“I remember waking up in the Eichler after we moved.  I remember waking up in a white bedroom and walking out into light,” says Nick Fodor.  Now 25, Nick grew up in Palo Alto near the border between the Meadow Park and Adobe Meadow neighborhoods.  He was four when his parents moved in.  When asked about his childhood home, it is clear from the way his eyes light up that his family’s Eichler is still a cherished memory.  

Eichler Brochure showing the Eichler lifestyle for young Palo Alto family

 The home, off of Ross Road, backs up to Adobe Creek and is an earlier model than the E-21 at 728 Gailen Ave.  Fodor’s house did not have an atrium, instead opening into a large room with a fireplace, but much of what he recalls of the home are Eichler characteristics that make the models ideal for young buyers and families.

Perhaps the most memorable feature of the home, Fodor says, were the huge windows in the kitchen and great room.  The east-facing windows filled the kitchen with golden dmorning light and warmth.  “It really woke you up before school,” Fodor laughs.  These large windows, also seen at 728 Gailen Ave., are an Eichler trademark, blending indoor and outdoor living.

 The oldest of three boys, Fodor recalls the Eichler as being a great place to play, a quality undoubtedly bolstered by the home’s multi-functional rooms.  A bedroom became a playroom for Fodor and his brother, and ultimately a nursery when the youngest joined the family.  Similarly, a divided great room became two separate rooms for “quiet time,” and also functioned as large play space, as the boys could chase each other around the division.

 Beyond functional adaptability, Eichlers enjoy physical adaptability as well.  “The owners before us had added a room, we added a deck and a tree house, and the owners after us made further modifications,” Fodor says of his home. “The house has changed significantly to fit the needs of the people who move in.”

 Large lots, such as those in Meadow Park, allow owners to adjust their homes as needed, and make the neighborhood feel spacious and relaxed.  In combination with the attention to layout, Eichler developments strike a unique balance of privacy and community.

 Cul-de-sacs punctuate Meadow Park, creating pockets of homes.  Neighbors in cul-de-sacs feel connected, Fodor says.  Sleek exteriors marked by landscaping with hedges allow the Eichlers near Fodor’s home to preserve privacy as well.  This balance appeals to those who want to know their neighbors and be part of a community, but also feel secure in a private space.  Fodor remembers playing with children in the neighborhood, racing his brother on bikes up and down the street and playing hockey in the cul-de-sac.  “There was absolutely no traffic,” he says.  “We had the street all to ourselves.”

 This “just for us” feel is reinforced by nearby parks and schools.  “My mom didn’t want us crossing busy streets, and there were a few parks in range where we didn’t have to,” Nick says. “We went to Don Ramos Jesus Park and Palo Verde all the time.”

 Still, Fodor thinks about returning to an Eichler in the future.  “Looking back it seems like it would be good for kids, especially if you’re starting a family.”  Nick remembers feeling at home the first morning he woke up in his new bedroom.  Because of their mid-century charm, Eichlers still feel lived in and loved; they are welcoming and effortlessly warm.

 This series of posts is intended to highlight the many characteristics that make Eichlers ideal homes  for today’s buyer. The Meadow Park neighborhood combines the best of Palo Alto, with tranquil streets, proximity to acclaimed Palo Alto schools, and the timeless style of one of the Bay Area’s most influential designers.

A small neighborhood in south Palo Alto, which features large lot sizes, Meadow Park is remarkable for its balance of tranquility and accessibility to shopping, recreation, and transportation.  Bordered by Adobe Creek, Bibbits Drive, Charleston Road and Grove Avenue, Meadow Park enjoys Palo Alto’s myriad of amenities and yet embodies the feel of a peaceful, intimate community.

Meadow Park is visually distinct from other Palo Alto neighborhoods because of its history as an Eichler development.  In 1958 Meadow Park was advertised by Eichler Homes as the newest prestige development featuring 34 homes, each a minimum 7,800-square feet.  “They are specially designed for the family that appreciates the finest in California Living,” reads the brochure.  Many of the original features touted by Eichler abound in Meadow Park.  728 Gailen Ave. contains some of the best examples.

Original Brochure for the Eichler Homes Meadow Park Subdivision: The full expression of Eichler Home Design

A recent ordinance limiting homes to a ‘single-story overlay’ preserves the unique visual cohesion of this neighborhood’s quiet streets and cul-de-sacs.  Meadow Park is a perfect illustration of customizable Eichlers; the houses are similar in structure, yet each made distinct through adjustments to landscaping and the home’s exterior.

Walking through Meadow Park, its mid-century homes appear in subdued shades of tan and sage, as well as in dusty blue and bold apple green.  Spacious front yards range from manicured lawns to wildflower beds, occasionally punctuated by children’s toys.  City trees are planted in front yards along the sidewalks, creating a canopy over wide streets such as Louis Road.  There is very little traffic through Meadow Park; one is more likely to encounter dog walkers or children biking than have the neighborhood’s serenity interrupted by a vehicle.

Although secluded, Meadow Park is only a few blocks away from endless Palo Alto resources.  Its location is enhanced by proximity to Middlefield Road, a major artery running through residential Palo Alto.  Two minutes away, at the intersection of Middlefield Rd. and Charleston Rd, the Charleston Shopping Center houses Peet’s Coffee and Piazza’s Fine Foods, and is a convenient stop for residents on the way to or from work.  Rick’s Ice Cream, frequented by locals from all corners of Palo Alto, is also located within the Center.

Mitchell Park and Library, just north of Charleston on Middlefield Rd., is easily accessible from Meadow Park and includes a recreation center, lighted tennis courts, baseball field, playgrounds and fenced dog run for use by Palo Alto residents.  The 21.4-acre site hosts Palo Alto events such as the annual summer chili cook-off and music in the park evenings.

Beyond the park are Fairmeadow Elementary School and J.L. Stanford Middle School.  “The schools were a big factor in our move,” says one Grove Ave. resident.  Many families with young children are attracted to Meadow Park because of easy access to quality Palo Alto public schools.

A few minutes south of Meadow Park is San Antonio Shopping Center and 5 minutes east are major shopping outlets such as Costco, Office Depot, REI and Best Buy.  There is immediate access to Highway 101 with efficient routes to Silicon Valley, San Francisco and the East Bay.

Hot spots such as Phil’z Coffee and Midtown shopping center are a short distance north on Middlefield Rd.  Midtown mixes larger staples such as Safeway and CVS pharmacy with smaller favorites such as Palo Alto Café.  Downtown Palo Alto and Stanford University lie a few minutes beyond on University Ave.

“I love the convenience to [Charleston Shopping Center] and to Mitchell Park,” says Faith Hastings, secretary of the Meadow Park Neighborhood Association.  “Now we have a lot of shopping across San Antonio Ave., so it’s a very convenient location.”  Hastings moved to Meadow Park with her husband, Al, in 1965, and raised a family in the neighborhood.

In addition to its convenient location, the warm atmosphere of the neighborhood attracts residents.  “You see people out walking, walking their dogs, talking, and that makes it feel more like a neighborhood,” Hastings says.

The next post in this series explores the community of Meadow Park in more detail.

Front View of 775 Cereza Drive, Palo Alto, CA

The Perfect Palo Alto Fixer uppper: Lot 8250 sq ft per assessor, Simple floorplan 1268 sq ft per assessor, Room for expansion on most sides of the home, 3 BR 1BA, Excellent Barron Park location near parks and schools, quiet street with updated and some very upscale homes, two car garage, Most of all…..there has been minimal updating and NO serious remodeling since the home was built in 1947. Outstanding Palo Alto schools include Juana Briones Elementary, Terman Middle and Gunn High School. The owner passed away peacefully in the home according to listing agent Betty Rooker.

This home has not been remodeled since it was constructed in 1947. Hey! That is the charm of the property. Also, it is far more affordable as an untouched home. Several of us (agents) were joking about having a football style office betting pool as to the number of multiple offers this property will garner. Since there is NO competition at this time, and it is priced at the most popular price point of 1.275M we think there will be between 10 and 23 offers on the Jan 9th offer date.

The spacious living room (this home was built before there were “family rooms”) has a wonderful dining “L” next to the spacious kitchen. The kitchen is adjacent to the backyard which is not always the case in a home of this era.

“Eat in Kitchen”….original 1947 aqual tile, linoleum floor, window facing fence setback, but with possible room to expand on two sides.

The most heavily “renovated” room in the home. Don’t you love that Oak toilet seat circa 1977?

All three bedrooms and the bathroom are adjacent to this small, simple hallway. A great simple floor plan!

Gorgeous relatively private and spacious backyard provides room to expand the Kitchen and a back bedroom, with room to spare for a wonderful out door entertaining space.

Perhaps someday there will be room for two cars? How about a garage loft for all of your “stuff”