About the Eichler Visionary:

Joseph Eichler

Joseph Eichler, a name synonymous with innovation in mid-century modern residential architecture, was not an architect but a real estate developer who democratized modernist design for the American middle class. His journey began when he moved from New York to California in the early 1940s and settled into a Usonian house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This experience living in a modernist home profoundly impacted Eichler, inspiring him to create affordable, well-designed homes that incorporated the revolutionary design elements of modern architecture which were predominantly reserved for the wealthy.

In 1949, Eichler founded Eichler Homes, Inc., and began his quest to build homes that were both architecturally significant and accessible to the average American. He collaborated with esteemed architects like Anshen and Allen, Jones & Emmons, and Claude Oakland to design neighborhoods that were progressive in both style and function. Eichler's homes were characterized by open floor plans, expansive walls of glass that blurred the indoor-outdoor boundaries, and innovative features like in-floor radiant heating—a luxury seldom found in tract housing of that era.

From 1950 to 1974, Eichler built over 11,000 homes in California, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, and a small number in New York. The locations of these homes included the South Bay, East Bay, Peninsula, Marin, and San Francisco city. These homes are celebrated for their iconic mid-century modern aesthetics and have fostered community environments that remain highly sought after. Eichler was also a pioneering advocate for fair housing, famously resigning from the National Association of Home Builders in 1958 in protest of racial discrimination policies. He promoted racially integrated neighborhoods and was willing to use his housing developments as case studies to demonstrate that such communities were viable and successful.

Joseph Eichler's legacy extends beyond the structures he built. His commitment to quality, affordability, and aesthetic excellence helped shape the architectural landscape of post-war America, proving that beauty and function could indeed go hand-in-hand and be available to all. Today, Eichler homes are celebrated for their timeless appeal and continue to attract those who appreciate the interplay of simplicity and sophistication that defines true modernist architecture. Visit www.boyengateam.com or www.eichlerhomesforsale.com and contact The Boyenga Team for more information about Joseph Eichler, Eichler Homes, and details about Joseph Eichler’s custom Eichler Home: 19 Irving Avenue.

PHONE NUMBER
650-383-8606

EMAIL
HOMES@BOYENGA.com

OPEN HOURS
8AM - 8PM

APPOINTMENT
SCHEDULE A CALL

ADDRESS
16268 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos,
CA 95032, United States

Submit A Message