Professorville Neighborhood —A gracious historic district with homes on large lots
Originally the Professorville neighborhood of Palo Alto got its name because it was where the first group of young professors at Stanford University settled when they accepted teaching positions with the then new Stanford University. The location was chosen because it was shortest walking or horseback riding distance across the fields that separated downtown Palo Alto on University Avenue from Stanford University. With unique architecture and land plots as well as convenient proximity to downtown Palo Alto, Professorville is now one of Palo Alto's most desirable neighborhoods.
Professorville Neighborhood Real Estate Insider
Real estate prices have skyrocketed since Professorville’s inception, with homes ranging from $1.2 million to $2.6 million and the median home selling for $1.9 million in 2006. The demographic has shifted a bit away from fledgling professors and students, giving way to younger families with stock option wealth, and long time residents.
Most of the original Professorville Shingle Style Craftsman homes remain mixed in with Monterey Colonial Style, Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival styles. Today these homes appear elegant and gracious with their tree shaded front yards and streets, comfortable porches and large front lawns. Professorville is now an Historic District, and most of the homes and some landscaping in the area are protected from dramatic visual architectural changes, although the City of Palo Alto encourages remodeling to bring homes up to current codes. Lot sizes are large by Palo Alto Standards. The Palo Alto Stanford Historical Organization (PAST) provides architectural information on these home styles, along with tours and brochures for self-guided walking tours. The shared values and effort involved in maintaining these historic homes brings neighbors together and forges friendships that last a lifetime.
One interesting outcome of the areas somewhat unique planning is the prevalence of “flag plots,” where homes are set far away from the street in the middle of a block. This is due to the original professors purchasing an entire block, placing their original home in the middle of that block, and then gradually selling off plots around the perimeter of their original home. This is most evident on Kellogg Avenue.
Despite Professorville’s proximity to downtown Palo Alto, few residents complain of traffic. Professorsville’s street layout and barriers prevent motorists from cutting through the neighborhood to get to the downtown area.
Professorville Neighborhood School Information
Professorville is served by the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), which includes Addison Elementary School, Jordan Middle School and Palo Alto High School. These schools score extremely high on the API, especially compared to other school districts in Santa Clara County. Additionally, PAUSD schools are required to submit accountability reports to the community which can be viewed online.
Keller Williams Realty & the Arjani Group
Are you searching for a home in the Professorville Neighborhood? If so, we can help! Our extensive real estate expertise will guide you from finding the right home to closing. We’ll even assist you with relocation! Whether you are moving from across Santa Clara County or from beyond the state of California, we’ll make your transition smooth and rewarding. You're always welcome to call us at (650) 331-2993 for more information. Thank you for visiting our website!
Professorville Neighborhood, Palo Alto, California
www.ArjaniHomes.com is owned by Anne Arjani who is a licensed Realtor® of Keller Williams Realty, 505 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Keller Williams Realty is licensed in the state of California, is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act. Terms and Conditions apply.
