Next month Julie and I will be meeting up in Palm Springs for Modernism Week. As an appetizer, she toured me around three Eichler Homes neighborhoods (c. 1962-64). I was in mid-century modern heaven!
From 1949 to 1966, Joseph Eichler collaborated with renowned architects to build some 11,000 of his trademark tract houses across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.These mid-century modern residences, inspired in part by the Frank Lloyd Wright house Eichler grew up in, were affordable and coveted by the booming post World War II middle class. These awesome houses were graced by an abundance of exposed wood and open spaces that emphasized a connection to the outdoors.The Orange Eichlers stood out in the Orange County of the time with their post-and-beam construction, atriums, and unusual roof lines. Interestingly, when Eichler opened his tracts in the city of Orange, to understand the local market and reach out to it, they brought in a woman who had done marketing for another major institution in the neighborhood – Disneyland.With only about 575 units built in Southern California, the three tracts of Eichler Homes in Orange (350) represent the merchant builder's only Orange County work. In recognition of the unique qualities and character inherent in Eichler tracts, the City of Orange designated the communities of Fairhaven, Fairmeadow, and Fairhills as historic districts in 2018, and adopted procedures to ensure their long-term preservation (thus allowing us to freely ogle).As American troops returned home from the WWII, many elected to settle in Southern California. The sudden growth in population resulted in both an economic boom and a housing shortage in the region. As freeways began to crisscross the area, newly developed residential suburbs afforded endless opportunities for middle-class consumers to begin realizing their dreams of homeownership.In just four years between 1955 and 1959, the City of Orange processed over 28 housing tracts, with more than 2,400 homes being built. This trend continued to skyrocket. Between 1960 and 1964, the City approved over 250 tract developments, with over 5,000 homes being constructed during that period. It was during that time, that Joseph Eichler ventured to the far eastern fringes of the city, and began development of what would be the first of the three tracts he would construct in Orange between 1960 and 1964.I loved this about Mr. Eichler, shared by his son, "Before and even after 1947, my father never held a hammer, a saw, or a wrench in his hand. Still, he became a master builder."
And as the sun was setting, and the Eichler homes were illuminating, one could agree that Joseph Eichler was indeed a master builder.Now more than ever, this advertisement is true, "An Eichler home is your best investment. It is uniquely conceived for both present and future, assuring you maximum dollar appreciation. Insure your future; live in an Eichler home."
What a great introduction to next month's Modernism Week right here in Orange, just minutes away from Julie. Treasure are found everywhere!
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1 comments:
These homes are so similar to the Streng Brother's homes in Sac in the 1970's or 80's, with open floor plans, atriums, flat roof, and large windows. Some were duplexes. They were a very modest spinoff perhaps?
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