Peremont Mid-Century Modern Homes

Peremont: A Mid-Century Modern Enclave in Saratoga 95070

Historical Background of the Peremont Tract

The Peremont enclave is a little-known mid-century modern neighborhood in Saratoga (ZIP 95070), near West Valley College in the Quito Road area. This tract, comprising 36 single-story homes, was developed in 1954–1955 during the postwar boom of modernist housing eichlernetwork.com. It was built by the Perego-Montgomery Development Company, a partnership that combined the names of Jackson P. Perego and a Mr. Montgomery – which is how the tract got its distinctive name “Peremont” (and its main street, Montpere Way) eichlernetwork.com. Unlike some better-known mid-century subdivisions, Peremont was not an Eichler Homes project, nor part of larger developer tracts like Mackay or Cliff May. In fact, Saratoga had no large Mackay or Cliff May developments; mid-century modern homes in the city were limited to a small Eichler tract built later (mid-1960s) and a handful of custom or small-tract projects like Peremont eichlerhomesforsale.com. Peremont stands out as an early example of modern architecture in Saratoga, predating even the Eichler-built homes in the area by nearly a decade eichlerhomesforsale.com.

From the outset, Peremont was conceived as an upscale yet accessible neighborhood embracing California’s modernist ethos. Perego-Montgomery had acquired home designs from architect Anshen & Allen, who were famous for their work on Joseph Eichler’s modern homes. Newspaper ads at the time touted the development’s “Anshen & Allen AIA Award-Winning Design”, underscoring its architectural pedigree. The developers even hosted open houses to promote “living at its hospitality best,” according to period advertisements. Original prices were attractive for young families: for example, one couple (the Allisons) purchased their Montpere Way home in 1962 for $19,500, having found it more affordable than comparable Eichler houses of the day. Over the decades, the neighborhood remained somewhat under the radar, known mostly to locals and mid-century enthusiasts, yet it has quietly retained much of its original character and charm.

Architectural Style, Layout, and Design Features

Mid-century modern design defines Peremont’s architecture. The homes were designed by Anshen & Allen, renowned architects of early Eichler houses, and they exhibit many Eichler-esque qualities eichlerhomesforsale.com. Each house is a low-slung, single-story ranch with a simple rectangular or L-shaped plan, a flat or low-pitched roof, and an emphasis on integrating indoor and outdoor spaces. Key architectural and layout features include:

• Post-and-beam construction: Exposed redwood beams support broad roof spans, enabling open interiors without many load-bearing walls. Ceilings in the Peremont homes are an unusual construction of solid old-growth redwood beams with thick redwood panels in between (as opposed to standard tongue-and-groove boards), a testament to quality materials and craftsmanship. Builders utilized all-heart redwood for framing, siding, and trim, which has made the structures exceptionally durable – homeowners report little rot or termite damage even 70 years later.

• Horizontal lines and wide eaves: The roofs have a low-gabled or nearly flat profile with broad eave overhangs, accentuating horizontal lines eichlerhomesforsale.com. From the street, the homes appear modest and unadorned, set well back on their lots for privacy. Vertical wood siding (often grooved board-and-batten style) further underscores the clean, linear look. Notably, the siding in Peremont has wider groove spacing than similar homes built elsewhere, a small distinguishing detail.

• Floor-to-ceiling glass and indoor-outdoor flow: Like many California modernist homes, the Peremont houses feature expansive glass walls and sliding doors opening to private back patios or courtyards eichlerhomesforsale.com. Living rooms and even some bedrooms have entire walls of glass facing the backyard, “blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.” This design creates a light-filled, airy interior and extends the living space into natureeichlerhomesforsale.com. In fact, Anshen & Allen’s plans provided for private backyard living accessible from multiple rooms – an idea they pioneered in Eichler homes eichlernetwork.com. Additionally, distinctive front kitchen window boxes were built into some models, allowing herbs or flowers to be displayed while maintaining privacy eichlernetwork.com.

• Open floor plans and long, flowing spaces: The interiors prioritize openness and functional family living. Many homes have an open-concept great room combining living and dining areas under a continuous, vaulted ceiling. In some models, the living room spans an impressive length (reportedly about 45 feet long by 11–12 feet wide), creating a spacious vista from one end of the house to the other eichlernetwork.com. Rooms are arranged to maximize sightlines to the outdoors; one resident notes that “living rooms in Peremont homes are long,” providing uninterrupted views through the home out to the yard eichlernetwork.com. This sense of openness is balanced with thoughtful siting for privacy – houses are positioned such that windows do not directly face neighboring homes, aided by the tract’s gentle hills and irregular lot layout eichlernetwork.com.

• Modern amenities of the era: Built for contemporary comfort, the homes originally included innovations like radiant heating in the concrete slab floors, a hallmark of mid-century modern design. Many Peremont houses still retain or have restored their in-floor radiant heat, a feature prized by purists for the cozy, even warmth it provides. Other period details included Philippine mahogany or redwood interior wall paneling, globe pendant lighting, and built-in wood-burning fireplaces. While some of these details have been updated in individual homes, many properties still boast original mid-century elements such as open beam ceilings, clerestory windows, and indoor-outdoor connectivity that are highly valued today.

An original mid-century modern home in the Peremont tract (Montpere Way), showing the low-pitched roof, broad eaves, and floor-to-ceiling windows characteristic of the design eichlerhomesforsale.com.

Overall, the architectural style of Peremont can be described as California Mid-Century Modern Ranch, very much in line with the Eichler-era modernist movement. The homes are unpretentious and functional, emphasizing livability over ostentation. As one longtime resident put it, “I love the architecture of this home because it was simple, and I loved all the windows.” eichlernetwork.com The exterior street view of each house is intentionally subdued – carports or modest garages, blank street-facing facades, and a lack of ornament – yet behind the facade lies a bright, open environment oriented to gardens and nature. This harmonious blend of simplicity and comfort has allowed the Peremont houses to remain highly “livable, relaxing – and good for one’s health” even decades after they were built eichlernetwork.com.

Anshen & Allen’s Involvement in the Project

The architectural coherence of the Peremont tract owes much to Anshen & Allen, the San Francisco firm of Robert Anshen and Steve Allen. Anshen & Allen were Joseph Eichler’s first major architects, instrumental in developing Eichler’s trademark modern style in the early 1950s. Their partnership with Eichler produced iconic mid-century designs featuring post-and-beam construction, open plans, and extensive use of glass eichlerhomesforsale.com. In the Peremont project, Anshen & Allen essentially reapplied that successful formula for a different developer, bringing Eichler-quality design to Saratoga.

According to local research, Perego-Montgomery obtained the home designs from Anshen & Allen by purchasing plans that the architects had originally created for another builder eichlernetwork.com. Specifically, the late developer Elmer Gavello – who built mid-century modern homes in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara – sold some of his Anshen & Allen–designed plans to Perego-Montgomery eichlernetwork.com. In the mid-1950s, Gavello was a competitor of Eichler and built tracts known as “Gavello Homes,” which strongly resemble the Peremont houses. Thus, the Peremont tract has an intriguing pedigree: it is “not an Eichler neighborhood, nor the work of Mackay or Cliff May,” but in a sense it is a Gavello – built by different hands eichlernetwork.com. In other words, Peremont’s DNA is pure mid-century modern; it was designed by Eichler’s architects and even shares blueprints with the Sunnyvale modernist homes built by Gavello in 1955–56. Neighbors have noted the similarities: Peremont homes are “long and low, with three or four bedrooms and two baths”, very much like Gavello’s, and some design details (such as the general floorplan and exterior appearance) are virtually identical eichlernetwork.com.

At the same time, Anshen & Allen and the Peremont developers did more than simply copy Gavello’s plans. The architects were likely directly involved in adapting and siting the homes on the Saratoga lots eichlernetwork.com. One distinguishing touch is the aforementioned unique ceiling construction and wider plank siding in Peremont, which differ from the standard Gavello models eichlernetwork.com. More significantly, observers have praised how the homes are beautifully oriented for passive solar benefits – “arrayed on their lots to take advantage of sun in the winter and avoid sun in the summer” – implying that Anshen & Allen carefully planned each house’s placement and orientation on the rolling terrain eichlernetwork.com. This level of site-specific design goes beyond a stock plan: it shows the architects’ hand in optimizing the environment (e.g. large eaves shading summer sun, expanses of glass soaking up low winter light eichlernetwork.com). The result was an award-worthy tract; indeed, the Peremont model home design received an AIA award, and that distinction was used as a marketing point to attract buyers who recognized the architects’ name eichlernetwork.com.

Anshen & Allen’s role thus gives Peremont a special place in Bay Area architectural history. It is an example of Eichler-era architects collaborating with a smaller developer, bringing high-design modernism into a non-Eichler tract. “Eichler-inspired” or “Eichler-like” is how many describe the enclave eichlerhomesforsale.com, given the obvious stylistic overlap. Importantly, Joseph Eichler himself was not involved in Peremont; however, the influence of his philosophy and team is evident throughout. The fact that multiple developers (like Gavello and Perego-Montgomery) worked with the Eichler architects in the 1950s underscores Eichler’s broader influence on California’s mid-century development eichlernetwork.com. Peremont stands as a case where architectural quality trumped brand – even without the Eichler name, the homes exhibit first-rate modern design. Locals who knew of Anshen & Allen were drawn to the tract for that reason. For example, original buyers Dick and Bev Allison recall that ads trumpeting the A&A design caught their eye, and they “knew who the architects were” when they chose to buy in 1962 eichlernetwork.com. In summary, Anshen & Allen’s hand in Peremont was pivotal: they lent the project a modernist vision, ensuring that this small Saratoga neighborhood would be built to the same standards of form and function as the best mid-century homes of its era.

Development Timeline and Original Builder

The development timeline for Peremont was relatively brief, concentrated in the mid-1950s. The land (located off Allendale Avenue and Quito Road) was likely acquired around 1953–54. Construction began in 1954, and by 1955 most of the 36 houses were completed and offered for sale eichlernetwork.com. These dates are documented by city records and contemporary accounts. (It’s worth noting that one or two lots may have been built slightly later – for instance, a house on Montpere Way is recorded with a 1959 build year – but the core tract was built in 1954–55.) A small handful of adjacent homes were built by the same Perego-Montgomery team a few years later, just outside the original tract, but those were executed in a more traditional style rather than modernist eichlernetwork.com.

The original builder and developer was Perego-Montgomery Development, a San Francisco-based partnership. Little is published about the firm aside from the principals’ names. Jackson P. Perego was identified as one partner; the first name of Mr. Montgomery remains elusive in records eichlernetwork.com. What we do know is that Perego-Montgomery joined the ranks of several medium-sized developers who tried to emulate Eichler’s success by building modern tract homes. They belong to the same conversation as Gavello, Mackay, and other regional builders of the era, though on a smaller scale. Peremont may have been their flagship modern project, since their other known subdivision (a later one nearby) did not continue the modern architecture theme eichlernetwork.com. By combining their surnames, the developers created the names “Peremont” (for the tract) and “Montpere” (for the curving internal street) – a quirky bit of branding that often gets mistaken for French wording eichlernetwork.com.

Home sales in Peremont likely took place through the late 1950s as the last houses found buyers. The tract was somewhat unusual for Saratoga at the time, since Saratoga was then a small semi-rural town known more for orchards and custom-built ranch homes than for modernist enclaves. As such, Peremont attracted forward-thinking buyers (engineers, designers, etc.) who appreciated the contemporary style and open layouts. Many original owners stayed for decades. For example, the Allison family moved in by 1962 and have remained for over 60 years eichlernetwork.com. The longevity of ownership speaks to how well these houses have served their residents. The development’s early marketing and timeline thus gave rise to a tight-knit community that has persisted into the 21st century.

Connections to Eichler, Mackay, and Other Mid-Century Developers

Because of its architecture, Peremont is sometimes mistakenly thought to be an Eichler tract – but it is not. Joseph Eichler had no direct involvement in Peremont’s development; his only Saratoga project was a separate tract of Eichler homes built in 1964–65 on the opposite side of Quito Road eichlerhomesforsale.com. That said, Peremont owes a debt to Eichler’s sphere of influence. The tract’s designs came from Eichler’s first architects (Anshen & Allen), and the overall look is “classic Eichler-like” with glass walls, post-and-beam structure, and indoor-outdoor flow eichlerhomesforsale.com. In essence, Eichler’s ideas were transplanted into Peremont via the architects, even though Eichler’s company did not build it.

As noted, Peremont’s plans originated from Elmer Gavello, a mid-century developer active in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara. Gavello’s homes (also designed by Anshen & Allen) were contemporaries and competitors of Eichler’s – part of a trend of “Eichler alternatives” in the 1950s eichlernetwork.com. The Peremont houses “strongly resemble the Gavello homes” found in Sunnyvale’s Gavello Glen tract (built around 1956) eichlernetwork.com. They share the long, low proportions and modern aesthetic. In fact, one could say Peremont is a Gavello-designed tract built by someone else. Gavello himself recounted that he “sold some of the plans from Anshen and Allen to another developer, who built the homes... in Saratoga.” eichlernetwork.com That “another developer” was, of course, Perego-Montgomery. Interestingly, the siting and a few construction details in Peremont differ slightly from Gavello’s originals, as discussed earlier – suggesting that while the base plans came from Gavello, Anshen & Allen may have refined them for the new setting eichlernetwork.com.

What about Mackay or Cliff May? These were other well-known names in mid-century California housing. Mackay Homes (David D. Bohannan/Mackay) built modern ranch houses in places like Palo Alto, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, and Cliff May was an architect-developer known for California ranch style homes (often in Southern California, and a few Bay Area tracts). Neither Mackay nor Cliff May had any connection to the Peremont tract. Saratoga simply did not have large subdivisions by those developers eichlerhomesforsale.com. Peremont was a unique, standalone project. In the Eichler Network’s research on Peremont, they explicitly clarify: “It’s not an Eichler neighborhood, nor is it the work of Mackay”eichlernetwork.com. So while Peremont is part of the broader mid-century modern movement that included Eichler, Mackay, Gavello, Alliance, Stern & Price, and others, it is a one-off enclave developed independently.

It is notable, however, that Eichler’s inclusive and innovative spirit permeated Peremont indirectly. Like Eichler neighborhoods, Peremont did not use exclusionary covenants (to our knowledge), and it embraced modern design for the middle class. Some residents who couldn’t afford an Eichler found Peremont to be an attractive alternative in the mid-’50s eichlernetwork.com. Thus, Peremont’s existence exemplifies how Eichler’s influence spread beyond his own company, inspiring other developers to create modern homes with the help of the same architects eichlernetwork.com. In summary, there is no direct corporate or financial link to Eichler, Mackay, or Cliff May, but the architectural lineage (via Anshen & Allen and Gavello) firmly ties Peremont into the mid-century modern tradition those names represent.

Historical and Architectural Significance

Today, the Peremont tract is gaining recognition as an important historical and architectural asset in Saratoga. For decades it flew under the radar, but in recent years homeowners and preservationists have shone a spotlight on its significance. In 2015, the first Peremont home was added to the City of Saratoga’s Heritage Resource Inventory, marking the first mid-century modern residence ever listed as historic in Saratogaeichlernetwork.com. This pioneering designation was for the home of Jo Rainie Rodgers (who grew up in the house and later repurchased it as an adult). Shortly thereafter, a second mid-century home in Saratoga (an Eichler) was added to the Heritage list, and several more Peremont owners have since pursued historic listing for their houses. The city’s Heritage Preservation Commission, upon discovering Peremont during a 60th anniversary neighborhood event, expressed that these homes “deserved designation” and encouraged owners to apply eichlernetwork.com. There is even talk that “at one point we may have a historic district here,” if enough owners agree to a district nomination eichlernetwork.com.

What makes Peremont historically significant? For one, it is a rare intact example of mid-1950s modern tract housing in Santa Clara Valley outside the more famous Eichler developments. It showcases the work of noted architects (Anshen & Allen) beyond their usual portfolio, and it reflects an era when modern design principles were being tested by various builders. Preservationists note that the tract can serve as a “case study for successful preservation” of mid-century modern neighborhoods eichlernetwork.com. Despite some later alterations (discussed below), many homes remain either unaltered or sensitively updated, retaining the original “California modernist” character eichlernetwork.com. The architectural integrity of features like the post-and-beam structure, open-plan interiors, and integration with nature contributes to its significance. In the words of one city commissioner, after seeing Peremont first-hand, “the homes... thought they deserved designation” for their architectural value and place in Saratoga’s story eichlernetwork.com.

Another aspect of significance is how well the homes function in contemporary life. Unlike some old houses that are preserved mainly for nostalgia, these houses are appreciated for being eminently livable. Residents often remark that the design “works” for today’s lifestyles without needing drastic change eichlernetwork.com. For instance, the open layouts and abundant daylight align perfectly with modern preferences. One newer homeowner, a landscape architect, noted that living in a Peremont home “changed his attitude towards life,” citing the natural light, seamless indoor-outdoor flow, and even the health benefits of a house where you often feel compelled to walk barefoot in the garden eichlernetwork.com. This notion that mid-century modern design promotes wellness and community is part of the tract’s cultural significance.

Local historical groups and mid-century enthusiasts have indeed taken note. The Eichler Network (which documents mid-century modern heritage) has published multiple articles about Peremont, dubbing it “a forgotten mid-century modern neighborhood” now being rediscovered eichlernetwork.com. These writings highlight that Peremont’s story was almost lost to history, but thanks to engaged residents and preservation-minded buyers, it is now recognized as a “little-known-to-the-outside-world enclave” that has much to teach about postwar architecture and community development eichlernetwork.com. The Saratoga Historical Foundation has also shown interest in cataloguing mid-century resources, and Peremont is likely their prime example from the 1950s period.

It should be mentioned that listing on the Heritage Inventory in Saratoga is an honorific status (unlike, say, the Mills Act, there are no tax benefits) eichlernetwork.com. It primarily serves to flag the home for careful review if major alterations are proposed, and indicates the city’s appreciation of the property’s historical value eichlernetwork.com. As of 2018, beyond individual listings, there were no formal protections like a conservation district or HOA design guidelines in Peremont eichlernetwork.com. However, city planners have informally indicated they would likely discourage any out-of-character changes like second-story additions in this tract, given its recognized character eichlernetwork.com. In practice, the neighborhood’s own pride and vigilance have been the strongest preservation forces – more on this in the next section.

Current State of the Neighborhood

Peremont today remains a serene, tight-knit neighborhood, though it has seen some changes. The enclave consists of Montpere Way (a gently curving lane with a short cul-de-sac section) and portions of Allendale Avenue and Quito Road, where a few of the original homes sit on larger lots. The community spirit is notably strong among Montpere Way residents. Neighbors know one another and have organized gatherings, such as a 60th anniversary block party in 2014 that drew many longtime owners (and even the mayor and city officials) eichlernetwork.com. Residents describe Montpere as a “very close-knit neighborhood” with frequent socializing, which has helped reinforce a collective appreciation for the tract’s heritage eichlernetwork.com. An active Neighborhood Watch and occasional street meet-ups (e.g. at nearby Ravenswood Park) also contribute to cohesion.

In terms of home integrity, a majority of the houses still exhibit their mid-century modern exteriors, though a significant minority have been altered. A recent survey (circa 2018) found that out of 36 original homes, 13 had been heavily altered or even essentially replaced by larger new homes eichlernetwork.com. Some of these changes occurred in the 1990s and 2000s, when skyrocketing Silicon Valley real estate values led certain buyers to remodel or rebuild to maximize square footage. A few of the remodels introduced incongruous elements – for example, one house added a stone veneer façade on the front, disrupting the uniform wood-and-glass look eichlernetwork.com. Others expanded upward or outward, diluting the “long and low” profile that defines mid-century ranches. Longtime residents have admitted that in the past “some of the houses got very neglected, and people had different ideas about how they want their places to look – not always for the best,” especially once prices made teardowns lucrative eichlernetwork.com.

Despite those cases, most Peremont homes are either still in near-original form or could be restored without monumental effort eichlernetwork.com. For instance, several houses that had cosmetic facade changes still retain their fundamental structure and could have mid-century elements (like proper siding or windows) reinstated eichlernetwork.com. Encouragingly, the trend in the last 10–15 years has been away from extreme makeovers and toward preservation. Neighbors observe that newer buyers since the mid-2010s are generally “interested in preserving the homes” and have avoided inappropriate alterations eichlernetwork.com. In some cases, new owners have actively restored original features that previous owners removed. One notable example is Tom Eddy’s house on Montpere Way: it had been used as a daycare and rental property for years and was entirely painted beige inside and out when he bought it eichlernetwork.com. Eddy, a landscape architect, recognized the good bones of the house and decided “we needed to go back to its roots.” He kept or brought back mid-century touches – he preserved the original concrete entry paving, rediscovered the unique kitchen window box, and installed cork flooring (a period-appropriate material) in place of 1980s carpet eichlernetwork.com. He also reveled in the home’s redwood construction, discovering during inspections that “there are no problems because it’s all redwood,” meaning no termite or rot issueseichlernetwork.com. This kind of thoughtful renovation, honoring the original aesthetic while making gentle updates, is increasingly common in Peremont.

There are still challenges – not every owner prioritizes mid-century authenticity, and no homeowners’ association (HOA) enforces design rules (past attempts to form an HOA never got far) eichlernetwork.com. However, informal peer influence and pride of ownership have created a preservation-minded atmosphere. Seeing Jo Rodgers’ house gain historic status and Tom Eddy’s house rejuvenated has inspired others. More homes are in the pipeline for Heritage Inventory listing eichlernetwork.com, and having multiple houses on the Inventory opens the door for potentially creating a designated historic district in the future (which would require at least 60% of owners’ consent) eichlernetwork.com. Some residents remain hesitant about formal restrictions – “no one should tell them what to do” is a sentiment held by a few eichlernetwork.com – but overall the neighborhood appears to be “on the rise” in terms of appreciation for its mid-century roots eichlernetwork.com.

Curb appeal in Peremont today is a mix of past and present. Driving down Montpere Way, one can still spot a number of houses with original 1950s silhouettes: the gently sloping roof, unpainted wood siding or period-appropriate colors, and minimalist landscaping. Next door might be a home that has a modern addition or a second story (those are few, as the city likely disfavored second-story approvals here eichlernetwork.com). Many properties feature mature trees and large yards (lot sizes range roughly 8,000–10,000 sq ft or more), giving the street a leafy, established look. The setting remains quiet and semi-rural in feel, with West Valley College’s open spaces nearby and the Santa Cruz Mountains visible in the distance. Residents enjoy this tranquility while being just a short hop from downtown Saratoga and Los Gatos for amenities redfin.com.

In summary, the current state of Peremont is one of cautious revival and preservation. Enough of the original houses survive that the tract’s authentic mid-century character is still evident. Community efforts and sympathetic renovations are gradually polishing the gem that is Peremont, ensuring that the architectural legacy of this 1950s enclave endures for future generations.

Real Estate Activity and Notable Sales

Mid-century modern homes in Saratoga are highly sought-after and relatively scarce, and the Peremont homes are no exception. Because the city has only a small number of MCM houses (mostly this tract and the Eichlers across Quito Road), demand is strong when one comes up for sale eichlerhomesforsale.com. In recent years, well-preserved Eichler homes in Saratoga have sold in the $2.5 to $4 million range, reflecting the premium for mid-century design coupled with Saratoga’s desirable location eichlerhomesforsale.com. The Peremont houses tend to be smaller (3–4 bedrooms, ~1,400–1,800 sq ft) than the Eichlers (which are newer and often 4–5 bedrooms, 2000+ sq ft) eichlerhomesforsale.com, so their values, while still high, can be a bit more approachable. Recent sales indicate that turnkey restored Peremont homes trade in the high $2 millions.

One notable sale occurred in April 2025: 18541 Montpere Way sold for $2,400,000theagencyre.com. This was a 3-bed, 2-bath home of 1,453 sq ft on an 8,531 sq ft creekside lot. redfin.com. The house had been tastefully remodeled with modern amenities, but importantly, the renovation respected its mid-century roots. The listing description welcomed buyers to “a mid-century home of architectural history, tastefully remodeled for today’s lifestyle,” and proudly noted that the “original architect for this Peremont enclave was Anshen & Allen, AIA design award winner for their iconic Eichler-built homes.”redfin.com. The marketing highlighted the very features that make these homes special: “sleek lines, glass walls and [an] open floorplan”, “vaulted wood-beamed ceilings”, “floor-to-ceiling glass windows” with views of the lush surroundings, and the original radiant floor heating – described as “a desirable feature to the mid-century purist.”redfin.comredfin.com. In essence, the sale of 18541 Montpere showed that preserving or restoring the classic design elements can be a selling point and yield top dollar. The home went pending quickly and closed at a strong price (about $1,650 per sq ft) redfin.com, illustrating the premium value of architecture in addition to land in this neighborhood.

Another recent offering is 18371 Montpere Way, which was listed in fall 2025 for around $2.6 million (3 beds, 2 baths, 1,834 sq ft) zillow.com. That home had a more extensively modernized interior (open great room, contemporary finishes, forced-air heating instead of radiant). The listing emphasized the updated amenities and landscaping more than mid-century pedigree, suggesting it had been remodeled to a more transitional style. Even so, it attracted buyers and was marked pending/sold within a short time (final price reported about $2.7M). This suggests that even when altered, these homes benefit from a combination of mid-century charm and Saratoga’s underlying real estate strength – but clearly, those that retain original design features are especially prized by a niche of buyers. Real estate agents familiar with the area note that mid-century enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for authenticity and thoughtful restorations eichlerhomesforsale.com. Well-maintained MCM homes often see competitive bidding, as there are few alternatives in the South Bay with similar character.

Some Peremont homes have stayed off the market for generations, but as original owners age and sell, more opportunities are arising for restoration-minded buyers. When original-condition houses do hit the market, they can generate buzz in the Eichler/MCM fan community. The Eichler Network blog spotlighted that Peremont homes still “attract buyers today – and not because they are historic, but because they are livable” eichlernetwork.com. Buyers who missed out on Eichlers in Palo Alto or Sunnyvale sometimes target this enclave for its custom feel and tranquil setting. Notably, the Allisons’ home, one of the most original in the tract, has not been on the market since the early 1960s – but it stands as a time-capsule example of the architecture (with redwood paneled walls, original cabinetry, and even period furniture). If a house like that were listed, it would likely be met with great enthusiasm by collectors of mid-century homes.

In the broader context, Saratoga’s prestige and school district add to property values, but can also lead to teardown pressure for larger new construction. Fortunately, in Peremont, the trend appears to be renovate rather than replace. Several homes have been lovingly updated with new kitchens or baths while leaving the layout intact. Others have had sensitive additions that expand space without ruining the exterior style (e.g. extensions kept low-profile and using matching materials). Real estate listings now often mention if a home is in “the Montpere neighborhood designed by Anshen & Allen”, knowing that this fact alone will pique interest from a certain set of buyers.

In conclusion, the real estate market in the Peremont enclave is robust and trending upward, fueled by its combination of mid-century architectural significance, relative rarity, and the general desirability of Saratoga. Notable sales like 18541 Montpere Way demonstrate that preserving the “sleek lines, glass walls, and open floorplan” of these homes is not only culturally rewarding but also economically beneficial. With continued appreciation and careful stewardship, the Peremont tract’s homes will likely continue to command premium values and find owners who cherish their “architectural history” for years to come.

Peremont a hidden gem

The Peremont mid-century modern enclave is a hidden gem in Silicon Valley’s architectural landscape. Its historical background – a 1950s collaboration between forward-thinking developers and Joseph Eichler’s own architects – makes it a fascinating study in mid-century design beyond the usual brand names. Architecturally, the tract is distinguished by its harmonious modernist features: open-plan interiors oriented to nature, daring use of glass and redwood, and an understated elegance in form. Anshen & Allen’s award-winning touch is evident in every beam and pane of glass, proving that good design is timeless.

Over 65 years since its creation, Peremont has managed to preserve much of its original character, thanks to a passionate community and the inherent livability of the homes. The neighborhood’s story – from being “little-known” to now earning spots on the Heritage Inventory – reflects a growing recognition of the importance of mid-century modern heritage in Saratoga. Residents old and new have found common cause in celebrating and safeguarding this unique enclave. As renovations proceed and some homes change hands, the trend is clearly one of revitalization with respect: honoring the past while adapting to present needs. Real estate activity further underscores the value placed on these homes, with restored examples commanding top-tier prices and enthusiastic buyers.

In sum, Peremont represents a successful fusion of history, architecture, and community. It may not be as famous as an Eichler tract, but in its quiet way it offers a “hospitality best” living experience that was promised in the 1950s and still rings true today eichlernetwork.com. For mid-century modern aficionados and historians alike, Peremont is a case study in how good design endures – and how a dedicated group of homeowners can ensure that an architectural legacy not only survives but thrives in the 21st century.

Sources:

• Eichler Network (Dave Weinstein’s blogs on Peremont’s history and preservation) eichlernetwork.com

• Eichler Homes For Sale blog – Mid-Century Modern Homes in Saratoga (Boyenga Team) eichlerhomesforsale.com

• Real estate listings and records for Montpere Way homes redfin.com

• Interviews/quotes from Peremont residents in Eichler Network articles eichlernetwork.com

• City of Saratoga Heritage Preservation info Saratoga Heritage Commission