Eichler X-100: A Midcentury Masterpiece in San Mateo Highlands
Step inside one of Northern California’s most innovative midcentury homes: the Eichler X-100, a one-of-a-kind steel-frame show house in San Mateo’s Highlands neighborhood. Built in 1956 (by Eichler Homes to designs of A. Quincy Jones & Frederick Emmons), this distinctive residence was celebrated as a “home of tomorrow”. Today it offers a rare opportunity to live in a fully restored architectural icon – with sweeping western views above the Crystal Springs Reservoir, walls of glass and sliding panels, and abundant light spilling through skylights and indoor gardens. This is more than a home; it’s a historic design statement and a lifestyle in itself.
Property Overview
Address: 1586 Lexington Avenue, San Mateo (Highlands-Baywood Park)
Type: Single-family Eichler (steel-frame) home
Beds/Baths: 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths (per assessor)
Size: ~2,190 sq ft interior on an 8,799 sq ft lot (~0.20 acres)
Year Built: 1956
Architectural Style: Mid-Century Modern (X-100 is an experimental “house of steel” designed by A. Quincy Jones & F. Emmons).
Special Status: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2016).
Every square foot of the X-100 celebrates modernism. The open single-story floor plan is built around two interior gardens (an “entry garden” and a “game garden”), with a third outdoor play yard. The living, dining and kitchen areas wrap around this core, creating a seamless flow. Floor-to-ceiling glass and glass sliding doors (inside and along the rear facade) dissolve boundaries between indoors and out, bathing the home in light and opening to the terraces and lawn beyond. The steel post-and-beam structure (a deliberate departure from Eichler’s usual wood framing) makes virtually every interior wall a wall of glass – eliminating load-bearing walls and providing dramatic long spans and deep overhangs. An original rotating fireplace and distinctive circular concrete stepping stones add sculptural intrigue (the entry still retains its 8×4′ Formica-topped kitchen table with built-in burners). In short, the X-100 epitomizes the Eichler ideals of indoor–outdoor living, simplicity of form, and honest materials – only taken to the ultimate level by its steel frame and advanced features.
Major mechanical systems and finishes have been updated sympathetically. For example, the original tar-and-gravel roof was replaced with spray-foam insulation, and the underfloor radiant heat (standard in Eichlers) gently warms the concrete slab throughout. Premium midcentury-inspired materials abound: Formica cabinets (with reversible color panels) and built-in Herman Miller furniture once furnished the home, and original accents remain as period details. Today the house is offered in immaculate, fully furnished condition (mid-century modern art and furniture included), ready for modern living. Recent restorations by Eichler experts have ensured the home’s systems are reliable, while preserving its architectural integrity.
Architectural Highlights
Steel-Frame Construction: Among the only mass-market steel Eichler homes (part of Jones & Emmons’ series of experimental steel houses). The red-painted H-beams and I-beams are exposed as design features, giving the home a clean, industrial-chic look.
Walls of Glass: Nearly the entire rear elevation (and interior partitions) are sliding glass panels. With over 150 feet of glass sliders, the living spaces enjoy panoramic sky and hill views. The master bedroom in particular opens fully to the back yard.
Atrium/Garden Plan: Instead of a typical Eichler atrium, the X-100 has two inner gardens and an outdoor courtyard that bring daylight and greenery deep into the plan. These gardens create private outdoor “rooms” between living spaces.
Innovative Details: Original features like multiple plastic skylights (“skydomes”) with integrated lighting, an 8′ Formica dining table with hidden burners, reversible cabinet panels, and a (now removed) revolving fireplace underscore the home’s experimental pedigree.
Modern Comforts: While vintage in style, the X-100 has modern amenities for convenience: updated appliances, laundry facilities, and energy-efficient updates. Its fully furnished turnkey condition and high-touch maintenance mean you can move in without delay.
How It Lives – Daily Lifestyle
Living in the Eichler X-100 is like residing in a museum of modern design that’s eminently livable. The 2,190-square-foot layout feels larger thanks to its open configuration and the extension of sight-lines to the hills. With glass on all sides, natural light floods in – morning sun greets you through the western windows, and sunset views sweep across the San Francisco watersheds. Sliding doors on three sides allow the fresh air and gardens to be part of everyday life. Imagine casual al fresco dinners on the patio, seamlessly accessing the kitchen through wide openings; or children playing under the eucalyptus trees in full view from the living room.
The flow of spaces is ideal for entertaining: two distinct living/family areas can host large gatherings, and each spills out to its own outdoor courtyard. Indoors, the wide hallway and living areas can accommodate furniture or conversation nooks without feeling cramped – every seating area has sky overhead through the translucent skylights. At the end of the day, bedrooms enjoy separation and privacy: the master suite, with glass doors to the rear patio, is a retreat, while two guest bedrooms share access to a garden courtyard (perfect for a home office or art studio bathed in northern light).
Privacy is enhanced by the home’s hillside setting and landscaping. Mature Douglas fir and redwood plantings (from the original Eichler site plan by Douglas Baylis) screen neighbors. Yet the house never feels closed off: from inside one can see the rolling ridge lines of the Coastal Range to the west. For the architecture aficionado, this home offers an experiential daily connection to design history. For the Silicon Valley professional, it offers a unique sanctuary right off Highway 280 – a place to recharge after a day at work in a serene, thoughtfully crafted environment.
In short, the Eichler X-100 is ideal for a discerning buyer who values authentic mid-century architecture, modern functionality, and indoor-outdoor living. Whether you’re a tech executive enamored of Eichler’s legacy, a design curator seeking a statement home, or a family wanting an inspiring daily environment, this property delivers on every level.
San Mateo Highlands Neighborhood
San Mateo Highlands (Baywood Park) is a picturesque hillside enclave known for its mid-century Eichlers, open space and privacy. The X-100 sits on a leafy street in this small San Mateo community. The Highlands feel tucked-away: winding roads climb above Redwood City and Foster City, offering tranquility and sweeping views of the crystal-clear reservoirs below. Yet the location is surprisingly convenient. Highway 280 lies minutes away, whisking commuters north to San Francisco or south to Stanford, Palo Alto and Mountain View. (Caltrain is also within easy reach at Hillsdale or Redwood City stations.)
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the proximity to open-space trails. For example, the famous Sawyer Camp Trail (Crystal Springs Regional Trail) is just minutes down the hill, offering 6+ miles of paved, bay-front bicycling and hiking with towering redwoods and reservoir vistas. Nearby parks include Coyote Point (bayfront trails and a beach), Edgewood Park (redwood canyons), and Seal Point (lagoon walks). Closer in town, downtown San Mateo and Burlingame are 5–10 minutes away, with a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants and the modern Hillsdale Shopping Center (with its Apple store and Cinepolis theater). In other words, you enjoy a retreat-like setting without sacrificing access to Silicon Valley workplaces or Peninsula amenities.
The overall lifestyle here is family-friendly and upscale. Streets in Baywood Park and Crestmoor (adjacent neighborhoods) are quiet and well-maintained. Neighbors include long-time Eichler owners and newer buyers drawn to historic homes. Community events and local trails make it easy to meet fellow nature and design lovers. As one Silicon Valley blogger notes, San Mateo offers “central Peninsula access to both San Francisco and Silicon Valley”, along with strong parks and a “walkable downtown”. In short, the Highlands deliver the best of both worlds: a mid-century modern haven that’s still only a stone’s throw from tech’s epicenter.
Schools
This home lies within the San Mateo-Foster City School District for K–8 education, and the San Mateo Union High School District for high school. Children here attend Highlands Elementary School (K–5) and Borel Middle School (6–8), both part of the respected San Mateo–Foster City district. For high school, the assigned campus is Aragon High School(San Mateo Union HSD). (Aragon ranks among the top Bay Area public high schools.) These neighborhood schools are well-regarded, reflecting the family-friendly nature of the area. Buyers are encouraged to verify current school boundaries and enrollment options, but are assured that they will find strong public education options and convenient proximity to campuses (all are just a few miles away).
The Boyenga Team at Compass
Market-leading expertise makes the difference when buying or selling an architectural treasure like the X-100. That’s where the Boyenga Team comes in. Eric and Janelle Boyenga – founding partners of Compass Silicon Valley – have been guiding clients in our region since 1996. They are widely recognized as the Bay Area’s specialists in Eichler and Mid-Century Modern homes, as well as luxury and custom estates. The Boyenga Team’s deep local knowledge, analytical approach and innovative marketing have earned them top producer awards (WSJ Top 100 Teams nationwide) and a loyal following.
Through their full-service, high-touch approach, the Boyengas ensure every detail is handled – from home staging (they are accredited staging professionals) to concierge renovation services, sophisticated digital promotion and off-market selling options via Compass Private Exclusives. They speak the language of architecture and Silicon Valley alike, delivering “elevated storytelling and digital precision” to attract the ideal buyer. Yet they remain trusted advisors, known for honesty and client focus (as client testimonials attest). In short, the Boyenga Team combines proven marketing strategies and unmatched Eichler expertise to maximize results – whether you’re buying this landmark home or selling another special property.
Schedule a Private Showing
Discover why this Eichler X-100 is truly a standout opportunity. To experience the soaring ceilings, walls of glass and sweeping views in person, contact the Boyenga Team at Compass today. We will be delighted to arrange a private showing or provide more information. Let the Boyenga Team leverage their Silicon Valley market mastery and Eichler-specialist credentials to help you seize this rare mid-century treasure.