Court marks one of those 1962 Eichlers. Why is that significant? This is where Eichler, working with architect Claude Oakland, debuted the “Gallery” model design A home on Sherwood or Susquehanna will likely have the telltale gallery or gallery atrium layout: a dramatic double-gable roof (often an A-frame peak over the atrium and another over the living area), creating high volumes and a unique facade profile. In other words, certain street addresses here effectively shout “special Eichler model inside!” – a trained eye knows that a Ticonderoga Dr. Eichler may have a flat or slightly pitched roof, but a Susquehanna Ct. Eichler (from ’62) could sport a striking high-pitched double A-frame roofline, one of Eichler’s boldest mid-century design experiments.
Mass Production in Fairwood (1961–62): If you find an Eichler on a bird-themed street in Sunnyvale (for example, Mallard Way, Flamingo Way, Kingfisher Way, Firebird Way, etc., off South Wolfe Road), you’ve located the Fairwood tract – Eichler’s largest Sunnyvale development, with 215 homes built in 1961–62. These addresses symbolize Eichler’s push toward higher-volume building. Fairwood Eichlers still feature the Eichler trademarks (post-and-beam construction, glass walls, atriums in some models), but historically this tract reflected a shift down-market and toward economies of scale for Eichler Homes. Indeed, contemporary accounts note that while Fairwood homes are true Eichlers, Eichler’s intense focus on this big project (and simultaneous ventures in San Francisco) stretched his resources thin. The result: Fairwood addresses correspond to slightly more standardized models – think of it as Eichler’s attempt at a more affordable modern home. A Kingfisher Way Eichler, for example, might have fewer custom flourishes than a Fairbrae cousin, but it remains a solid MCM design. For enthusiasts, the address clues here are the bird names and the tract’s sheer size; knowing a home is in Fairwood means it’s one of a vast mosaic of mid-century homes that, collectively, led Eichler Homes to financial overextension (the company went bankrupt a few years later). However, far from being undesirable, these Fairwood Eichlers today are prized for their location and still-cutting-edge design – an address in this tract carries the legacy of Eichler’s vision to bring modernism to the masses on a grand scale.
Fairwood Addition (1971): Surprisingly, Eichler returned to Sunnyvale for one final small project in the early 1970s. If an Eichler’s address is on Chukar Court or Chickadee Court, it’s in the tiny Fairwood Addition enclave (20 homes, built 1971). These late-coming Sunnyvale Eichlers are post-Eichler Homes bankruptcy (the Eichler name lived on in a limited capacity) and are notably small for the era – ranging from about 1,545 sq ft (courtyard plan) to 1,800 sq ft (atrium plan). A Chickadee Ct address thus hints at a “mini Eichler” that nostalgically harks back to the modest footprints of the 1950s, yet with the atrium feature of the ’60s. They represent Eichler’s last footprint in Sunnyvale and demonstrate how, even in later years, he continued to tweak home size and layout.
Sunnyvale’s Eichler house numbers, spread across so many tracts, truly read like chapters in Eichler’s career. From Bayview/Maude (birthplace of Eichler homes)to the Fairbrae/Fairwood courts that were Eichler’s apex of production, simply knowing the street address can place an Eichler home on this timeline and predict much about its design.
Mountain View: Monta Loma’s Mid-50s Gems and a 1970s Cul-De-Sac
Mountain View contains two main clusters of Eichler homes, and its Eichler addresses reflect two very different time periods and styles:
Monta Loma / Fairview Tract (1954): If you come across an Eichler address in Mountain View’s Monta Loma neighborhood – for example on Nedson Court, Emmons Drive, Dell Avenue, or Mardell Way – you’ve likely found the Fairview tract, a large Eichler development built in 1954. Monta Loma is a fascinating mix of mid-century homes; the Eichlers here (about 185 of them) were built after Eichler parted ways with Anshen & Allen and turned to Jones & Emmons as architects. Thus, a Monta Loma Eichler address signifies a Jones & Emmons design from the mid-’50s. These homes tend to be on the smaller side (averaging 1,100–1,400 sq ft, mostly 3-bedroom plans) – akin to Palo Alto’s contemporaneous Eichlers – and emphasize efficient use of space and indoor-outdoor flow. They typically do not have the later atrium feature (those would come at the end of the decade), but many are “open L-plan” houses with floor-to-ceiling glass facing private rear yards. Notably, the street names in Monta Loma can be misleading because not all homes in the area are Eichlers – Monta Loma also has Mardell-built and Mackay homes (other developers of mid-century modern houses). However, specific courts like Nedson Ct or Thompson Ave are almost entirely Eichler. If the house number and street point to the Fairview tract section (generally bounded by Montecito Ave and Thompson Ave), you can be confident it’s an Eichler from 1954. Being able to pinpoint that means you know the home’s pedigree: a post-Anshen & Allen Eichler that likely features the refined post-and-beam construction and indoor-outdoor integration that foreshadow Eichler’s later, larger homes.
Bell Meadows Tract (1972–73): In contrast to Monta Loma’s mid-century enclave, Mountain View also contains a small pocket of very late Eichlers. An address on Eichler Street, Eichler Court, or Trophy Drive (off Miramonte Avenue in the Bell Meadows area) is a giveaway – this is an Eichler tract built in 1972–1973, among the last Eichler projects ever. In fact, the developer’s pride is evident: they named Eichler Drive after Joe Eichler himself! Homes in Bell Meadows (53 houses total) were designed by Claude Oakland & Associates, who by the early ’70s had developed some of Eichler’s most innovative designs. A house number on Eichler Dr. or Trophy Dr. tells you to expect something special: most of these Mountain View late Eichlers are atrium models, many with the iconic double A-frame or folded plate rooflines, and all are generous 4-bedroom layouts on larger lots. In other words, these addresses correspond to the pinnacle of Eichler design – think soaring tongue-and-groove ceilings, sprawling atriums, and features like walk-in closets that earlier Eichlers lacked. For example, a home on Eichler Court likely has an atrium at its heart and a high-peaked ceiling in the living room, as well as luxury touches that compete with custom architect-designed homes of the era. The Bell Meadows addresses are also historically noteworthy because by the early ’70s Eichler Homes, as a company, was winding down – building these in Mountain View was a last flourish. If you know a Mountain View Eichler’s address is in Bell Meadows, you can appreciate that it’s one of the “late bloomers” of Eichler’s work, carrying design elements that evolved over two decades of building.
In summary, Mountain View Eichler addresses either point to 1950s classics in Monta Loma (the Fairview tract) or 1970s masterpieces in Bell Meadows. Recognizing the tract from the address lets you immediately gauge whether you’re looking at a compact mid-’50s Jones & Emmons original or a deluxe late-model Eichler by Claude Oakland.
Cupertino: The Fairgrove Addresses – Two Phases, Atrium vs. Courtyard
Cupertino’s Eichler legacy is concentrated almost entirely in one neighborhood: Fairgrove. The 225 Eichler homes in Cupertino were built in 1960–61 in this tract, located around the intersection of Miller Avenue and Bollinger Road (near today’s Apple Park campus). If an Eichler’s address is in Cupertino, odds are it’s in Fairgrove – and the position of the address east or west of Hyde Avenue can tell you which phase (and floor plan style) the home belongs to:
Fairgrove Phase I (1960, East of Hyde): Homes on streets east of Hyde Ave – for example, on Tantau Avenue, Phil Lane, or Wunderlich Drive – were part of the first phase built in 1960. These Eichlers are 3-bedroom models with smaller footprints (around 1,300 sq ft) and notably do not have atriums. Instead, they are courtyard models or L-shaped plans that have an open patio to the side or back. A Tantau Ave address, for instance, indicates a classic 1960 Eichler with the characteristic open-beam ceilings and glass walls, but likely an entry that leads directly into the living space (possibly via a covered porch) rather than into an atrium courtyard. In other words, an address in this part of Fairgrove tells you the home’s design is rooted in the late-’50s Eichler tradition (open floor plan, post-and-beam construction, carport or garage in front) but predates the widespread adoption of the atrium feature. These phase I homes were essentially the last Eichlers without atriums – a key architectural detail inferable from the address location.
Fairgrove Phase II (1961, West of Hyde): In 1961, Eichler expanded the tract west of Hyde Ave (around Stendhal Lane, Miller Ave, Birchgrove Drive, and Brookgrove Lane). An address on one of these western-side streets means the house comes from Phase II, which introduced a mix of courtyard and atrium models. These homes include 4-bedroom layouts up to ~1,850 sq ft, alongside smaller 3-bedroom plans. So, if you see an Eichler address on Stendhal or Miller in this neighborhood, you can anticipate an atrium-style Eichler – entering the home, one would first step into an open-air atrium foyer (now often covered with a skylight by owners, but originally open) before reaching the front door. Phase II addresses also correlate with slightly more varied roof profiles; some models here have the higher, sloped roof over the living room indicative of the atrium model Eichlers. Essentially, a Cupertino Eichler on the west side of Hyde signals “late Eichler 1961 design” – more space, an atrium, and sometimes additional features like walk-in storage or built-in cabinetry that were evolving in Eichler’s designs.
Notably, all Fairgrove Eichlers, whether Phase I or II, maintain a cohesive modernist style, and the neighborhood has fought to preserve that aesthetic. In fact, Cupertino was one of the first cities to adopt Eichler-specific design guidelines to protect these homes. So an address in Fairgrove also implies the home is part of a community with an active preservation ethos – original facades and materials are often intact or tastefully restored. For buyers and enthusiasts, just hearing “Cupertino Eichler on Tantau” versus “on Stendhal” immediately suggests whether they’ll find a classic non-atrium layout or a later atrium model, respectively, thanks to the clear phase division by street location.
San Jose: Morepark (Rose Glen) to Fairglen – Eichler’s Expansion in the Valley
San Jose’s Eichler homes span several neighborhoods and phases, and the city’s large area means Eichler addresses are a bit more scattered. However, five main Eichler enclaves were built in San Jose between 1952 and 1963, and each can be identified by its distinct address range and tract name:
Morepark (Rose Glen neighborhood, 1952–53): The very first Eichlers in San Jose were built near San Jose City College, in a tract originally marketed as “Morepark.” If you see an address on Menker Avenue, Goodwin Avenue, or Richmond Avenue in the Rose Glen area of San Jose, you’ve found one of these early Eichlers841menker.wordpress.com. Specifically, the Rose Glen Eichlers sit on Menker, Goodwin, and Richmond between Kingman Ave and Richmond Ave (just east of Moorpark Ave) – a small 75-home tract. These 1950s homes were the fifth Eichler tract ever built and the first in Santa Clara County. An address here is steeped in history: the Morepark homes were listed in 1953 for $14,800–$16,750841menker.wordpress.com, and Eichler used this tract to refine ideas for his expanding company. In fact, both Anshen & Allen and Jones & Emmons had a hand in the Morepark designs – unusually, some building plans from this tract bear the logos of both firms841menker.wordpress.com. (This collaborative overlap happened during Eichler’s transition from A&A to J&E and made Morepark something of a “living laboratory” for Eichler’s design concepts841menker.wordpress.com.) Thus, a Menker Ave Eichler might have design elements from both architects – truly a hybrid. For instance, one floor plan may have originated with Anshen & Allen (with their signature compact footprint and corner windows), then modified by Jones & Emmons to add an open kitchen or other innovation841menker.wordpress.com. The key takeaway: a Rose Glen Eichler address signifies a small, early Eichler (3-bed/1-bath, ~1100 sq ft) with a likely carport, minimalist mid-century styling, and it carries the narrative of Eichler’s early experimentation and buyer feedback (it’s documented that Eichler surveyed Morepark residents about what they liked in the design)841menker.wordpress.com. This neighborhood’s humble post-war streetscape belies its importance – an address here is where Eichler’s “social experiment” in modern housing took root in San Jose.
Advertisement for Eichler’s early “Morepark” tract in San Jose (circa 1953). Priced under $17,000, these modest Eichler homes were marketed as modern living for the middle class.841menker.wordpress.com
Fairglen (Willow Glen neighborhood, 1959–1961): If an Eichler address includes a street name with the prefix “Fair” (such as Fairglen Dr, Fairwood Ave, Fairorchard Ave, Fairhill Ln, Fairlawn Ct, etc.) in San Jose’s Willow Glen area, it’s part of the Fairglen tract – Eichler’s largest development in San Jose. Fairglen and its “Additions” make up about 218 Eichler houses bordering Booksin Avenue and Curtner Avenueparks.ca.gov. These were built roughly concurrently with Sunnyvale’s big tracts (1959–60) and indeed were designed by a who’s who of Eichler architects: Anshen & Allen’s influence is seen in some initial plans, but the homes were primarily designed by Jones & Emmons and Claude Oakland & Associatesparks.ca.gov. In fact, the Fairglen Additions historic district nomination notes Eichler produced these houses working with all three architects’ firms involved – resulting in thirteen different models across the tractparks.ca.gov. Thus, an address on, say, Fairglen Drive might be one of the popular 4-bedroom atrium models J&E developed, while around the corner a house on Hudson Drive (in Fairglen Addition Unit 1) could be an Oakland-designed model with a distinctive atrium/gallery combo. Generally, a Fairglen address guarantees a late-’50s Eichler: expect 3–4 bedrooms, an atrium or courtyard, and roughly 1,500–1,600 sq ft of living space on a 6,000 sq ft lotparks.ca.gov. Many Fairglen homes also have front-facing garage/carport configurations (some models have an exposed carport beam that’s a signature of this tract). The neighborhood has such architectural cohesion and integrity that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. For Eichler fans, a street sign like “Fairgrove Ct” or “Fairoak Ct” immediately signals “Willow Glen Eichler.” And because Fairglen was a sizeable tract, the addresses span multiple connected streets – from the original Fairglen core (Fairglen, Fairhill, Fairwood, Fairorchard, etc.) to Additions that extended onto Comstock, Dumbarton, Frobisher, Raleigh, Dry Creek and a few others. But rest assured, any address in that cluster is an Eichler – there were no other builders intermingled. Knowing it’s Fairglen also hints at community: this tract is known for its tight-knit mid-century community vibe (annual Eichler home tours, block parties, etc., as cited in Eichler Network profiles). So beyond architecture, a Fairglen address carries a bit of that “Eichler community spirit” reputation too.
Other San Jose Eichler Pockets (1962–63): San Jose saw a couple of smaller Eichler tracts in the early ’60s outside of Willow Glen:
Fairglen Addition Unit 2 / Dry Creek (1962): Some consider this part of Fairglen, but addresses on Dry Creek Road, Adele Place, or Margot Place are sometimes noted separately as a tiny tract built in 1962 adjacent to Fairglenatriare.com. Only a handful of homes, but if you spot a Dry Creek Rd Eichler, you’ll know it’s one of those late additions – likely a 4-bedroom atrium model with a slightly larger lot (Dry Creek is a more curved, suburban street).
Fairhaven Tract (Cambrian Park area, 1962–63): An address on Mossbrook Avenue, Mossbrook Circle, or Student Lane in southwest San Jose (near the Campbell border) is part of the Fairhaven Eichler tract. Fairhaven was a small enclave of 57 Eichler homes, all built 1962–1963. These are later Eichler designs: larger on average (around 1,700 sq ft) and featuring three different floor plans – two of which are atrium models. So a house number on Mossbrook tells you the home probably has an atrium and represents the last wave of Eichler’s work in San Jose. Fairhaven Eichlers also often have distinguishing roof profiles like broad gables or slightly higher entry volumes, signaling Eichler’s move toward the 1960s aesthetic. In essence, a Fairhaven address is the analogue to Cupertino’s Fairgrove phase II or Mountain View’s Bell Meadows – later-period, atrium-equipped Eichlers designed by Claude Oakland’s team. The tract being small and tucked away, these addresses are less widely recognized; however, any agent or enthusiast familiar with local Eichlers will perk up at a “Mossbrook Cir” listing, knowing it’s an Eichler gem in the Cambrian area.
San Jose’s example shows how original tract numbering and naming patterns serve as clues. The Rose Glen tract used existing city streets (Menker, etc.), so those Eichlers blend into a grid – you have to know the block to spot them. In contrast, the Fairglen and Fairhaven tracts introduced new street names (often starting with “Fair” or grouping together on a court), making them easier to identify. In all cases, once you connect an address to “it’s in Morepark” or “that’s in Fairglen,” a wealth of information unfolds about the home’s design features, architect, and significance.
From House Number to Home Design: Key Takeaways
Tract Names in Street Addresses: Many Eichler developments have themed street names that reveal their origins. If you see a cluster of streets with related names, it’s a hint they were created as part of a single Eichler project. For example, Palo Alto’s Greenmeadow tract includes several “Park” and nature-themed street names around a community park; San Jose’s Fairglen uses the “Fair” prefix on multiple streets, and Sunnyvale’s Fairwood famously used bird names (Kingfisher, Flamingo, etc.) for its streets. These naming patterns aren’t coincidental – they map to the original tract, so recognizing them helps pinpoint the Eichler tract on sight.
House Number Ranges and Phases: Within a given Eichler neighborhood, the house numbers often indicate different phases or sections. For instance, east vs. west sides of a dividing road (like Hyde Ave in Cupertino’s Fairgrove) correspond to 1960 vs. 1961 builds with different features (no atrium vs. atrium). Higher house numbers at the far end of a development might be in later phases or additions. If you know an Eichler was built in a multi-unit tract (e.g., Fairglen Additions Units 1–3), its address can tell you which unit map it’s on – and therefore which set of floor plans to expect. In San Jose’s Fairglen, Unit 1 vs. Unit 3 homes have subtle design updates which an enthusiast might discern if they know which streets were in each phase.
Architectural Features by Era (Inferred from Address): By tying an address to its tract’s year, you can predict architectural details. An Eichler from 1950–53 (addresses in original Palo Alto, Sunnyvale Manor, or Rose Glen tracts) will usually have: no atrium, a low or flat roof, 3 small bedrooms, sliding glass rear walls, and often a carport. Move to 1954–59 addresses (Greenmeadow, Fairbrae, etc.) and you’ll find: larger layouts (some 4-bedroom), introduction of atriums or courtyards, varied roof profiles (e.g. peaked roof over living area), and integrated garages. Addresses from 1960–64 (Rancho Verde, Fairglen, Cupertino Fairgrove) almost guarantee an atrium model or advanced courtyard design, sometimes with high open-beam ceilings and more complex facades (like double A-frames). And the rare early ’70s addresses (Mountain View’s Bell Meadows, Palo Alto’s 2-story Eichlers, San Jose’s Fairhaven) signal Eichler’s final innovations: even larger homes, occasional two-story builds, and luxury touches (walk-in closets, expansive master suites) not seen in the ’50s homes. In essence, the address timeline mirrors Eichler’s architectural evolution.
Historical Significance: Some Eichler tracts are formally recognized for their importance, and an address in those tracts underscores that pedigree. For example, owning a home on Channing Ave in Green Gables (Palo Alto) means your address is part of a National Register historic district – one of the first modern tracts ever honoredboyengateam.com. A Fairglen address in San Jose likewise signifies a home in a National Register-listed district, celebrated for Eichler’s contributions to modern architectureparks.ca.gov. Even without official designations, certain addresses carry cachet among MCM fans: Greenmeadow in Palo Alto, with its Eichler community center, or Fairbrae in Sunnyvale with its swim club, are examples where the tract’s name (and thus the address location) is synonymous with mid-century modern community living.
By decoding Eichler house numbers and street names, enthusiasts and buyers can glean an impressive amount of insight before even stepping inside. The address places the home in context – telling the story of when it was built, who designed it, what layout and features to expect, and why it might be special. In Silicon Valley’s real estate landscape, where Eichler homes are prized for their heritage, this kind of knowledge is power. Whether it’s identifying a classic 1950 Anshen & Allen design on Channing, a Jones & Emmons atrium model on Sesame Drive, or a Claude Oakland “gallery” Eichler on Eichler Court, the language of Eichler addresses opens up a deeper appreciation of these mid-century modern treasures. With this guide, anyone can start to read that language – linking house numbers to the rich legacy behind the glass walls and post-and-beam ceilings that Joseph Eichler made famous.
The Boyenga Team at Compass, led by Eric and Janelle Boyenga, are Silicon Valley’s premier Eichler real estate experts. With decades of experience, deep architectural knowledge, and a true passion for mid-century modern design, they help clients decode the nuances of each Eichler tract—from hidden gallery models to rare Claude Oakland originals. Known for their innovative marketing, neighborhood insight, and white-glove representation, the Boyengas work to ensure every buyer and seller benefits from expert strategy, historical context, and modern tech-driven exposure.
Sources: Connected references provide tract details, historical context, and examples of how specific Eichler developments (and their addresses) map to architects, years, and home designs boyengateam.com parks.ca.gov. These resources and city planning documents have been used to ensure accurate tracing of Eichler house numbers to their design pedigrees.