Saratoga Eichler Tracts

Guide to Eichler Homes in Saratoga California

Saratoga, California is home to a small and exclusive enclave of authentic Eichler homes – mid-century modern treasures tucked into a city better known for traditional upscale residences. In the 1960s, developer Joseph Eichler brought his modernist vision to Saratoga, building a limited tract of sleek, single-story homes that contrasted sharply with the area’s ranch estates. Today, only 35 true Eichler houses exist in Saratoga eichlerhomesforsale.com, making them a rare commodity. This guide will help you identify where these authentic Eichlers are located, understand their unique architectural features, distinguish them from lookalike mid-century homes, and appreciate their significance in Saratoga’s real estate landscape.

Where to Find Saratoga’s Eichler Enclave

Saratoga’s Eichler homes are all located in one small tract officially known as “Eichler Homes of Saratoga,” built in 1964–1965. You’ll find this enclave just off Cox Avenue near Quito Road and Highway 85, in the northeast corner of Saratoga (close to West Valley College). The Eichlers are clustered on a few streets: De Havilland Drive, Shubert Drive, and Columbine Court. De Havilland Drive loops through the neighborhood and, along with adjoining Shubert and the cul-de-sac Columbine, contains all the Eichler properties. Originally, Eichler planned 47 homes here, but only 35 were completed (his company hit financial troubles in the mid-1960s). This makes Saratoga’s Eichler tract the only development in the city built by Eichler’s company, and notably the only tract ever to bear Eichler’s name. In fact, Eichler was so proud of these homes that he simply named the subdivision “Eichler Homes of Saratoga” – the first and only time an Eichler tract carried his name.

Geographically, this Eichler pocket is sometimes referred to by local realtors as the “De Havilland – Cox” neighborhood, referencing its main street and the bordering Cox Avenue. A small creek runs behind some of the properties, and there are even a pair of stately olive trees at the tract’s entrance – original landscape features acting as “sentries” marking this unique mid-century haven. Use these cues to know you’ve arrived: the neighborhood entrance on De Havilland Drive is subtly marked by those olive trees and an immediate change in architecture from surrounding ranch homes to flat-roofed modern silhouettes. Despite being near a freeway (Hwy 85), the enclave feels tucked away. It’s “nestled” off the main roads, offering quiet, low-traffic streets – truly a hidden gem for mid-century modern enthusiasts.

Architectural Hallmarks of Saratoga Eichlers

Each Saratoga Eichler home embodies the classic mid-century modern features that Joseph Eichler popularized, while also reflecting some upscale touches due to the area’s expectations. Here are the defining architectural hallmarks of authentic Eichler homes in Saratoga:

• Post-and-Beam Construction: Exposed post-and-beam framing supports broad, open interiors without the need for many interior walls eichlerhomesforsale.com. This not only allowed Eichler to create soaring ceilings and open floor plans, but it’s also visible in the home’s aesthetic – you can often see the beams extending to the exterior, emphasizing horizontal lines.
  
  

• Central Atrium or Courtyard: Many Saratoga Eichlers feature a signature atrium – an open-air courtyard at the heart of the home that blurs indoor and outdoor living eichlerhomesforsale.com. In authentic Eichlers, the front entry usually leads into this private atrium (often through a modest façade or fence), rather than directly into the living room. This was an Eichler innovation to bring light and nature into the center of the house. (A few models here are “gallery” layouts without open atriums, but even those emphasize indoor-outdoor connectivity through patios and glass.)

• Floor-to-Ceiling Glass Walls: Eichler homes are famous for their walls of glass. In Saratoga, you’ll see floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors that flood the interiors with natural light and provide views of the yard or atrium eichlerhomesforsale.com. From the street, authentic Eichlers often have minimal front windows (for privacy), but the rear and atrium sides are lined with expansive glass panels that invite the outdoors inside.

• Low-Pitched or Flat Roofs: The rooflines in this tract are characteristically flat or low-pitched, with broad eaves and clean, horizontal profiles eichlerhomesforsale.com. Some models even sport dramatic peaked A-frame roofs over the entry or living area, adding visual interest. Overall, there are no steep gables or ornate roof details – the simplicity of the roof is a giveaway of Eichler design. Many Saratoga Eichlers have striking folded plate or A-framed roof segments that were modern for their time, yet still keep a low profile relative to traditional homes.

• Vertical Wood Siding and Natural Materials: True Eichlers have a distinctive siding – often vertical grooved wood or mahogany paneling – and generally lack brick or stone on the façade (unless added later). The material palette is natural: wood, glass, and concrete slab foundation. In Saratoga, many original exteriors remain wood-clad and painted in mid-century palettes (earthy or neutral tones). Interiors famously featured Philippine mahogany wall panels and tongue-and-groove wood ceilings, which many homeowners proudly preserve or refinish.

• Radiant Heated Slab Floors: A classic Eichler innovation was to use in-floor radiant heating. Saratoga Eichlers were built on concrete slabs with hot water piping embedded to gently heat the home from the floor up eichlerhomesforsale.com. While not visible, this feature affects the feel of the house (warm floors, no clunky wall furnaces). Many authentic Eichlers still have their radiant heat (some updated over time), whereas non-Eichler mid-century homes in the area might have had conventional heating systems.

• Integration with Nature: Eichler homes were designed to integrate with their environment. In this tract, houses often back up to natural creekbeds or feature internal gardens. Large glass allows views of landscaped atriums and yards, and even the garage placement (usually front-facing and modest) is designed so that the living spaces can open to private outdoor areas in back. Eichler’s original landscape concepts (like those olive trees at the entrance) encouraged a unified, modern neighborhood feel.

A classic Eichler facade in Saratoga, showcasing the modest street presence and mid-century lines. Note the flat roof and unassuming front: the entry is set behind a partial fence with frosted glass, hinting at a private atrium inside. True Eichlers often present a clean, horizontal profile to the street with minimal ornamentation, focusing attention on the open, glass-filled spaces at the rear of the home.

Notably, the Saratoga Eichlers are larger and more luxurious than many earlier Eichler developments. Most are 4-bedroom, single-story homes (some even had optional 5-bedroom layouts) and range roughly 2,100 to 2,800 sq ft of living space eichlerhomesforsale.com – quite generous for mid-century tract homes. They sit on spacious lots (around 11,000–14,000 sq ft), which is significantly larger than lot sizes in Eichler neighborhoods like Palo Alto or Sunnyvale eichlerhomesforsale.com. Eichler tailored these models to an upscale market: in fact, Claude Oakland, one of Eichler’s principal architects, was the lead designer for this tract eichlerhomesforsale.com. Oakland’s designs here married Eichler’s modernist ideals with Saratoga’s affluent tastes – resulting in some of the “grandest” Eichler plans built. For example, one unique model by Oakland in Saratoga features an atrium completely enclosed by glass on all four sides, not as an entry courtyard but as an interior garden room surrounded by living space. This innovative layout (essentially a glass-walled indoor atrium) is rarely seen outside this tract, underscoring how special these Saratoga Eichlers are.

Another deluxe touch: swimming pools. Several Saratoga Eichler properties boast backyard pools – and one even was built with an indoor swimming pool under a high ceiling on Shubert Drive. An indoor pool is an extremely uncommon luxury in Eichler homes. This speaks to the original buyer profile of the neighborhood: upper-middle-class families in the mid-60s looking for modern style with Saratoga cachet. All these features make the Eichler Homes of Saratoga a truly distinctive field of mid-century architecture.

Indoor-outdoor living at its finest: a Saratoga Eichler backyard with a pool, expansive glass walls, and post-and-beam construction visible. Eichler homes emphasize a seamless flow between inside and outside – here the floor-to-ceiling glass in the living areas opens up to the patio and pool, creating one continuous space for family life and entertaining. This exemplifies Joseph Eichler’s vision of bringing modern California living into suburban homes, with private outdoor oases like this complementing the open interiors.eichlerhomesforsale.com

True Eichlers vs. Lookalike Mid-Century Moderns

Because Eichler’s designs were so influential, other mid-century modern homes in Saratoga (and surrounding areas) can sometimes be mistaken for Eichlers. If you’re hunting for an authentic Eichler in Saratoga, it’s important to know how to distinguish the real ones from the lookalikes or other modern-style homes of the era. Here are some tips and local examples to help you tell them apart:

• Location and Tract: The simplest clue is location. All genuine Saratoga Eichler houses are on De Havilland Dr, Shubert Dr, or Columbine Ct in that Cox Avenue tract. If you find a mid-century modern home elsewhere in Saratoga, it is likely not an Eichler. For instance, a notable modern ranch house at 13831 Quito Road (built in 1953) was described by agents as “Eichler-esque”eichlerhomesforsale.com – it has open-beam ceilings and big windows, but it’s outside the Eichler tract and predates Eichler’s development there. In short, if the home’s address isn’t in the known Eichler enclave, it’s probably a custom or another builder’s work.

• Architect/Builder Lineage: Eichler homes were built by Joseph Eichler’s company (Eichler Homes, Inc.) and designed by Eichler’s architects (like Anshen & Allen, Jones & Emmons, Claude Oakland, etc.). Lookalike homes may have been designed by talented mid-century architects but not for Eichler. A great example is Saratoga’s “Peremont” enclave near Montpere Way and Aspesi Drive. This small 36-home subdivision (built 1954–55) was designed by Anshen & Allen – the same architects who did many early Eichlers – but it was developed by a different builder. The Peremont houses are truly mid-century modern gems (they even feature Eichler-like attributes such as post-and-beam construction, radiant floor heating, and extensive glass eichlerhomesforsale.com) yet they are not Eichler tract homes. In fact, one of them was the first mid-century modern home ever added to Saratoga’s official Heritage Registry in recognition of its architectural importance. So, while architecturally they resemble Eichlers, their historical pedigree is different.

• Atrium and Floor Plan: Eichlers almost always have an atrium or at least a very distinct entry layout. If you step through the front door of a true Eichler, you’ll often find yourself in an open-air atrium or a foyer facing a wall of glass to the backyard – not immediately in the living room as in most traditional homes. Many Eichler-inspired homes built by others do not have a full atrium. For example, the Eichler-esque ranch on Quito Road mentioned above is a modest 3-bed/1-bath; it has vaulted ceilings and glass, but no central atrium and a much smaller footprint eichlerhomesforsale.com. The presence of that signature atrium (and how the spaces are arranged around it) is a strong indicator of an authentic Eichler design.

• Exterior Appearance and Roof Details: Authentic Eichlers have certain external cues: minimal street-facing windows, often just high clerestory windows and a solid façade or carport door for privacy. The front entry is usually recessed or behind a partial wall/fence, rather than a prominent front porch. Many other mid-century homes (even those with modern styling) still have a conventional front porch or more street-facing fenestration. Also, Eichler roofs are typically flat or nearly flat over the living areas, sometimes with a gentle slope. If you see a mid-century home with a more conventional pitched roof or attic vent grilles on the facade, it may not be an Eichler. (Notably, the Peremont homes by Anshen & Allen in Saratoga also have flat/low-pitch roofs and look quite Eichler-like from a satellite view – a testament to how closely they emulated Eichler’s style. But again, check the street – Montpere Way vs. De Havilland Drive – to know the difference.)

• Interior Finishes: While harder to verify from the outside, true Eichlers originally came with certain interior features like Philippine mahogany wall paneling, globe pendant lights, and slide-open kitchen skylights. Many Saratoga Eichler owners have preserved these touches or restored them, given the pride in the neighborhood eichlerhomesforsale.com. If you tour an Eichler and see original unpainted wood walls or globe lights, it’s a good sign. By contrast, a lookalike mid-century home might have open beam ceilings but drywall instead of wood paneling, or other builder-specific finishes. Of course, after 50+ years, remodels can blur these clues (some Eichlers have been updated with all-white interiors, while some non-Eichlers might imitate Eichler finishes), so consider multiple factors together.

In Saratoga, aside from the one Eichler tract, the other mid-century modern houses (like those in the Peremont/Montpere Way area or a few scattered on Quito Road, Aspesi Drive, etc.) are one-of-a-kind or small clusters. They “reflect mid-century styling” and some were even designed by Eichler’s architects, but they remain “Eichler-inspired” rather than true Eichlers eichlerhomesforsale.com. Being aware of the street location, presence of an atrium, and architectural lineage will help you confidently distinguish an authentic Eichler home from other MCM (mid-century modern) cousins.

Scarcity and Significance in Saratoga’s Housing Market

Authentic Eichler homes are exceptionally scarce in Saratoga, which is a big part of their appeal and significance. Unlike cities such as Palo Alto or Sunnyvale – which have hundreds or even thousands of Eichler houses – Saratoga has just this one small Eichler enclave (~35 homes) amidst its sea of large ranch houses, estates, and modern mansions eichlerhomesforsale.com. This rarity means that Eichler homes in Saratoga stand out as architectural jewels in the local market. They represent a “little time capsule of 1960s California modernism” – a slice of mid-century design history unexpectedly nestled in an upscale Silicon Valley suburb eichlerhomesforsale.com.

The homeowners in this Eichler tract have shown remarkable dedication to preserving the Eichler aesthetic. Over the decades, very few of the Saratoga Eichlers have been significantly altered or torn down – out of 35, only two houses no longer fully count as Eichlers, and one of those is actually being rebuilt in a more Eichler-accurate style by a preservation-minded architect. In other words, nearly all of the Eichler homes remain intact as mid-century modern originals (at least in outward appearance), which is increasingly rare in California’s hot real estate market. This preservation ethos has kept the neighborhood’s architectural character cohesive. Longtime residents speak of being “a strong Eichler enclave that wants to preserve the Eichlers”, resisting trends to add second stories or drastic remodels that have affected Eichler communities elsewhere. Saratoga’s Eichler owners indeed take pride in their homes’ heritage – evidenced by one Saratoga Eichler even becoming the first Eichler in the city to be listed on Saratoga’s Heritage Inventory (historic registry) a few years ago. Owning one of these homes is not just buying real estate; it’s becoming a steward of an architectural legacy.

From a design standpoint, the significance is also profound. These homes were among the last Eichler developments in Silicon Valley – they encapsulate the evolution of Eichler’s style (with those larger floor plans and dramatic rooflines) and his unwavering commitment to modern architecture for the masses. They also reflect Eichler’s social vision: like all Eichler tracts, this Saratoga enclave was built without racial covenants, open to any buyer – a bold stance in the 1960s eichlerhomesforsale.com. Thus, the Eichlers of Saratoga symbolize both architectural innovation and progressive values in a town known for tradition. It’s a contrast many find fascinating: amidst Saratoga’s vineyards, Victorian-influenced custom homes, and country estates sits this pocket of iconic mid-century modern design. For architecture buffs, discovering Eichler’s atrium houses in Saratoga is a delightful surprise, and for those lucky enough to live in one, it’s a point of pride and conversation that “Yes, this is an Eichler – in Saratoga!”

Real Estate Market Insights: Value and Trends

In Saratoga’s high-end real estate market, Eichler homes have become coveted rarities. Their scarcity and architectural pedigree contribute to strong demand and premium prices whenever one becomes available. In recent years, authentic Eichlers in Saratoga have typically sold in roughly the $2.5 to $4 million range eichlerhomesforsale.com, placing them at the upper end of mid-century home values in the Bay Area. Several factors drive this: the homes are relatively large, on generous lots, in a city with top-notch schools and prestige – and there are so few of them that competition is fierce. Eichler enthusiasts, design-oriented buyers, and traditional luxury-home seekers (drawn by Saratoga’s reputation) all overlap on these properties, often leading to multiple-offer situations. For example, one Eichler on Columbine Court (a 4-bedroom model) sold in late 2024 for about $3.68 million, well above asking, due to heavy interest eichlerhomesforsale.com. Even smaller mid-century homes nearby that aren’t true Eichlers have fetched impressive prices – a 3-bedroom Anshen & Allen-designed modern ranch on Montpere Way sold for $2.4M in 2025, and a thoughtfully remodeled MCM ranch on Quito Road sold for about $3.08M eichlerhomesforsale.com. These numbers underscore that mid-century design + Saratoga location = high value in today’s market.

Inventory is a major challenge. With only 35 Eichlers in town (and owners who tend to hold them long-term), years might go by with zero Eichlers on the market eichlerhomesforsale.com. Turnover is low. Many current owners have been in their Eichlers for decades, and when sales do happen, they’re quick. Saratoga’s strict growth controls and low housing turnover mean all homes in the city are relatively scarce, but the Eichlers even more so. This limited supply, combined with steady demand, has kept Eichler values strong even through market fluctuations. By 2025, Saratoga Eichlers were commanding around $1,200–$1,700 per square foot, depending on condition and lot, which is higher than comparable Eichlers in less exclusive locations eichlerhomesforsale.com. In essence, a Saratoga Eichler is viewed as a luxury home – not just a mid-century tract house – because it offers both the design pedigree and the Saratoga address. As one Eichler market specialist put it, Saratoga Eichlers “are highly sought after in Silicon Valley’s competitive real estate market” due to their rarity and design appeal eichlerhomesforsale.com.

Another trend worth noting is the premium on condition and authenticity. Well-preserved Eichlers – those retaining original elements like mahogany paneling, open-hearth brick fireplaces, or unaltered layouts – tend to fetch the highest prices, especially if paired with tasteful modern upgrades (updated kitchens, upgraded heating, etc.) that don’t compromise the home’s character eichlerhomesforsale.com. Eichler aficionados will pay a premium for a “time-capsule” Eichler that’s been lovingly maintained. Conversely, even a fixer-upper Eichler will attract significant interest, as some buyers are eager to restore these homes to their mid-century glory (for example, restoring the 1960s globe light fixtures or rebuilding Eichler-style fences that previous owners removed) eichlerhomesforsale.com. Saratoga’s Eichler neighborhood has seen both approaches: some homes now boast modern amenities like solar panels, foam roof insulation, or double-pane glass (making them more energy-efficient for the 21st century), while others have been restored to highlight original 1960s materials. Both types tend to sell quickly – the turnkey renovated Eichlers appeal to those who want modern comfort with vintage style, and the more original ones attract the purists and architects who crave an untouched Eichler to personalize.

For sellers of Eichlers, this all means significant equity and eager buyers. For buyers, it means you must be prepared to act fast and often face steep competition. It’s not uncommon for a Saratoga Eichler to sell off-market or within just days of listing. In fact, local Eichler-focused realtors frequently maintain waiting lists of interested buyers, and some Eichler homes change hands privately before ever hitting the MLSeichlerhomesforsale.com. This leads to our final section – how you can stay ahead of the curve if you’re looking to snag one of these rare homes.

How to Secure an Eichler: Alerts and Opportunities

Given the ultra-low inventory and high demand for Eichler homes in Saratoga, the best strategy for prospective buyers is to stay plugged in to any Eichler coming up for sale – sometimes even before it officially hits the market. It’s highly recommended to sign up for off-market alerts and exclusive Eichler opportunity notifications through realtors or networks that specialize in Eichler and mid-century modern properties. Many Eichler experts offer email lists or buyer alerts; by joining one, you’ll receive a heads-up if a Saratoga Eichler is coming available. This can give you a crucial edge, as you might learn about a listing in advance or be invited to a private showing.

In practical terms, connect with an Eichler-specialist agent or mid-century home community. They often know the owners and get insider information. Some agents have even been known to door-knock the neighborhood to find homeowners willing to sell to their waiting buyers. By expressing your interest and signing up for their “Eichler watch list,” you ensure you won’t miss out on a potential opportunity. In a market where an Eichler might only hit the market once in a blue moon, this kind of alert system is invaluable. Additionally, attend mid-century modern home tours or Eichler Network events in the Bay Area – networking with other enthusiasts can sometimes lead to referral opportunities for homes before they’re public.

Finally, when an Eichler does become available, be ready to act decisively. Have your financing in order and be prepared for competitive bidding. These homes inspire passion, so you may be up against not only conventional buyers but also architects, designers, or tech executives with a love for Eichler’s architecture. A strong offer with as few contingencies as possible will make you stand out. And if you’re not already on an alert list, consider this your call-to-action: Sign up for exclusive Eichler alerts with a local expert so you can be first in line when the next Saratoga Eichler whispers onto the market. With patience, persistence, and the right resources, you just might join the fortunate ranks of Saratoga’s Eichler owners – and own a piece of California modernist history.