Sunnyvale’s Best Eichler Neighborhoods: Mid-Century Modern Gems in Silicon Valley
Sunnyvale, California is a treasure trove for mid-century modern architecture enthusiasts. In fact, with around 1,100 Eichler homes across 16 subdivisions, Sunnyvale boasts the Bay Area’s second-largest concentration of Joseph Eichler’s iconic residences (trailing only Palo Alto). Built between the late 1940s and early 1970s, these neighborhoods showcase Eichler’s visionary design philosophy: single-story, post-and-beam homes with open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and seamless indoor-outdoor living boyengarealestateteam.com. The city of Sunnyvale has even enacted special Eichler design guidelines and single-story zoning overlays to preserve the character of these mid-century enclaves. Below we explore the best Eichler neighborhoods in Sunnyvale – from Fairorchard and Fairbrae to Cherry Chase, Rancho Verde, and Fairwood – highlighting their unique design features, historical context, community feel, and lifestyle perks. Whether you’re an architecture aficionado or a real estate-savvy buyer, these neighborhoods offer an authentic “California Modern” lifestyle in the heart of Silicon Valley.
1. Fairorchard – Eichler’s First Sunnyvale Enclave (1954)
Fairorchard holds the honor of being Joseph Eichler’s first project in Sunnyvale. This intimate tract was built in 1954 in the city’s southwest corner and set the stage for Eichler’s expansion in the region. Fairorchard introduced 54 Eichler homes along Wright Avenue, Edmonton Avenue, Helena Drive, La Salle Drive and nearby Homestead Road boyengarealestateteam.com. These early models were larger than Eichler’s prior designs and were among the first to incorporate both open-air courtyards and early atriums – hinting at features that would later become Eichler trademarks boyengarealestateteam.com. Every house in Fairorchard is single-story and post-and-beam, with the clean lines of low-pitched roofs and minimalist facades that give each home a unique personality despite the tract’s cohesive look boyengarealestateteam.com.
Eichler Count & Layout: 54 mid-century modern homes built in 1954, featuring 3–4 bedrooms (~1,370–1,890 sq ft) in both courtyard and atrium layouts boyengarealestateteam.com. These houses were ahead of their time, offering open-plan living areas and walls of glass oriented toward private backyards.
Location: Tucked near the Los Altos border in southwest Sunnyvale, Fairorchard’s streets (Wright, Edmonton, Helena, La Salle) form quiet loops and cul-de-sacs off Homestead Road boyengarealestateteam.com. The neighborhood feeds into top-rated schools – West Valley Elementary, Cupertino Middle, and Homestead High – which continue to draw families to the area boyengarealestateteam.com. Parks like Ortega Park and Serra Park are close by, yet the tract itself remains peaceful and residential.
Design & Character: Fairorchard homes exemplify mid-1950s Eichler design: flat or gently sloped roofs, vertical grooved wood siding, and modest street facades with most windows facing the backyard. Notably, this tract was a proving ground for Eichler’s indoor-outdoor concept – several houses feature open-air central courtyards or atrium-like entry gardens, a bold innovation at the time boyengarealestateteam.com. Eichler (with architects like Anshen & Allen and Jones & Emmons) ensured no two homes were identical, varying garage placements, entry orientations, and facade details to avoid the cookie-cutter look prevalent in other 1950s suburbs boyengarealestateteam.com.
Community Vibe & Preservation: With only 54 homes, Fairorchard has a tight-knit, almost “small town” feel. Many properties are still held by long-time owners or even the original families, so neighbors often know each other and turnover is low boyengarealestateteam.com. There’s a pride of ownership here – it’s common to find homes with original Philippine mahogany wall panels, globe pendant lights, and intact radiant heating as owners lovingly maintain mid-century features boyengarealestateteam.com. Tasteful renovations happen, but usually in line with Eichler’s aesthetic (for example, updated kitchens that respect the open-plan layout and modernist style). Fairorchard residents were among those who pushed for Sunnyvale’s Eichler-specific zoning rules, helping protect the tract from incompatible McMansions. Fun fact: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak grew up in a Fairorchard Eichler on Edmonton Avenue, a bit of local lore that underscores how Eichler neighborhoods attracted tech innovators even back in the 1950s boyengarealestateteam.com.
2. Fairbrae – The Quintessential Sunnyvale Eichler Enclave (1958–1960)
A classic Eichler home in Sunnyvale’s Fairbrae tract, exemplifying mid-century modern style with its low-slung roof, broad eaves, and walls of glass. Fairbrae’s wide, tree-lined streets are filled with these post-and-beam gems, many centered around open-air atriums or courtyards.
If one neighborhood embodies Sunnyvale’s Eichler legacy, it’s Fairbrae. Developed on former orchards in the late 1950s, Fairbrae was Eichler’s grand statement in Sunnyvale – and remains the city’s largest Eichler enclave. The initial Fairbrae tract (built 1958–59) included 78 Eichler homes on streets like Pome and Quince Avenues, Sheraton Drive, Pulora Court, and Hollenbeck Avenue boyengarealestateteam.com. Eichler aimed slightly upmarket here, with many expansive L-shaped courtyard model homes that wrapped around private patios for enhanced indoor-outdoor living boyengarealestateteam.com. In 1959–60, Eichler massively expanded the neighborhood with the Fairbrae Addition, constructing 275 more Eichler homes on numerous new cul-de-sacs – Sesame Drive/Court, Templeton, Torrington, Strawberry, Sage, and more boyengarealestateteam.com. This brought Fairbrae’s total to over 350 Eichler houses, a concentration that gives the area a truly immersive mid-century modern atmosphere boyengarealestateteam.com.
Scale & Consistency: With roughly 350 homes, Fairbrae is Sunnyvale’s largest Eichler development boyengarealestateteam.com. Every house in the 1959–60 Addition was built as a 4-bedroom, 2-bath single-story (either atrium model or U-shaped courtyard), which lends the tract a remarkable consistency in scale and function boyengarealestateteam.com. Designed by Eichler’s go-to architects (Jones & Emmons and Claude Oakland in this period), the homes showcase classic Eichler elements: post-and-beam construction, tongue-and-groove wood ceilings, broad A-frame or low-gabled roofs with deep eaves, and floor-to-ceiling glass panels opening to backyards or atriums boyengarealestateteam.com. Strolling through Fairbrae feels like walking back in time – the houses sport period touches like paneled walls and globe entry lights, so emblematic that many consider Fairbrae the quintessential Eichler neighborhood boyengarealestateteam.com.
Location & Lifestyle Perks: Fairbrae sits in central-west Sunnyvale, offering suburban tranquility with convenient access to amenities. De Anza Park (with playgrounds and picnic areas) is just a few blocks away, and the Sunnyvale Community Center is nearby for cultural and recreational programs boyengarealestateteam.com. Commuters have easy access to Fremont Avenue and Highway 85, and downtown Sunnyvale is a short drive. Families are drawn to the excellent schools serving Fairbrae: Cherry Chase Elementary (a highly regarded school), Sunnyvale Middle, and Homestead High boyengarealestateteam.com. One of Fairbrae’s defining features is the Fairbrae Swim & Racquet Club, a private neighborhood club built when the homes were new boyengarealestateteam.com. Residents can join this club (located right within the tract) to enjoy a community swimming pool, tennis courts, and seasonal social events – a unique amenity that fosters a tight-knit community bond boyengarealestateteam.com. Summers in Fairbrae often revolve around swim team meets and neighborhood barbecues at the club.
Community & Preservation: Fairbrae has an active, family-friendly vibe with a proud sense of identity. Original 1960s owners and newer tech professionals mingle at block parties and holiday events, maintaining traditions that keep the community close boyengarealestateteam.com. There’s a collective commitment to preserving Fairbrae’s mid-century charm – in fact, Fairbrae residents were among the first to lobby Sunnyvale for single-story overlay zoning and Eichler design guidelines, ensuring no towering rebuilds or incongruous renovations disrupt the Eichler streetscape boyengarealestateteam.com. Thanks to these efforts, Fairbrae enjoys a city-imposed one-story height limit and architectural guidelines that protect its character and property values. Homes here are highly sought-after; it’s common for Eichler enthusiasts and young families alike to compete for any listing in Fairbrae. Prices typically range from the low $2 millions upward, reflecting the neighborhood’s enduring desirability (with well-preserved Eichlers commanding premium prices) boyengarealestateteam.com. But for those lucky enough to live in Fairbrae, the investment is about more than a house – it’s about joining a community that truly “gets” the mid-century modern lifestyle.
3. Rancho Verde – Wide-Lot Eichlers with a 1960s Flair (1960–1962)
On Sunnyvale’s central-west side, the Rancho Verde area offers another prized Eichler pocket that emerged in the early 1960s. This neighborhood actually consists of two adjoining tracts – Rancho Verde (built in 1960) and Rancho Verde Addition (built in 1962) – which together added about 180 Eichler homes to Sunnyvale’s landscape eichlerhomesforsale.com. Centered roughly around Mary Avenue and streets like Ticonderoga Drive, Trenton Drive, Sherwood Avenue, Plum Avenue and their courts, Rancho Verde is known for its generous lot sizes and broad frontages. Eichler continued his modernist idiom here (expect the usual open atriums, glass walls, and post-and-beam construction), but also debuted some new design ideas that set Rancho Verde apart from earlier tracts eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Architectural Highlights: Rancho Verde homes feature the hallmark Eichler traits – atrium entries or courtyards, open-beam ceilings, and huge glass panels framing views of the yard – but they also showcase Eichler’s evolution in design. The 1962 Addition was the first tract to introduce the innovative “Gallery” model Eichlers designed by architect Claude Oakland eichlerhomesforsale.com. These models include a distinctive long gallery hallway, signaling Eichler’s shift toward larger, more custom-feeling layouts in the ’60s eichlerhomesforsale.com. Visually, Rancho Verde displays a mix of roof profiles: from flat and modestly pitched roofs to a few dramatic peaked double A-frame facades (twin gables forming a high atrium entrance) that enthusiasts especially prize eichlerhomesforsale.com. This variety of silhouettes – all still within the one-story modern aesthetic – gives the neighborhood extra curb appeal.
Lifestyle & Setting: With its quiet cul-de-sacs and wider lots, Rancho Verde has a slightly more spacious, tucked-away ambiance. Many homes sit back from the street with broad front yards, often adorned by mid-century landscaping and mature trees. The community vibe here is peaceful and neighborly – kids can often be seen playing on the low-traffic streets, and neighbors chat during evening strolls. While primarily residential, the area isn’t far from conveniences: Las Palmas Park and Serra Park are a quick drive for outdoor recreation, and the shops and restaurants along El Camino Real and Fremont Avenue are accessible for everyday needs. The neighborhood feeds into excellent schools (typically Cumberland or Cherry Chase Elementary, Sunnyvale Middle, and Fremont or Homestead High), adding to its appeal for families.
Market & Preservation: Rancho Verde Eichlers tend to be cherished by their owners, and it shows – many retain original features like mahogany paneling, brick fireplaces, and the distinctive Eichler windows. A number of homes have been thoughtfully updated (kitchen remodels, dual-pane glass, etc.) but generally in a way that respects the mid-century style. Like other Eichler areas, residents here joined the movement to establish single-story overlay zoning in the mid-2010s, protecting the tract from two-story rebuilds and ensuring the classic low-profile skyline remains intact. As a result, Rancho Verde feels like a time capsule of 1960s California Modernism – a place where the architecture and atmosphere have been preserved much as they were six decades ago. Real estate turnover is relatively low; when these homes do hit the market, they attract significant interest from Eichler aficionados. The combination of mid-century charm, larger lots, and a central Silicon Valley location makes Rancho Verde a perennial favorite among Sunnyvale’s Eichler neighborhoods.
4. Cherry Chase – Mid-Century Charm with Eichler Pockets (1950s–1960s)
Cherry Chase is a beloved Sunnyvale neighborhood that offers mid-century neighborhood charm, complete with a sprinkling of Eichler homes. Unlike the other areas on this list, Cherry Chase isn’t a single Eichler tract developed by Joe Eichler, but rather a larger residential district where Eichler’s homes are woven into the fabric. The neighborhood is bounded roughly by El Camino Real to the north, Fremont Avenue to the south, Hollenbeck Avenue to the east, and Highway 85 to the west boyengarealestateteam.com. Within these bounds are over 2,400 homes built in the mid-1950s through mid-1960s, making Cherry Chase one of Santa Clara County’s largest concentrations of mid-century ranch-style houses boyengarealestateteam.com. Eichler’s contribution to Cherry Chase came around 1961, when he built a few select clusters of atrium-model Eichler homes (often in courts or cul-de-sacs) tucked among houses by other builders boyengarealestateteam.com. Each Eichler pocket might be a cluster of a few dozen homes, and they’re easy to spot thanks to their distinct architecture – single-story with nearly flat roofs, open-air atriums, and expanses of glass – standing out amid the more traditional ranchers boyengarealestateteam.com.
Neighborhood Fabric: Rather than being an exclusively Eichler tract, Cherry Chase is a mix of mid-century homes. Many streets are lined with classic California ranch houses (built by firms like American Housing Guild or Brown & Kaufmann), but then you’ll come upon an Eichler court with its trademark modernist look boyengarealestateteam.com. This blend gives Cherry Chase a unique character: it’s a 1950s time-capsule neighborhood with variety, yet there’s a cohesive feel thanks to the consistent era and single-story scale of all the homes. The Eichler homes here are typically 4-bedroom, 2-bath models featuring open atrium entrances, exposed beams, and floor-to-ceiling glass that opens to the backyards boyengarealestateteam.com. Over the decades, the entire area has matured beautifully – towering camphor and fruit trees (some older than the houses themselves) now arch over many streets, and lush gardens surround the low-slung homes eichlerhomesforsale.com. Walking down a Cherry Chase street named for a fruit (Mango, Lime, Kumquat, etc., a nod to the orchards that preceded the homes) truly feels like stepping back into the Eisenhower/Kennedy era, with well-kept vintage homes and even the occasional classic car in a driveway.
Community & Lifestyle: Cherry Chase has long been highly coveted by families, largely thanks to its outstanding schools and strong community spirit. The neighborhood’s namesake Cherry Chase Elementary School is a California Distinguished School that anchors the community and draws many buyers to the area boyengarealestateteam.com. (Parts of the neighborhood also feed into top-ranked Homestead High or Fremont High – fun fact: Apple’s Steve Jobs met Steve Wozniak while both were students at Homestead High, and their early friendship traces back to this area boyengarealestateteam.com.) The community comes together at De Anza Park, an Aztec-themed park in the heart of Cherry Chase with playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas – a frequent venue for playdates and neighborhood events. On the west side, Mango Park offers tennis courts and a community pool, providing more recreational options boyengarealestateteam.com. An active Cherry Chase Neighborhood Association organizes block parties, holiday parades, and neighborhood watch programs, ensuring that even new residents quickly feel a sense of belonging eichlerhomesforsale.com. Despite its central location (with El Camino Real’s shopping and dining on the north edge, and easy access to Highways 85 and 280), the interior streets of Cherry Chase remain quiet and friendly. There’s a real pride in community here – many longtime residents (including original 1950s homeowners) join in festivities, and newcomers are welcomed into the fold.
Real Estate & Preservation: Homes in Cherry Chase command premium prices due to the trifecta of location, schools, and mid-century appeal. Eichler models, in particular, tend to sell for a premium over similar-sized conventional homes because of their architectural cachet and scarcity. In recent years, well-preserved Eichlers in Cherry Chase have often sold in the mid-to-upper $2 million range, while even the ranch homes frequently top $1.5–$2 million given the demand boyengarealestateteam.com. The neighborhood saw robust price appreciation as families who might be priced out of nearby Mountain View or Los Altos come to Cherry Chase for a slightly more affordable slice of mid-century Silicon Valley boyengarealestateteam.com. Importantly, Cherry Chase residents have been proactive in preserving the area’s character. As two-story replacement homes began to threaten the streetscape in the 2010s, the community successfully petitioned the City for single-story overlay zones in several sections – especially where Eichler pockets are concentrated – to prevent “monster” houses from looming over the classic low-profile homes boyengarealestateteam.com. The city’s Eichler design guidelines also help steer remodels toward Eichler-friendly designs. Thanks to these efforts, Cherry Chase today retains the harmonious 1950s-60s vibe that made it special, and buyers here know they’re not just purchasing a home, but joining a preserved mid-century neighborhood lifestyle.
5. Fairwood – Eichler’s Late-Model Tract with a Modern Twist (1961–1962)
On Sunnyvale’s eastern side (near Wolfe Road and Fremont Avenue) lies Fairwood, the last large Eichler tract built in the city. Constructed in 1961–62, Fairwood added 215 Eichler homes to what is now the 94087 zip code’s border with Cupertino eichlerhomesforsale.com. This neighborhood represented Eichler’s push toward higher-volume production in the early ’60s, as he attempted to bring his modern homes to even more families. Fairwood’s streets – including Mallard Road, Kingfisher Way, Dartshire Way, Carlisle Way, Dunholme Way, and others – fan out just southeast of Fremont High School. Today, Fairwood is especially popular with tech professionals, given that it’s only about a mile from Apple’s massive campus (many Fairwood residents can bike to Apple Park), while still offering the laid-back charm of an Eichler community eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Design & Features: Fairwood Eichlers carry all the hallmark traits of Joseph Eichler’s designs: post-and-beam construction, open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling glass panels facing private yards, and integrated indoor-outdoor living spaces. Many are atrium models with a central open-air courtyard, and all are single-story with a low-slung roofline. However, as one of Eichler’s later projects, Fairwood also reflected some cost-conscious adjustments. Historians note that Eichler was attempting to streamline and “shift slightly downmarket” by this time – his company was simultaneously working on ambitious (and costly) projects like high-rise apartments, and indeed Eichler Homes, Inc. went bankrupt a few years after Fairwood was completed eichlerhomesforsale.com. As a result, Fairwood homes were built with a bit more standardization and slightly simpler finishes compared to the earlier tracts eichlerhomesforsale.com. Don’t let that mislead you, though: the architecture is still striking, with plenty of glass, clean lines, and efficient use of space that feels much more contemporary than typical 1960s houses. In essence, Fairwood was Eichler’s “volume build” experiment – delivering the Eichler aesthetic at a larger scale – and these homes remain timeless in their appeal.
Community & Lifestyle: What Fairwood might lack in bespoke flourishes it more than makes up for in convenience and community. The tract is adjacent to the Birdland neighborhood and benefits from nearby amenities: Raynor Park and Serra Park are in proximity for outdoor activities, and the new Apple campus (and surrounding tech companies) provide job opportunities just minutes away. Families in Fairwood attend great local schools (parts of the area go to Cumberland Elementary or Laurelwood Elementary, with Cupertino Middle and Fremont High, depending on exact location). A number of Apple employees have purchased homes in Fairwood specifically for the chance to live in an Eichler and enjoy a short commute – a true blend of mid-century living and modern Silicon Valley life eichlerhomesforsale.com. Neighbors here, many of whom are passionate about mid-century design, often share resources on Eichler maintenance and host informal gatherings to appreciate each other’s renovations or vintage decor. There’s a sense of camaraderie among those who choose Eichler living.
Preservation Efforts: In recent years, Fairwood homeowners followed the lead of other Sunnyvale Eichler tracts by organizing to establish a single-story overlay zone for their neighborhood eichlerhomesforsale.com. This overlay was achieved, meaning new constructions or additions cannot add a second story that would tower over the classic Eichler roofs. The intent is to preserve the cohesive look and privacy of the community. Additionally, Sunnyvale’s Eichler design guidelines apply here, so when homes are remodeled, the city encourages using Eichler-compatible materials and styles (like similar roof pitches, exposed beams, etc.). These measures have helped keep Fairwood’s mid-century modern character intact. Walking through Fairwood today, you’ll still see carport facades, aggregate driveways, original globed light fixtures, and other period details proudly maintained. As one of Eichler’s last Sunnyvale ventures, Fairwood stands as a living legacy – slightly more modest in finish, perhaps, but absolutely rich in the Eichler spirit of modern living.
Embracing Sunnyvale’s Eichler Lifestyle with the Boyenga Team
Sunnyvale’s Eichler neighborhoods each offer a unique blend of historical mid-century design and modern Silicon Valley living. From Fairorchard’s pioneering homes to Fairbrae’s resort-like community feel, from Rancho Verde’s 1960s innovations to Cherry Chase’s nostalgic charm and Fairwood’s tech-proximate appeal – these enclaves demonstrate why Eichler homes are so cherished. Living in an Eichler isn’t just about the architectural style; it’s about the lifestyle of light-filled spaces, connection with nature, and friendly, active communities. Many homes in these neighborhoods have been lovingly maintained or sensitively updated, creating a vibrant patchwork of retro authenticity and contemporary comfort. And with Sunnyvale’s protective guidelines in place, new generations can continue to enjoy the iconic Eichler streetscapes for years to come.
If you’re intrigued by the prospect of owning an Eichler or selling one of these mid-century treasures, working with real estate professionals who truly understand these homes is key. The Boyenga Team – known as Silicon Valley’s Eichler and luxury home specialists – has built a proven track record with mid-century modern properties. As Eichler experts, the Boyenga Team has documented Sunnyvale’s Eichler tracts in detail and witnessed firsthand the strong demand they command eichlerhomesforsale.com. They’ve handled multiple Eichler sales (often sparking bidding frenzies that soar above neighboring market values) and have the specialized knowledge to guide buyers and sellers through the quirks of Eichler construction, restoration, and marketing eichlerhomesforsale.com. In short, they don’t just sell homes – they steward the legacy of Eichler homes in Silicon Valley.
Whether you’re an Eichler enthusiast eager to join one of these Sunnyvale communities, or a homeowner looking to pass your Eichler to the next appreciative steward, the Boyenga Team offers the expertise and passion to help you succeed. Contact the Boyenga Team today for personalized guidance on buying or selling an Eichler. With their deep understanding of mid-century modern design and the local market, you’ll be in excellent hands as you embrace the timeless appeal of Sunnyvale’s best Eichler neighborhoods.