Eichler Homes in Redwood City’s Woodside Plaza (94062) – History, Design, and Market Trends
Mid-Century Roots: Eichler’s Redwood City Debut
Redwood City was among Joseph Eichler’s earliest ventures outside Santa Clara County, marking his first major foray into San Mateo County homebuilding en.wikipedia.org. In 1950 Eichler completed the Atherwood subdivision, a tract of 64 single-story modern homes near the Atherton border en.wikipedia.org. These were classic early Eichlers: modest 3-bedroom floor plans with either one or two baths, open-beam ceilings, and walls of glass. Notably, Atherwood featured several experimental butterfly roofs, making it the first housing tract in California to showcase that dramatic roofline styleen.wikipedia.org. This architectural boldness earned Atherwood national acclaim – Architectural Forum magazine honored it as a 1950 “Subdivision of the Year,” one of only four developments (and the sole Eichler tract outside Palo Alto) to receive that distinction. Buoyed by Atherwood’s success, Eichler went on to build additional tracts in Redwood City through the early 1950s, ultimately constructing about 160 Eichler homes citywide walkingredwoodcity.com.
Following Atherwood, Eichler added two more enclaves that cemented Redwood City’s mid-century modern footprint. In 1953 the Fairwood tract was built – a single-block development on Lyons Street near Red Morton Park featuring 28 homes eichlernetwork.com. These were slightly larger models (around 1,300 sq ft, typically 3 bedrooms and 2 baths) reflecting Eichler’s evolving design for growing middle-class families. A year later came Sequoia Meadow (1954), a small cluster of Eichlers along Northumberland Avenue and Cypress Street. The Sequoia Meadow designs were compact (mostly ~1,110 sq ft, 3-bed/2-bath layouts) in line with Eichler’s early-’50s offerings, though a few stretched to ~1,400 sq ft for buyers needing extra space. By the mid-1950s, Redwood City’s Eichler expansion had concluded, as Eichler turned his focus to larger projects elsewhere. The result was a trio of distinct Eichler neighborhoods in Redwood City – Atherwood, Fairwood, and Sequoia Meadow – each encapsulating a moment in Eichler’s timeline. Together they offer a living history of Eichler’s early evolution: from Anshen & Allen-designed originals in 1950 walkingredwoodcity.com to slightly bigger mid-decade models, all pre-atrium era Eichlers (in fact, these homes were built before Eichler introduced the center atrium concept in 1957) and with period details like wood sliding doors (aluminum sliders came later). Eichler’s personal imprint on Redwood City may be smaller in scale than in Palo Alto, but it remains significant – a point of pride for local architectural enthusiasts.
Eichler Enclaves in the Woodside Plaza Neighborhood
Most of Redwood City’s Eichler homes are clustered in the city’s west side, around the Woodside Plaza area. Woodside Plaza itself was a new mid-century shopping center (opened in stages in the 1950s) developed to serve the postwar suburban neighborhoods growing along Woodside Road flickr.com. Eichler’s Atherwood tract sits just off Woodside Road (State Route 84) on Atherwood Avenue, Parkwood Way, and Oakfield Avenue – essentially tucked behind the Woodside Plaza hub and adjacent to Atherton’s city limitsen.wikipedia.org. This placement gave Atherwood residents easy walking access to the Plaza’s grocery, shops, and cafés, a convenience that remains a selling point today. Sequoia Meadow, located just north of Atherwood in the Redwood Oaks section, is similarly near Woodside Road and within a short bike ride of Woodside Plaza’s amenities. The Fairwood tract on Lyons Street lies a bit further north (near Jefferson Avenue), but it benefits from being steps away from Red Morton Park, a large community park with sports fields and a new recreation center. All three Eichler pockets are part of what locals consider the greater Woodside Plaza or Redwood Oaks neighborhood – a relatively flat, family-friendly district with schools and parks interwoven among mid-century homes.
Figure: A 2022 aerial view of Redwood City’s Atherwood Eichler tract (center-left, with distinctive linear streets) nestled alongside Red Morton Park’s ballfields. Atherwood’s single-entry layout off Woodside Road creates a tranquil enclave of mid-century modern homesen.wikipedia.org. Mature trees now canopy the tract’s streets, softening the rectilinear pattern of homes and highlighting Eichler’s vision of integrating indoor-outdoor living with the surrounding landscape.
Each Eichler tract in Woodside Plaza has its own layout and architectural character. Atherwood was designed as a small network of interlocking streets forming a gentle loop, which limited through-traffic and created a “pocket neighborhood” feel. Original tract maps (as noted by Architectural Forum in 1950) praised Atherwood’s site plan for efficient use of its land while preserving privacy and openness. One charming bit of local lore even speculated that the rounded shape of one street could have been a former dog-racing track – a myth since debunked by long-time residents, yet telling of the tract’s distinctive circular road pattern and communal feelwalkingredwoodcity.com. Architecturally, Atherwood’s Eichlers stand out for their butterfly roof designs on about 10 of the homesen.wikipedia.org. These dramatic V-shaped roofs (high points at the sides, dipping in the middle) were a daring departure from the typical post-and-beam gable; Eichler’s use of them in 1950 actually predated the famous butterfly-roof tract houses of Palm Springs by several yearsen.wikipedia.org. The remaining Atherwood models have conventional low-slope roofs, but all share hallmark mid-century features: open beam ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass facing private backyards, Philippine mahogany wall paneling, and carports or modest garages at the front. Because Atherwood was one of Eichler’s earliest projects with an outside architect (Anshen & Allen), it holds a special place for architecture buffs – essentially a prototype Eichler community bridging custom modern design with mass-market developmentwalkingredwoodcity.com.
Just north, the Sequoia Meadow tract (along Northumberland Ave.) is smaller and arranged around a single cul-de-sac, giving it a cozy, secluded vibe. Many of these homes sit on pie-shaped parcels at the cul-de-sac’s curve, yielding slightly larger backyards – one Eichler on Northumberland is noted for its extra-large lot at the end of the court zillow.com. Sequoia Meadow’s Eichlers were built in 1954 and designed during Eichler’s Jones & Emmons era, so while they are compact (mostly ~1,100 sq ft), they incorporate some refinements like enlarged window walls and more built-in storage, reflecting lessons learned from the earlier models. The street layout of this tract is simple, but the cul-de-sac configuration fostered an intimate atmosphere where neighbors often know each other well (one way in and out tends to encourage interactions).
Meanwhile, the Fairwood tract on Lyons Street has become somewhat legendary among Eichler aficionados. It was originally marketed as “Fairwood” in 1953, but today locals simply refer to it by its street name – Lyons Street. This is a one-block-long row of 28 Eichler houses, all facing each other across the street with no cross-streets in between. The uniform orientation and isolation of Lyons Street give it a stage-like quality – a perfect showcase of mid-century modern aesthetic lining both sides of a quiet lane. Remarkably, decades later “almost all [the houses] look quite original from the street” eichlernetwork.com in this tract. Many owners on Lyons have preserved the iconic Eichler elements – the uncluttered façades with paneled front doors, globe entry lights, and the carport or garage fronts that still echo their 1950s appearance. The street itself is lush with mature trees, forming a leafy canopy over the Eichler roofs. In fact, Lyons Street’s charm is often attributed to this arch of trees as much as to the architecture – an Eichler Network profile fondly nicknamed it the “Dream Street” for mid-century modern lovers eichlernetwork.com. “It was our dream street!” recalls one resident, Mary Bowie, describing how she and her husband fell in love with Lyons Street during their house hunt eichlernetwork.com. When an Eichler on the block finally came up for sale, the Bowies jumped at the chance – as did at least 15 other bidders – but ultimately “we ended up getting it on our dream street!” Mary says eichlernetwork.com. This anecdote captures the almost cult-like appeal of Redwood City’s Woodside Plaza Eichlers for enthusiasts: despite being fewer in number than in some cities, they inspire intense loyalty and competition when available.
Lot Sizes and Architectural Appeal: Purists vs. Modernists
One notable aspect of Redwood City’s Eichler homes is their generous lot sizes relative to the house footprint. Typical parcels in Atherwood and nearby tracts are around 6,000–7,000 square feet (about 0.14 acre) redfin.com, which comfortably accommodates the ~1,100–1,500 sq ft single-story homes, carport/garage, and yard space. By comparison, some Palo Alto Eichlers sit on tighter ~5,000 sq ft lots, while in the San Mateo Highlands many Eichlers enjoy 10,000+ sq ft hillside lots. Redwood City’s mid-century subdivisions struck a middle ground: the lots are large enough for ample backyards (often with pools, lawns, or expansions), yet compact enough to foster a neighborly feel. This scale appeals to architectural purists who value the proportional simplicity of Eichler homes – the house neither overwhelms nor is lost on the lot – as well as to modern remodelers seeking a bit of land to personalize. An open, flat lot of about 0.15 acres is ideal for Eichler’s indoor-outdoor living; there’s space for floor-to-ceiling glass to gaze out on a private patio and garden, one of Eichler’s signature design features.
Design purists are indeed drawn to Redwood City’s Eichlers because many original details survive. In parts of Woodside Plaza, you can still find homes with untouched Philippine mahogany walls, 1950s globe light fixtures, and original tar-and-gravel low-slope roofs. The Lyons Street tract in particular is a time capsule – nearly all of its homes retain their authentic mid-century curbside appearance eichlernetwork.com. Some owners even adhere to period-appropriate paint colors and materials when maintaining their homes. This preservation is partly organic (thanks to long-term owners who resisted trendy remodels over the years) and partly cultural – neighbors on “Dream Street” seem to reinforce each other’s enthusiasm for keeping the Eichler aesthetic intact. The result is that Lyons Street today looks “so original looking,” as one Eichler Network writer observed, that a drive down the block feels like stepping into 1953 eichlernetwork.com. Such consistency is catnip for Eichler fans and architectural tours; it’s not uncommon to see design buffs slowly cruising Lyons or Atherwood, admiring the unaltered rooflines and iconic post-and-beam profiles of the houses.
That said, not every Redwood City Eichler remains frozen in time – and this is where the modern remodelers come in. Unlike some Eichler neighborhoods in Palo Alto, Redwood City’s Eichler tracts do not have special historic designations or single-story overlay zoning. Homeowners have flexibility to modify or even rebuild, and over the years a number have done so in creative ways. In the Redwood Oaks area, “many [Eichlers] have been updated – one was even given a second story,” a local blogger noted, though “many of the homes appear to be pretty much original” in form walkingredwoodcity.com. That mix of remodel approaches is evident: on one street an Eichler might sport an ultra-modern kitchen addition or a new master suite, while a few doors down another Eichler looks virtually as it did 70 years ago. Lot size plays a big role in remodel potential. With ~6,000 sq ft to work with, some owners choose to expand outward or upward. A handful of Eichlers have been significantly enlarged or rebuilt into two-story homes that maintain a mid-century flavor. For example, one Lyons Street Eichler was “extensively rebuilt in 2000…expanded from the original floor plan to 4 generous bedrooms and 2.5 baths,” bringing it to 1,800 sq ft (versus ~1,290 sq ft originally) compass.com. According to its listing agent, the remodeled home “displays the original Eichler style with floor-to-ceiling windows [and] vaulted tongue-in-groove ceilings,” preserving the classic post-and-beam essence even after the expansion compass.com. Similarly, over in Atherwood, recent sales have showcased homes that underwent down-to-the-studs modernizations: 165 Camellia Avenue, for instance, was described as a “completely modernized, original Eichler home…keeping its midcentury post-and-beam design and walls of floor-to-ceiling glass” compass.com. In that case the owners updated all the systems and finishes (new roof, insulation, kitchen, etc.) to 21st-century standards, but were careful to retain the signature Eichler open-air atrium feel (even though these early models have no atrium, the effect is achieved through open living spaces and big windows). Upgrades like dual-pane glass, efficient foam roofing, and contemporary interiors have allowed these mid-century homes to meet modern tastes while honoring their roots.
It’s this duality that defines Redwood City’s Eichler scene: it attracts both the “Eichler purist” who swoons over unpainted ceilings and original Thermador ovens, and the “modern design enthusiast” who sees an Eichler as a canvas for creative renewal (Polished concrete floors? High-end appliances? Solar panels hidden behind that flat roof? All possible here). The good news is that the neighborhood fabric accommodates both. Because the Eichler tracts are small and relatively tight-knit, even heavily remodeled homes tend to respect the scale and spirit of the originals – there’s a bit of peer pressure to avoid McMansion-style extremes. In Redwood City, you’ll find examples of sensitive second-story additions that are set back to keep a low profile, as well as teardown-rebuilds that echo Eichler-esque lines (wide eaves, horizontal siding) rather than jarringly depart from them. The lack of strict design rules means buyer beware – a prospective Eichler purist will want to ensure no looming two-story next door blocks the sun – but so far the community balance has been remarkably good. In sum, Woodside Plaza offers a microcosm of the broader mid-century modern fandom: a place where originality and innovation coexist, each style of homeowner appreciating the neighborhood’s unique architectural legacy in their own way.
94062 vs. Nearby Eichler Neighborhoods: How Does Redwood City Compare?
When evaluating Redwood City’s Eichlers (in the 94062/94061 area) against other mid-century modern enclaves on the Peninsula, a few key differences emerge:
Scale and Rarity: Redwood City has a boutique collection of Eichlers – roughly 160 homes in total spread across three small tracts walkingredwoodcity.com. This is a far cry from Palo Alto, which boasts around 2,700 Eichler homes (the most of any city) scattered in dozens of tracts and cul-de-sacs walkingredwoodcity.com. Even San Mateo has larger Eichler communities, like the Highlands with ~700 Eichlers and 19th Avenue Park (~100 Eichlers). For buyers, this means Redwood City Eichlers are relatively rare and tightly clustered; a house-hunter might only see one or two hit the market in Redwood City each year, whereas Palo Alto’s larger inventory offers more turnover (but also far more competition). The small scale also contributes to a stronger neighborhood identity in Woodside Plaza – residents in each tract tend to know one another, and there’s a bit of a “collective stewardship” mentality since each Eichler pocket is precious. In Palo Alto or the Highlands, by contrast, Eichlers are numerous enough to feel like a regular (if beloved) part of the urban fabric.
Home Design and Lot Size: Redwood City’s Eichlers were all built in the early 1950s, which means they are earlier designs – typically no atriums (enclosed atriums became common in Eichlers built after 1957), slightly smaller floor plans, and simpler elevations. Many are Anshen & Allen or early Jones & Emmons designs, characterized by efficient 3-bedroom layouts and sometimes carports instead of full garages. In Palo Alto, Eichler developments span from 1950 to 1974, including late-’50s and ’60s models that introduced atriums, bigger footprints (4- and 5-bedroom models), and different architects (Claude Oakland designs in the 1960s, for example). San Mateo’s Highlands (1955-1964) also has larger, more split-level Eichlers (including the famous steel X-100 experimental house built in 1956). Thus, a Redwood City Eichler might appeal to a buyer who appreciates “first-generation Eichlers” – the purer form of Eichler’s mid-century vision – whereas a buyer wanting an atrium model or a more expansive MCM home might lean toward Palo Alto’s later tracts or the Highlands. Lot sizes in Redwood City are moderate (~0.14 acres on average redfin.com), which is comparable to many Palo Alto Eichler lots and a bit smaller than the Highlands lots (which often range 0.2–0.3 acres on hilly terrain). One advantage in Redwood City is the flat topography – every home’s lot is fully usable (great for kids, gardens, or additions) and the indoor-outdoor flow is unhindered by slopes. Palo Alto Eichlers are also mostly on flat ground. In the Highlands, while lots are bigger, they can be sloped or oddly shaped due to the hillside setting, which sometimes limits yard usability but affords views. So in Redwood City’s Woodside Plaza, you get level, sun-filled yards – a big plus for those who want outdoor living spaces to complement the Eichler glass walls.
Community & Lifestyle: Redwood City’s Eichler neighborhoods have a laid-back, less formal vibe compared to some “prestige” Eichler enclaves. For instance, Palo Alto Eichler districts (like Greenmeadow or Los Arboles) often come with active neighborhood associations, Eichler-specific design guidelines or single-story overlay zones, and top-ranked public schools that drive up demand (and prices). Woodside Plaza’s Eichler tracts do not have official design review boards or CC&Rs dictating Eichler aesthetics; homeowners have more freedom (for better or worse) to alter homes. This appeals to buyers who want mid-century style without feeling overly restricted or in the spotlight of a famous district. The trade-off is that Redwood City’s schools (Redwood City School District and Sequoia High) are solid but not as celebrated as Palo Alto’s – some mid-century modern buyers who prioritize school rankings might weigh this in their decision. On the other hand, Redwood City Eichler owners enjoy a diverse, unpretentious community atmosphere. Neighbors bond over shared appreciation of architecture, but also over block parties, local parks, and everyday life. As one Lyons Street resident noted, it’s never hard to gather a group of neighbors on that block, thanks to the friendships forged over the years in this tight community eichlernetwork.com. In San Mateo’s Highlands, there is a similarly strong neighborhood network (the Highlands has a homeowner association that even organizes an annual Eichler home tour), so community-minded buyers will find camaraderie in either location. But Redwood City’s smaller scale means newcomers are quickly known and welcomed – there’s a bit of a “small town” feel within these few Eichler blocks.
Property Values: In terms of pricing, Redwood City Eichlers historically offered a more affordable entry point into Eichler ownership than Palo Alto’s. Even today, an Eichler in Redwood City (depending on condition) might trade for 20-30% less per square foot than one in Palo Alto. For example, an extensively remodeled 3-bedroom Eichler in Redwood City sold in late 2024 for about $2.3 million redfin.com, whereas a comparable Eichler in Palo Alto often exceeds $3 million. During the tech boom of the 2010s, Palo Alto Eichler prices skyrocketed (with some sales well above $4M for large models), while Redwood City’s Eichlers steadily climbed into the $1–2M range. Now in the mid-2020s, turnkey 3-bed Eichlers in Woodside Plaza commonly fetch around $2.2–2.6M redfin.com realtor.com, especially if modernized or on a desirable court, whereas original-condition fixer-uppers (if you can find one) might be in the high $1 millions. San Mateo Highlands Eichlers are roughly on par with Redwood City in pricing – mid-$2M for a nicely updated home, a bit less for smaller or original ones – although unique cases (like the Highlands’ rare models or view lots) can go higher. It’s worth noting that Redwood City’s profile as a city has risen in recent years (with a revitalized downtown and major employers like Oracle, Box, and Electronic Arts nearby eichlerhomesforsale.com), which has narrowed the price gap. Some buyers who get “priced out” of Palo Alto’s Mid-Century Modern market turn to Redwood City’s Eichlers as an attractive alternative that still offers the Peninsula location and authentic Eichler design. The relative value, combined with lower property taxes than Santa Clara County in some cases, makes 94062’s Eichlers a savvy buy for those in the know.
Amenities and Setting: The Woodside Plaza Eichler neighborhoods benefit from a very convenient Peninsula location. They are roughly mid-way between San Francisco and San Jose, and close to major freeways (I-280 and US-101 via Woodside Road). For tech professionals, the commute to Silicon Valley job centers is reasonable, and Meta (Facebook), Google, and other employers are only a short drive or Caltrain ride away compass.com. Compared to Palo Alto Eichler areas, which are further south, Redwood City offers a shorter trip to reach San Francisco or SFO airport. In terms of local amenities, Woodside Plaza’s Eichlers have shopping and dining at their doorstep – the Woodside Plaza Shopping Center (with groceries, cafés, banks, etc.) is walkable for many Atherwood residents, and a variety of restaurants line Woodside Road. Palo Alto Eichler tracts, in contrast, are more residentially isolated; they often require a drive or bike to reach shopping areas (though they have their own draws, like community pools or nearby downtown Palo Alto depending on the tract). San Mateo Highlands has a community recreation center and a mid-century modern shopping plaza (with a grocery and some shops), giving it a self-contained feel but not as many choices as Redwood City proper. Additionally, parks and greenery enrich all these neighborhoods: Redwood City’s Red Morton Park (with a new Magical Bridge playground and community center) is a huge bonus for Fairwood/Lyons residents, and numerous smaller parks and school yards dot the area. Woodside Plaza Eichler owners often remark on the lush tree canopy along their streets – something they share with Palo Alto’s leafy neighborhoods. Indeed, Redwood City’s Eichler blocks like Lyons Street are celebrated for their beautiful mature oaks and redwoods shading the sidewalks compass.com. This tree cover not only enhances curb appeal but also complements the Eichler philosophy of bringing the outdoors in. The Highlands, by comparison, has a more open, hilltop landscape – great views but fewer street trees – and Palo Alto’s Eichler areas vary from sparse (in newer South PA tracts) to richly canopied (in older North PA tracts). Ultimately, a buyer choosing between these areas will consider the lifestyle vibe: Redwood City offers a blend of suburban peace and urban adjacency (with a vibrant downtown just a couple miles away), while Palo Alto offers prestige and top schools, and San Mateo Highlands offers a unique mid-century community in a hilly setting. It often comes down to personal priorities – but mid-century modern DNA runs strong in all of them.
Market Trends and Buyer Appeal in 94062 Eichlers
The market trajectory for Eichler homes in Redwood City (Woodside Plaza area) has been strongly upward over the past decade, as interest in mid-century modern design surged. In the early 2000s, one could find these homes trading for well under $1 million – often viewed as “retro fixer-uppers.” But as Silicon Valley prosperity grew and appreciation for Eichler architecture deepened, prices climbed significantly. By the mid-2010s, updated Eichlers in Redwood City were selling in the $1.2–$1.5M range. Fast-forward to the 2020s: several recent sales have crossed the $2M threshold. For example, a fully remodeled Atherwood Eichler at 1156 Parkwood Way closed in 2024 for $2.3 million redfin.com, and an extensively upgraded Eichler on Camellia Avenue sold for about $2.5 million in 2021 realtor.com. Even original-condition homes, if any come up, tend to receive multiple offers from buyers eager to restore or rebuild, often pushing the sale price above asking. The combination of limited supply (only a handful of these homes exist, and owners hold them tightly) and broadening demand (new generations discovering the appeal of clean mid-century lines) has made 94062 Eichlers a hot commodity.
Who is buying these homes? Mid-century modern enthusiasts are an obvious segment – people who might have otherwise focused on Eichlers in Palo Alto or the East Bay, but found Redwood City’s offerings equally charming and somewhat more affordable. These buyers often cite the “woodsy-modern” feel of the Woodside Plaza area, with its mature landscaping and low-slung roofs, as a key draw. The homes have “great bones” for renovation: concrete slab floors for easy radiant-heat upgrades, post-and-beam structure for open-concept remodels, and big flat lots for expansion or outdoor living projects. Real estate professionals specializing in Eichlers note that Redwood City’s Eichlers are sought after by both purists and pragmatists. The purist buyer might leave the original mahogany walls intact, or even restore features like capiz shell globe lights; the pragmatist might invest $500k in a down-to-frame reconstruction, knowing the end product will fetch a premium. Both see value – one in the historical authenticity, the other in the architectural canvas and neighborhood upside.
One interesting aspect affecting buyer appeal is local zoning and regulations (or lack thereof). Redwood City currently does not impose Eichler-specific preservation ordinances or single-story limits in these tracts. From a buyer’s perspective, this cuts two ways. Some appreciate the freedom – you can add a second level or a bold ADU (accessory dwelling unit) out back without extraordinary hurdles, as long as you follow standard R-1 zoning and design guidelines. This has enticed purchasers who envision creating a larger modern home while retaining Eichler style, effectively future-proofing the home for a growing family. The Lyons Street rebuild mentioned earlier is a case in point: the buyers were able to nearly double the home’s size, something that would have faced heavier scrutiny in a more regulated Eichler neighborhood, yet “the light-filled great room [still] displays the original Eichler style” post-renovation compass.com. On the flip side, lack of an overlay means a homeowner could (in theory) dramatically alter or tear down an Eichler, which gives some purist buyers pause. In practice, Redwood City’s Eichler owners have been good stewards – there have been very few true tear-down replacements, and those that did occur tried to respect the neighborhood’s scale. It’s not in anyone’s interest to over-build in these modest neighborhoods, and the market has shown that tasteful modernizations yield the best return. Real estate agents frequently point out if a property is on a street with predominantly original Eichlers or if any looming two-stories are adjacent, knowing Eichler buyers weigh that heavily. In short, the zoning flexibility is a selling point for the remodel-oriented buyer, while the intact character of streets like Fairwood/Lyons is the reassurance the Eichler purist needs that their investment is in a cohesive enclave.
Another factor is tree cover and landscaping, which in 94062’s Eichler districts is particularly attractive. Over 60-70 years, the neighborhoods have grown into a verdant oasis. Towering oaks, liquidambars, and yes, even a few redwood trees dot the yards and sidewalks. These trees provide dappled shade (valuable for Eichler’s floor-to-ceiling glass on hot days) and add privacy by partially screening the floor-to-ceiling windows. When prospective buyers visit Lyons Street, the first impression is often the “cathedral” effect of trees arching over mid-century roofs – a setting you can’t replicate in newer developments. Indeed, the “pristine, tree-lined street” look is heavily featured in marketing for homes here compass.com. For example, listings often mention the “park-like backyard” or mature gardens that come with the property. This natural ambience, combined with Eichler’s walls of glass, is a huge lifestyle draw: you feel connected to greenery from every room. Of course, mature trees also mean maintenance (fallen leaves in the atrium, roots near slabs), and not every Eichler tract has the same canopy – but Woodside Plaza scores high on this aspect. Savvy agents might say the “lush setting” effectively extends the living space outdoors, something mid-century buyers cherish. Notably, Redwood City’s climate (famous for its slogan “Climate Best by Government Test”) is warm and sunny but with a bay breeze – perfect for enjoying that indoor-outdoor flow most of the year.
Lastly, proximity to amenities boosts the appeal of these neighborhoods for a range of buyers. Young families love that there are schools and playgrounds within walking distance (the neighborhood elementary school, though currently undergoing changes walkingredwoodcity.com, and Kennedy Middle School, are inside the Woodside Plaza area). Retirees and professionals alike appreciate having the Woodside Plaza Shopping Center so close – you can walk or bike to grab coffee, groceries, or a casual dinner, which is somewhat unique for Eichler enclaves (many Eichler tracts in suburbs require a drive for basic errands). Additionally, downtown Redwood City’s restaurants, theaters, and Caltrain station are only a few minutes’ drive or a longer bike ride away. Compare this to, say, the San Mateo Highlands where the nearest large shopping area is down the hill, or Palo Alto’s Greenmeadow where you drive to California Ave or Midtown – Woodside Plaza is very conveniently situated. As one real estate listing boasted, these homes are “minutes to downtown RWC, [and tech campuses] Meta, Google & all Silicon Valley has to offer” compass.com, underscoring the excellent location. For buyers who want both a serene, design-forward home and urban/work accessibility, Redwood City’s Eichlers hit a sweet spot.
Figure: A modernized Eichler home in Redwood City’s Atherwood tract (example from 165 Camellia Ave.). Many Eichler owners in 94062/94061 have undertaken thoughtful renovations like this, updating kitchens, windows, and landscaping while preserving classic mid-century elements such as the open-beam ceiling, expanses of glass, and seamless flow to the outdoors compass.com. These upgrades command top dollar in the market – this particular home sold for over $2.5 million in 2021 realtor.com – reflecting the strong demand for turn-key Eichler living in Redwood City.
In summary, Eichler homes in Redwood City’s Woodside Plaza (94062) area offer a compelling blend of mid-century authenticity, neighborhood charm, and modern-day convenience. Their history is rooted in Eichler’s early experimentation and inclusive vision of “modern living for the masses,” and today they attract a devoted following of buyers ranging from architects and tech professionals to young families and downsizing empty-nesters. Whether one is drawn by the flat-roof nostalgia of an untouched 1950 gem or the idea of artfully adapting a classic Eichler to 21st-century luxury, Redwood City delivers. As Eichler-specialist Realtors often remind clients, there’s something special about these hidden Eichler pockets: they’re livable time capsules of California Modernism. With Redwood City’s rising profile and no sign of waning interest in mid-century design, the Woodside Plaza Eichlers look poised to appreciate not just in value, but in cultural significance as well – remaining, much like Mary Bowie’s Lyons Street, a “dream street” for generations to come eichlernetwork.com.
Sources: Historical development and tract details from Eichler Network and local Eichler experts walkingredwoodcity.com; architectural insights from Architectural Forum archives and Wikipedia (Atherwood’s butterfly roofs and awards) en.wikipedia.org; neighborhood anecdotes and quotes from Eichler homeowners and bloggers eichlernetwork.com walkingredwoodcity.com; real estate data from MLS listings and Redfin/Compass sales for 94062/94061 Eichlers redfin.com realtor.com. The combination of these perspectives paints a comprehensive picture of Eichler homes in Redwood City – past, present, and future.
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