New Construction Eichlers in Sunnyvale, CA!!

Looks like the typical overpriced narrow lot subdivision to me and even at that, there's no floor plans that I particularly like. I guess they wanted to inject the word 'Eichler' into the advert copy somehow hoping that generates sales.

they are all multi story with no outdoorliving :(

No elevation drawings or images. Interesting site plan.

These infill homes are going in on the site of a former nursery. Maybe the reporter got confused and was actually referring to the Bahl patio homes which are along Yukon.

http://www.bahl.com/History/Bahl_Patio_Homes/bahl_patio_homes_history_and_facts.htm

Carl K.

The ad copy used "Eichler" to refer to some Eichler-like patterns in the siding. Being a Sunnyvale resident, I visited the models for this development.
(1) Given typical restrictions of about 40% lot coverage, and the cost of land, 2-story houses are the only way to go, and not start in the $1+ million range.
(2) These houses have, what I call, condo townhouse-like backyards. Even though in the same city, they seemed to avoided the 25-feet setback from the street to which our house is subject.
(3) Eichler architecture of outdoor-in seems either dead or cost prohibitive for mass-construction - - Title 24 energy requirements and cost of large panes of double-insulated safety glass makes new construction expensive. Basically, my winter energy cost for our 1972 Eichler (w/ foam roof) is about the same as an energy efficient house in the cold Northeast that is constantly 20 degrees cooler.
(4) We just did an addition and it is remarkable contrast in engineering with that what Eichler got away with in 1972 compared to 2005. I no longer feel safe in the original house:
(i) 2005 - posts are 6 x 6 (w/ 2 x4 on the side) instead of 4 x 4 in 1972.
(ii) Unsupported beams are 8 x6 (at least) instead of 6 x 4. I'm not sure if I got the right stats, but 2005 materials are much weightier.
(iii) Much stronger for earthquake and wind (withstand 85mph) . . . the builder said to run in there when the big one hits. My neighbor's addition required several steel posts driven 6 feet in the ground. New foundations, in Sunnyvale, need to be 6 inches above ground, not the 2-3 inches in 1972.
(iv) The Eichlers with Mahogany walls are rated for 8 minutes - - they'll burn down within that time rating.
(v) And clumsy bathroom windows instead of bathroom exhaust fan in 1972 . . . Eichler's revenge on people who bath or shower daily.
Basically, we are so much in love with Eichler architecture that owning and maintaining an Eichler is at times unsafe, and always an aggrevation, somewhat like Italian sports cars which is why they are not commonly available in the US. If my Eichler burns down, I'm building a 2-story modern prefab with the insurance money.

prefab: maybe you should do the "safe thing" and sell your Eichler :wink:

I don't see much relationship to this new development and mid-century modernism at all.

Would like to sell and get a better built house, but timing is everything. Now that I ruined the architecture with an addition, my wife is willing, but Eichlers are particular sells in a normal market and in a contracting market mainly appeal to buyers who prefer a stockade look . . . like selling a car with leaky gaskets, manual everything, cheap plastics and special maintenance, but it sure looks good standing still . . .

they alway say it's 'cost prohibitive' but seems like they have plenty of money to spend on 'fancy oval tubs', crown moulding, fan windows, granite countertops and very specfic use rooms like retreats, libraries, media rooms and such-I don't think it 'cost prohibitive' so much as it's supposedly 'this is what people want' yeah right-and people want 'Vulgaria'. Home Depot has done a marvelous marketing job creating vulgar McMansions.

prefab, it sounds like you and eichlers weren't meant to be :(

Regardless of an addition, any Eichler still standing is worthy of restoration. Thankfully, many of materials of that era are still available at an acceptable price. Great reference materials (like the Eichler Network) exist to provide great information.

As for today's prefab homes, I am not sold. I have been in several new modern-like prefabs and I would not say the quality is better than a significant home built in the '50s or early '60s. Nothing is more solid than a home on a slab, and only the LV specifies a slab. and it's a dog to look at.

modfan, you're right, there is a lot of vulgarity going on at Home Depot!

It seems that even in this "cooling off" real estate climate the Eichlers for sale in Sunnyvale don't stay on the market for more than a week. Personally, I think the good reputation of the public schools has more to do with it than a particular architectural style.

you're correct, Leslie. Architectural style rarely, if ever, influences the market. Maybe a custom home, not a tract home. Real estate is about location and square footage. The nondescript ranch around the corner, designed by the builder's son, sells for the same as the Eichler.

One thing an Eichler and other mid-century modern homes does is produce a more passionate buyer, though.