Monta Loma – Fairview Tract Eichler Modern Homes

Monta Loma – Fairview Tract : A Mid-Century Modern Enclave in Mountain View 94040

The Fairview Tract, Monta Loma (Mountain View)

The Monta Loma neighborhood in Mountain View is a renowned enclave of mid‑century modern homes, and its Fairview tract is one of the largest Eichler subdivisions in Silicon Valley. Developed in the mid‑1950s by Joseph Eichler, the Fairview tract comprises roughly 180–200 single-story ranch homes, nearly all built in 1954. These 3-bedroom, 2-bath Eichlers are compact by Eichler standards (about 1,100–1,200 sq ft each) and feature the classic California modern hallmarks of post-and-beam construction, open floor plans, and generous glass walls. In Montgomery’s words, the Fairview Eichlers “exemplify Eichler’s signature indoor-outdoor design” with features like floor-to-ceiling windows, clerestories, and private atriums. Architecturally, this tract was designed by A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons after Eichler parted with his earlier firm (Anshen + Allen).

Originally part of a larger development called Monta Loma, the Fairview subdivision sits in northeast Mountain View, roughly bounded by San Antonio Road (west), Middlefield Road (north), Rengstorff Avenue (east), and Central Expressway (south). (Monta Loma also includes neighboring tracts by builders Mackay and Mardell, but the Eichler Fairview is its heart.) Before housing, this area was farmland and even hosted a small private airfield: the old runway extended along today’s Alvin Street. In aerial view, the Fairview streets trace the outline of a plane wing, and curving roads like Alvin and Quincy subtly recall the aviation layout. Early plans for the tract (never fully realized) would have placed hidden greenbelts and cul-de-sac parks between homes, but Eichler ultimately increased lot density and dropped the parkway plan.

The result is a tightly-knit mid-century community. Homes sit on modest lots (typically ~5,000–6,500 sq ft) with minimal front setbacks and rear yards. Parcels are generally rectangular, often oriented to maximize southern light. Alvin Street follows the old runway’s footprint, while cooler side streets like Quincy Drive, Emmons Drive, Thaddeus Drive and Benjamin Drive wind through the tract. (Eichler culture seeps into street names: Quincy Drive and Emmons Drive honor architects A. Quincy Jones and Fred Emmons, and Alvin Street nods to Joe Eichler’s brother). In many lots, living/dining rooms open directly to a central patio or atrium, blurring indoors and out. This use of courtyards and sliding glass walls is a defining design choice – it creates the sense of an “outdoor room” protected from streets but open to the sky. Indeed, Fairview’s Eichlers often look inward: the best views are from the rear patio, not the facade.

Figure: A typical Fairview Eichler home. Notice the flat roof, clerestory windows (upper strip), extensive glass walls, and private atrium patio – hallmarks of Fairview’s mid-century modern design.

Architecturally, Fairview Eichlers are compact Post-and-Beam ranches. Each house has an open-plan living/dining area with exposed wood beams supporting a flat or very low-sloping roof (characteristic of Eichler’s modernist style). Walls of glass (often floor-to-ceiling) and clerestory windows bring light deep into the home. Many have an open carport or garage integrated at one end, and most retain the original central atrium (a fenced courtyard) that the living spaces and bedrooms open onto. Inside, wood-paneled ceilings (usually Philippine mahogany) and matching built-in cabinetry were standard; Eichler’s goal was warmth through natural materials. Heating in all these homes is via radiant slab (embedded hot water tubes in the concrete floor) – a signature Eichler innovation that provides even warmth but requires periodic maintenance. Notably, Fairview Eichlers were built with steel or copper tubing: copper systems can be repaired after leaks, but older steel pipes will eventually fail and force owners to retrofit alternate heating (for example, hydronic baseboards or mini-splits).

Architectural Features (Fairview Eichlers): Wood post-and-beam construction; flat/slightly-pitched roofs; expansive glass and clerestory windows; interior atriums; radiant hot-water slab heat; Philippine mahogany paneling. Floorplans are mostly 3 bed / 2 bath (~1,116 sq ft). Many houses follow a T- or L-shaped plan around an atrium, with living and dining at the center. Unlike some later Eichler tracts, no Fairview home has a second story. (All remain one-story ranches with an open-beam ceiling.)

Model Variations: Within Fairview, variations are subtle. All homes share the Eichler style but differ slightly in garage placement, orientation, or additions. For example, some lots have a 2-car garage (with a driveway), while others have a one-car carport or breezeway opening onto the street. A handful of homes were later expanded, and a few have enclosed their carports or added sunrooms. But by and large, the tract is remarkably uniform. Most Fairview Eichlers are ~1,100 sq ft (Eichler’s standard plan), though a few larger footprints (~1,300–1,400 sq ft) were built to suit bigger families. (By contrast, the adjacent Mackay “Oakwood” homes and Mardell Manor houses range up to ~1,300+ sq ft.) All Fairview lots are on slab foundations; none have raised (crawlspace) floors. Many owners have since customized interiors (adding built-in desks, modern kitchens, etc.), but the original three-bedroom layout is almost always retained.

Table: Comparison of Monta Loma’s three builders. Fairview Eichlers (Eichler) are 3-bed/2-bath slab‑heated homes of ~1,116 sq ft, distinguished by open atriums, clerestories, and wood-paneled ceilings. Mackay and Mardell contemporaries (built shortly after) have similar form but differ in heating, ceiling and floor materials.

Preservation and Zoning

Fairview’s Eichler homes remain largely intact, thanks in part to community pride. Unlike some Bay Area Eichler tracts, Monta Loma (including Fairview) has no formal historic overlay or design guidelines yet. Homeowners here still technically could add a second story under normal zoning, but such proposals face strong neighborhood opposition. In fact, residents have long discussed adopting a “Single-Story Overlay” to prohibit two-story “pop-up” remodels. (To date, Monta Loma has remained one-story by custom: the community ethos “strongly favors maintaining the one-story, modernist streetscape”.) By contrast, the nearby Bell Meadows (sometimes called “Grandmeadow”) Eichler tract – Eichler’s final 1972‑1973 project just south of Monta Loma – successfully won a Single-Story Overlay in 2019, expressly forbidding any new second-floor additions.

Mountain View’s city preservation efforts are gradually catching up. The city has noted that “Eichler homes are unique… with their own special characteristics and should be preserved as part of history”. Both Monta Loma’s Eichler areas and the Trophy/Miramonte tract have been identified as potentially eligible historic districts under the city’s survey. If approved, this could impose review for major exterior alterations (much like San Jose’s historic Eichler districts). In practice, existing rules already discourage jarring changes: large gabled roofs, stucco facades, or visible second stories would likely draw municipal review or neighbor objections. Conversely, sympathetic updates (new windows, paint, or additions that “complement [the] Eichler design”) are generally welcomed. The city of Cupertino provides a nearby model: its R1–6E zoning for Fairgrove Eichlers requires any remodel to follow a published Eichler Design Handbook. Monta Loma has no such codified guide yet, but in all cases the community strongly values preserving the mid‑century aesthetic.

Community & Lifestyle

Today Fairview is much more than a collection of houses – it’s a tight-knit community. Neighbors here famously say “I live in Monta Loma,” not “Fairview,” reflecting a unified spirit. The Monta Loma Neighborhood Association (MLNA) is very active, organizing annual block parties, ice-cream socials, garden clubs and even a neighborhood CERT team. Families here often remain long-term: many current residents remember the original tract being sold to middle-class “trades and white-collar” workers, and even after houses have gone from $100K to $2M+, the multi-generational vibe remains. Monta Loma’s diversity shows in the languages heard at play (English, Mandarin, Spanish, Hebrew, etc.) and in friendly street interactions – from spontaneous front-porch chats to neighborhood-wide holiday decorating contests.

Walkability and amenities are good for a suburban tract. Monta Loma has parks and shopping within easy reach: Monta Loma Park (Thompson Ave) is a large local park with baseball diamonds, a playground, and open lawns. Just adjacent to Monta Loma is Rengstorff Park & Aquatics Center, which offers tennis courts, soccer fields, a skate plaza, and the inclusive Magical Bridge playground. Nearby Monta Loma Plaza (on San Antonio) has a Safeway, Starbucks, local restaurants and shops, and a short bike ride takes you to the larger Village at San Antonio Center mall. In fact, Mark Verber’s local guide notes that Monta Loma is “walkable” to groceries and parks, and user surveys rate it highly for sidewalks, dog‑friendliness, and kids playing outside. The Thaddeus Park pocket playground and the Monta Loma Elementary School campus (in the neighborhood center) give Monta Loma a small-town charm.

Location is a major draw. Monta Loma sits on the Palo Alto border of Mountain View, putting dozens of Silicon Valley tech campuses within easy reach. Google’s ever-expanding Mountain View complex (the Google X campus at the former Mayfield Mall site) abuts Monta Loma’s western edge. Many residents bike or drive minutes to work at Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Intuit, or the NASA Ames research park. Commuting is generally smooth: San Antonio and Central Expressway give quick access to Highways 101/280, and Caltrain’s San Antonio station is a short bike-ride away. Despite proximity to tech, Monta Loma feels sheltered: its interior streets are tree-lined and quiet, with only single-story houses visible.

Walk Score: On crowdsourced sites like Trulia and Walk Score, Monta Loma scores highly for groceries and parks, and very few people feel they need a car for daily errands. (In fact, >90% of residents report sidewalks, and 95% say it’s easy to walk to stores.) The neighborhood’s classic “kids play outside” vibe and friendly neighbors make it particularly appealing to families and multi-generational households.

Market Analysis

Fairview Eichlers command premium prices, reflecting their design pedigree and location. In Mountain View’s ultra‑competitive market, Eichler homes are rare finds. Of roughly 275 Eichlers in Mountain View, about 200 are in Monta Loma’s Fairview tract. As a result, only a handful come up for sale each year. When they do, they often spark bidding wars. Boyenga Team data show that updated 3BR Monta Loma Eichlers routinely list in the $1.9–2.2 million range (in late 2024), even though they are just ~1,200 sq ft. For example, a remodeled 3BR on Alvin Street fetched about $2.05 M after multiple offers in late 2024. This works out to ~$1,700–$1,800 per square foot – a substantial premium over average Mountain View homes. (By contrast, the Bell Meadows Eichlers – larger 4-bed atrium models – have sold into the mid-$3M’s recently.)

Prices in Monta Loma have been rising steadily. The broader Mountain View market saw median home prices around $2.73 M by mid‑2024, but Monta Loma Eichlers outperform even that. Across Mountain View, price per sq ft jumped from about $1,360 in 2021 to ~$1,750 by mid‑2024, underscoring the scarcity and desirability of well-preserved mid-century homes. Fairview Eichlers often sell well above same-size tract houses; buyers happily pay extra for authentic Eichler features and the neighborhood’s cachet. Typically, a Monta Loma Eichler spends only a few weeks on market before selling – even faster than the citywide average of ~17 days.

Market watchers note that Fairview Eichlers have appreciation and stability over time. Even in slower cycles, they tend not to drop as much as non‑Eichler homes, thanks to their architectural allure and limited supply. Buyers now often factor in renovation costs (for heating, windows, etc.) but still view Eichlers as “timeless, solid investments” in Silicon Valley.

Maintenance & Remodeling

Owning a vintage Eichler brings rewards – and some maintenance challenges. Key issues in Fairview homes include the slab radiant-heating system, flat roof, and single-pane glass.

• Radiant slab heat: Eichler’s original hydronic system (hot water pipes in the slab) works quietly but requires care. Experts recommend having an experienced inspector check the tubing every 1–3 years. Over decades, steel pipes may corrode and leak; copper pipes (used in some later models) can be repaired. Leak fixes involve jackhammering a trench to the pipe, repairing it, and re-pouring the slab – an expensive job (often $1,000–$3,000 per leak). Fortunately, modern leak-detection (infrared cameras) minimizes damage. Many owners report only a few leaks in 30–50 years. If slab repair becomes impractical (common with steel piping), alternatives like installing hydronic baseboard heaters or ductless mini-split systems are common solutions.

• Flat roof: Fairview Eichlers have flat or low-sloped foam roofs, which are prone to water ponding and leaks over time. Homeowners are advised to “winterize” roofs each year: clear debris, fix any splits, and address ponding spots. At the first hint of a leak, they should call roofing professionals who specialize in foam roofs. Many owners coat their roofs periodically with new elastomeric membranes or foam overlays to maintain waterproofing. Proper maintenance greatly reduces emergency leaks, but if heavy rain does cause infiltration, prompt patching is crucial (directing any drips into buckets and moving furniture out of the way).

• Windows: Original single-pane glass is another concern. Monta Loma’s Eichlers typically have steel-frame picture windows and glass sliders. Many owners have upgraded to double-pane or UV-blocking glass while preserving the slim profiles. Today’s vinyl and aluminum window manufacturers often offer “Eichler-style” sash that match the historic look. Replacing windows can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise, and is considered a “tasteful upgrade” by Eichler design guidelines as long as the replacements “complement the Eichler design”. (Alternatively, some residents apply UV film to original glass to protect mahogany wood paneling from sun damage.)

• Other fixes: Like all 1950s homes, Fairview Eichlers may need periodic updates: repainting wood paneling (some owners have replaced combustible paneling with drywall after the city’s fire concerns in the 1950s), replumbing, re-piping galvanized plumbing, updating electrical, and improving insulation. A common sensitive remodel is updating the kitchen with modern appliances and surfaces while keeping sleek cabinetry lines. Bathrooms often get gentle modernizations (new tile and fixtures) with original layout intact. Many owners seek architects familiar with Eichler nuances – for example, raising the roof just enough for ducted AC without destroying the flat-line profile.

Overall, most renovations in Fairview are done with preservation in mind. Realtors and designers stress that any remodel should respect the home’s mid-century ethos: flat roofs remain flat, simple color palettes (white, wood, muted earth tones) are used, and additions are kept low and at the back or sides. In fact, resources on Eichler remodeling consistently advise: “Maintain the original layout and character as much as possible”. In practice, this means highly visible Eichler features – atriums, exposed beams, clerestories, and broad overhangs – are preserved, while behind-the-scenes systems get upgrades.

The Boyenga Team – Eichler Specialists

For buyers and sellers, choosing a knowledgeable agent is crucial. In Monta Loma, the Boyenga Team (Eric and Janelle Boyenga) are widely regarded as mid-century modern specialists. Since 1996 they have sold dozens of Eichler homes in Silicon Valley. Industry sources even nickname them “Property Nerds” for their data-driven, detail-oriented approach to Eichlers. Zillow has recognized them as #NextGen agents for their innovative Eichler marketing.

The Boyenga Team emphasizes that every Eichler has quirks, and their “encyclopedic understanding” of Eichler architecture sets them apart. They coach clients on preserving Eichler details – from radiant floors to atriums – during sale. Their track record is impressive: Eric and Janelle have ranked among WSJ’s Top 100 U.S. teams with billions in sales. In short, in the Bay Area Eichler community the Boyengas are seen as the go-to advisers (hence the glowing endorsements on EichlerHomesForSale and EichlerNetwork). For a discerning mid-century modern buyer or seller, aligning with experts who truly know Fairview’s homes can make all the difference.

Summary

The Fairview tract in Monta Loma offers a unique slice of Silicon Valley history – 1950s Eichlers in their original glory. From its origins on a former airfield to its modern status as a sought-after tech‑adjacent haven, Fairview combines architectural integrity with community charm. Its collection of Anshen/Emmons‑designed Eichler homes stands out for their post-and-beam openness, atriums, and integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Contemporary buyers prize these attributes: Eichler homes here regularly fetch top dollar and sell quickly. At the same time, owners must be savvy caretakers – tending radiant slabs, flat roofs, and original finishes – to maintain that mid-century magic.

For architecture aficionados and “Property Nerds” alike, Monta Loma’s Fairview is a crown jewel. Its value lies not just in location (proximity to schools, parks, and tech campuses) but in its intact mid-century lifestyle: a friendly neighborhood where families stroll past Eichler patios and children race through atriums. Every Eichler enthusiast recognizes that owning in Fairview means joining a storied tradition of California modern living. And when it comes time to buy or sell, having specialists like the Boyenga Team on your side assures that every Eichler feature – from radiant heat to clerestory – is treated with the respect it deserves.