Eichler Preservation Projects
"All things must pass. But that does not mean they have to be destroyed only a few decades after they were created. Increasingly, the houses that Eichler built are being torn down or radically remodeled in ways that leave no trace of their architectural heritage.
In recognition of this, in 2005 two Bay Area Eichler subdivisions, Green Gables and Greenmeadow, were placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. The National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic resources...
It is true that the Eichler subdivisions were "tract" housing built to sell to a middle-class market. However, that does not diminish the fact that Eichler homes were designed by world-class architects and were a bold, unique experiment designed to bring modern style to the mass housing market.
Local Eichler preservation movements have made progress in the last several years. In Cupertino, the city adopted a set of Eichler-specific guidelines to advise homeowners on remodels, though it has proved to be a battle against local development interests to maintain them. In Palo Alto, a number of neighborhoods have banned second-story additions, believing that they negatively alter the character of their neighborhoods. Eichler owners in Lucas Valley (San Rafael) and Greenmeadow (Palo Alto) have active architectural review committees that guide homeowners in remodeling their homes so that the Eichler style is preserved."
Reference: Enter the World of Eichler Design
References to Preservation Projects
Palo Alto Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines
Adopted in 2018, "The Palo Alto Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines were prepared for the City of alo Alto to serve as a voluntary project planning tool for homeowners, architects, and City staff. The document addresses values expressed by the local community and provides advice and direction for undertaking work in ways that retain the architectural character of these memorable neighborhoods." Palo Alto Eichler Neighborhood Design guidelies
Fairglen, San Jose Proposal for Historic Designation
Our neighbors on the other side of Curtner have completed their proposal for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Here is Fairglen's List of Frequently Asked Questions which describes their intent in this effort.
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Last updated 2/1/2020