Fairorchard Eichler Tract in Sunnyvale, CA: A Mid-Century Modern Legacy in Silicon Valley

An Eichler home in Fairorchard with a low-gabled roof and minimalist facade. Fairorchard’s mid-century modern houses exemplify Eichler architecture with open layouts, walls of glass, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.boyengarealestateteam.com

Historical Overview

The Fairorchard tract was developed in the mid-1950s during California’s post-war housing boom, as part of Joseph Eichler’s bold experiment to bring modernist homes to mainstream homebuyers. Built on former orchards in Sunnyvale’s southwest corner (near the Cupertino border), Fairorchard consists of 54 single-story Eichler homes completed around 1958 boyengarealestateteam.com. Eichler’s vision was evident in Fairorchard’s design: open-plan layouts, floor-to-ceiling windows, and integration with nature – a radical departure from the cookie-cutter ranch houses of the era. From the start, Fairorchard attracted engineers and young families drawn to its contemporary style and forward-thinking ethos boyengarealestateteam.com.

Beyond its development story, Fairorchard holds a unique place in Silicon Valley lore. In the late 1960s and early ’70s, Apple’s co-founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs famously crossed paths in this very neighborhood. As a teenager, Wozniak lived with his family in an Eichler on Fairorchard’s Edmonton Avenue – a home he later described as “my favorite home ever” boyengarealestateteam.com. A mutual friend, Bill Fernandez, introduced Jobs to Wozniak, and it was in the Wozniaks’ Fairorchard living room that the two Steves bonded over electronics projects (like building a clandestine “blue box” device) and laid the groundwork for what would become Apple Computer boyengarealestateteam.com. Neighbors proudly note that this otherwise tranquil mid-century tract nurtured an epochal tech partnership boyengarealestateteam.com. The local Homestead High School – just down the road – educated both Wozniak and Jobs, underscoring how Fairorchard’s location and community were intertwined with early Silicon Valley history boyengarealestateteam.com. Today, a stroll through Fairorchard feels like walking through a chapter of tech history, with an added appreciation that innovative ideas can spring from the most unassuming suburban settings boyengarealestateteam.com.

Architectural Highlights

Design and Layout: Every home in Fairorchard is a quintessential mid-century modern creation, reflecting Joseph Eichler’s architecture philosophy of bringing “modern living” to the suburbs boyengarealestateteam.com. Famed architects Anshen & Allen designed the tract, and as Eichler’s developments expanded, the firm of Jones & Emmons also contributed their expertise boyengarealestateteam.com. Fairorchard’s homes were somewhat ahead of their time for Sunnyvale – this tract was among the first in the city to feature open-air atriums as a standard design element boyengarealestateteam.com. Eichler offered four basic floor plans here, ranging from modest 3-bedroom, 2-bath layouts (~1,370 sq. ft.) up to 4-bedroom models (~1,800–1,890 sq. ft.), slightly larger than his earlier 1950s homes boyengarealestateteam.com. These designs marked an evolution in Eichler’s portfolio: by 1958 he was introducing bigger models with a central atrium courtyard, literally “bringing the outside in” by placing a private open-air patio at the heart of the home boyengarealestateteam.com. This atrium model, debuting in Fairorchard, would soon become an Eichler signature and a defining trait of mid-century modern California homes.

Common Eichler Traits: The Fairorchard Eichlers display all the hallmarks that make Sunnyvale Eichler homes so distinctive. They are built with post-and-beam construction, enabling large open rooms without interior load-bearing wallsboyengarealestateteam.com. Broad floor-to-ceiling glass panels along the rear and atrium sides of the house blur the line between indoors and outdoors, bathing the interiors in natural light boyengarealestateteam.com. Characteristic low-pitched or flat rooflines with wide eaves extend the living space visually, while carports or integrated garages are incorporated seamlessly into the overall form boyengarealestateteam.com. Inside, many Fairorchard homes still retain exposed wood tongue-and-groove ceilings and rich Philippine mahogany wall paneling – warm mid-century materials that Eichler favored. Floors were poured concrete slabs with in-floor radiant heating, an innovative feature in the 1950s that provided clean, quiet warmth underfoot. Even the front doors often pop with period-appropriate color (Eichler owners famously love a bright orange or turquoise door), signaling the home’s cheerful modernist vibe. These features together create the “indoor-outdoor” Eichler lifestyle – glass-walled atriums and courtyards for private outdoor living, coupled with open interiors that foster family interaction and entertaining.

Aerial view of Fairorchard Eichler roofs, each with a central open-air atrium (the rectangular openings). This Eichler architecture concept brings nature into the home’s core, exemplifying the “outside-in” design philosophy boyengarealestateteam.com.

Preservation and Renovation: Over six decades on, Fairorchard’s architecture remains remarkably intact. Homeowners here display a strong preservation ethos – there’s a shared pride in maintaining the authentic mid-century aesthetic boyengarealestateteam.com. Many houses still feature original elements like globe pendant lights, clerestory windows, and delicately patterned concrete block breezeways. When updates occur, they are often done with reverence for Eichler’s intent: kitchen remodels stay in harmony with the home’s minimalist lines, and even expansions (such as enclosing an atrium or adding living space) are designed to “feel Eichler” with matching materials and roof profiles boyengarealestateteam.com. It’s common to spot lovingly restored details – for example, an owner refinishing the original mahogany panels rather than replacing them, or installing modern dual-pane glass that mimics the look of the original windows. Thanks to this stewardship, Fairorchard Eichlers present a time-capsule streetscape of 1950s modernism. Yet the tract doesn’t feel frozen in time – instead, it feels timeless. The uniformity of having all 54 homes built by Eichler (unlike some neighborhoods where Eichlers mingle with other builders) gives Fairorchard a cohesive mid-century modern real estate identity without feeling cookie-cutter boyengarealestateteam.com. Each house is clearly an Eichler, but each family’s caring touches make it a unique home. The result is an architectural gem: a small enclave that showcases classic Eichler design and continues to set a high bar for mid-century preservation in Sunnyvale.

Neighborhood Lifestyle and Amenities

Living in Fairorchard offers a blend of retro charm and practical Silicon Valley convenience that few neighborhoods can match. Tucked away on a handful of quiet residential lanes (Edmonton Avenue and its offshoots), the tract has virtually no through-traffic, creating an idyllic “everyone-knows-everyone” atmosphereboyengarealestateteam.com. Neighbors greet each other on morning dog walks and children play safely on the mid-century cul-de-sacs. There’s a palpable camaraderie among the residents – many of whom are tech industry professionals and young families drawn to the area for its unique lifestyleboyengarealestateteam.com. In fact, Eichler homeowners in Sunnyvale often form a kind of friendly cult following; Fairorchard residents trade referrals for Eichler-savvy contractors and rally together to advocate for preserving their neighborhood’s character. The City of Sunnyvale has officially recognized the historical value of its Eichler tracts, which bolsters community efforts to maintain the original look and feel of places like Fairorchard. Informal social events keep the community tight-knit – from impromptu block party potlucks (picture vintage BBQ grills fired up in an Eichler carport) to occasional mid-century modern home tours that include Fairorchard on their routeboyengarealestateteam.com. As one long-time resident put it, “We’re a small neighborhood with a big heart – and some famous history to boot.”boyengarealestateteam.com

Top-Rated Schools: A major draw for families in Fairorchard is the access to outstanding public schools – a somewhat unique perk, as this pocket of Sunnyvale is served by Cupertino’s acclaimed school district. Children can attend West Valley Elementary and Cupertino Middle School, culminating at Homestead High School, all of which are highly regarded for academic excellenceboyengarealestateteam.com. It’s a distinction that Fairorchard is in Sunnyvale yet zoned to Cupertino schools, and it elevates the tract’s appeal for parents. The schools are conveniently close by; Cupertino Middle is just next door, and the elementary and high school are within a short walk or bike rideboyengarealestateteam.com. On weekday mornings you’ll see groups of Fairorchard kids biking to class and parents walking younger children to West Valley Elementary, reinforcing the old-fashioned “neighborhood school” feelboyengarealestateteam.com. These top schools not only benefit students but also contribute to community stability – families often settle in for the long term to take advantage of K-12 continuity, and neighbors bond through PTA events and school sports. (Notably, Homestead High boasts Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak as alumni, adding a bit of local pride for the communityboyengarealestateteam.com.) In short, Fairorchard offers one of the most desirable school combinations in the region, which is a key selling point for the neighborhoodboyengarealestateteam.com.

Parks, Shopping, and Commute: Though pleasantly secluded, Fairorchard is by no means isolated – it enjoys easy access to a variety of amenities. Just a few blocks away in the adjacent Fairbrae Eichler tract is the members-only Sunnyvale Fairbrae Swim & Racquet Club, founded in the Eichler era and still a social hub for nearby neighborhoodsboyengarealestateteam.com. Many Fairorchard families join this club to enjoy its swimming pool, tennis courts, and summer BBQ events, fostering friendships across Sunnyvale’s Eichler communitiesboyengarealestateteam.com. For everyday needs, residents have several shopping centers within minutes: along Fremont Avenue and Homestead Road you’ll find grocery stores, cafes, and services that cover all the essentialsboyengarealestateteam.com. Meanwhile, Downtown Sunnyvale – with its historic Murphy Avenue dining district, weekly farmers’ market, and the modern CityLine shopping plaza – is only about a 10-minute drive from Fairorchardboyengarealestateteam.com. Downtown also houses a Caltrain station, making it convenient to catch the train for commutes or day trips up the Peninsula to Palo Alto or San Franciscoboyengarealestateteam.com. Nature and recreation are close at hand as well: family-friendly Serra Park (with playgrounds and picnic areas) is a short bike ride away, and Las Palmas Park offers a dog park and tennis courts not far from the tractboyengarealestateteam.com. Thanks to Sunnyvale’s well-kept bike lanes and the tract’s proximity to major thoroughfares, residents can easily connect to larger regional parks or reach Highway 85 and I-280 within a few miles for access to the broader Bay Areaboyengarealestateteam.com.

One of Fairorchard’s advantages is its location at the nexus of several key Silicon Valley cities. The neighborhood borders Cupertino and is only about a mile from Apple’s Infinite Loop and the new Apple Park “spaceship” campus – in fact, some Fairorchard residents bike to work at Apple in 10 minutesboyengarealestateteam.com. Other tech hubs in Mountain View and Santa Clara are also a short drive or shuttle ride away. This mix of a quiet, family-friendly enclave with a super convenient commute is a rare find, even in Silicon Valley. Many locals feel they have the best of both worlds: “You come home to this peaceful mid-century pocket where neighbors wave hello, and yet you’re just minutes from the center of the tech universe.” The neighborhood vibe might be summed up as “California casual meets Silicon Valley savvy” – where Eichler carports shelter both vintage VW wagons and cutting-edge electric vehicles, and where Wi-Fi powered entrepreneurs host weekend BBQs under the same Eichler trellises that first-generation aerospace engineers did in the 1950sboyengarealestateteam.comboyengarealestateteam.com. In Fairorchard, tradition and innovation truly live side by side, nurtured by a community that cherishes both its mid-century modern living and its Silicon Valley present.

Real Estate Market Analysis

Dramatic Appreciation: Fairorchard’s real estate journey mirrors the astounding rise of Silicon Valley itself. These homes, which originally sold in 1958 for around $15,000–$20,000, have appreciated into multi-million-dollar properties over the ensuing decadesboyengarealestateteam.com. Even as recently as the early 1990s, a typical 4-bedroom Fairorchard Eichler could be had for under $400kboyengarealestateteam.com. Fast forward to the 2020s, and prices have skyrocketed: by the mid-2010s, well-kept Eichlers in the tract that traded around $1.2–$1.3M in 2013 were selling for roughly $1.9M by 2017, and crossing the $2M mark by 2020boyengarealestateteam.com. The boom continued through the tech expansion of the late 2010s and early 2020s. By 2023–2024, Fairorchard Eichlers were often selling in the $2.5M+ range, with exceptional remodeled examples approaching the $3M thresholdboyengarealestateteam.com. In one notable case, a 4-bed, 2-bath Eichler (~1,770 sq. ft.) in Fairorchard was listed at $3.37M in 2024 – a price unthinkable a decade priorboyengarealestateteam.com. As of 2025, the typical market value for a well-maintained 4-bedroom Eichler in Fairorchard is around $3.0–$3.3 million, which translates to roughly $1,600–$1,800 per square footboyengarealestateteam.com. This places Fairorchard among Sunnyvale’s most desirable and high-priced neighborhoods, where each Eichler commands a premium for its blend of architectural pedigree, location advantages, and top-tier schoolsboyengarealestateteam.com. For context, Sunnyvale’s larger Eichler tracts like nearby Fairbrae or Rancho Verde (which also boast strong schools) have recently seen listings in the $2.5–$3M+ range as welleichlerhomesforsale.com. In Mountain View’s Monta Loma Eichler neighborhood – another mid-century enclave – intense demand and smaller home sizes have pushed prices above $2,000 per sq. ft. on average in 2025eichlerhomesforsale.com. Fairorchard’s values, in turn, rival those of homes in Cupertino or Mountain View, reflecting the tract’s unique combination of Cupertino school district prestige and classic modernist appeal.

Supply, Demand, and Competition: A key factor in Fairorchard’s hot market is scarcity. With only 54 homes in the tract and a community of long-term owners, listings are rare – some years, not a single home hits the market. Many original owners (or their families) held onto their Eichlers for decades, and even today residents tend to sell only for major life events (retirement relocations, estate settlements), not to “move up” locallyboyengarealestateteam.com. This low turnover means that when a Fairorchard property does become available, it’s a significant event. Buyers are often waiting in the wings, sometimes for months or years, for an opportunity in this neighborhood. It’s common for a Fairorchard Eichler to attract multiple offers within days, often from buyers who specifically targeted this tract and may have lost out on prior Eichler bidsboyengarealestateteam.comboyengarealestateteam.com. Bidding wars are the norm, not the exception. In recent years, all-cash offers and no-contingency contracts have become more frequent in this niche, as determined buyers look for any edge to win their mid-century dream homeboyengarealestateteam.com. The combination of passionate demand and limited inventory has created a market where homes often sell above asking price, with sale-to-list ratios frequently well over 100%. Homes in Fairorchard typically spend very little time on the market – they are scooped up almost as soon as they are listed, underscoring the tract’s “blue-chip” status in the local real estate scene.

Drivers of Value: Several factors fuel Fairorchard’s robust market values. First, location and schools are paramount: the neighborhood’s proximity to major employers (Apple, Google, LinkedIn and others within a short commute) coupled with inclusion in Cupertino’s top-tier school district make it extremely attractive to affluent professionalsboyengarealestateteam.com. A buyer who might consider a luxury home in Cupertino or Los Altos can purchase in Fairorchard and get not only the great schools and easy commute, but also the uniqueness of Eichler design – a combination that’s hard to beatboyengarealestateteam.com. Second, the architectural appeal and “collector’s item” scarcity of Eichler homes create a premium. Many buyers today specifically seek out authentic mid-century modern real estate, and Eichler homes are the gold standard for that in Silicon Valleyboyengarealestateteam.com. Fairorchard, being a small all-Eichler tract, may see only a handful of listings a year (if that), so competition among Eichler enthusiasts is intenseboyengarealestateteam.com. These buyers deeply appreciate original features – from open-beam ceilings to unpainted wood paneling – and are willing to pay extra for a well-preserved exampleboyengarealestateteam.com. The result is demand far outstripping supply, driving up prices. Third, the community itself adds value – the pride of ownership and neighborhood spirit mean that homes are generally well-maintained and the area’s heritage is protected, which bolsters property values. Finally, there’s a bit of tech cachet: owning a Fairorchard Eichler is seen by some as owning a piece of Silicon Valley history. It’s noteworthy that a number of Apple employees (and other tech executives) have become keen buyers in Fairorchard – in a poetic twist, they’re seeking a home in the same tract where Apple’s co-founder grew upboyengarealestateteam.com. This convergence of tech and mid-century culture adds intangible appeal: a Fairorchard address carries a certain prestige among those who appreciate the Valley’s roots.

Overall, Fairorchard’s real estate can be described as high-value and resilient. Even when broader market cycles cool, Eichler homes in prime locations like this tend to hold their value better than averageboyengarealestateteam.com. And during boom times, they appreciate rapidly thanks to their niche desirability. In recent memory, even periods of slower activity barely dented Eichler prices – for instance, during a brief market lull in 2019–2020, a Fairorchard Eichler still sold for roughly $1.9M (virtually unchanged from the prior year) before the market took off again in 2021boyengarealestateteam.com. Such performance underscores that these homes are “blue chips” of the Sunnyvale Eichler homes market. With their mix of design significance, location advantages, and even a dash of tech lore, Fairorchard Eichlers are likely to remain sought-after assets. As one analysis put it, Fairorchard offers the “Silicon Valley dream package: great schools, easy access to work, and a unique architectural lifestyle that sets it apart from cookie-cutter developments.”boyengarealestateteam.com In real estate, that combination is pure gold.

The Boyenga Team Advantage

Buying or selling in a niche market like Fairorchard can be challenging – the stakes are high, the competition is fierce, and the nuances of Eichler architecture require specialized understanding. This is where partnering with experienced professionals can make all the difference. The Boyenga Team (Eric & Janelle Boyenga of Compass) has emerged as the go-to Eichler experts in Silicon Valley, with an impeccable track record in mid-century modern real estateboyengarealestateteam.com. Branded as the “Property Nerds,” the Boyenga Team not only markets Eichler homes but truly lives the lifestyle (they even reside in a mid-century modern home themselves). They leverage a deep appreciation for Eichler design and decades of data-driven insight to give their clients a competitive edge. Below, we highlight how the Boyenga Team positions Eichler homes like those in Fairorchard for success, and the value-added services they provide to Eichler sellers and buyers:

• Unmatched Eichler Market Expertise: The Boyenga Team offers tract-by-tract knowledge of Sunnyvale’s ~1,100 Eichler homes across all the neighborhoods, including Fairorchardboyengarealestateteam.com. They closely track pricing trends and recent sales for Eichlers (which can differ significantly from standard homes) to inform a smart strategy. Sellers get Eichler-specific pricing guidance so that unique features – like an atrium or original mahogany walls – are properly valued, ensuring no money is left on the tableboyengarealestateteam.com. For buyers, the team’s intimate market insight means they can advise on a reasonable offer that wins the deal without overpaying. Their past experience negotiating countless Eichler transactions (with a reputation for aggressively negotiating top dollar for sellers) provides confidence that clients are in expert hands. In fact, with over 450 five-star client reviews and hundreds of Eichler homes sold, the Boyengas are widely recognized as the #1 Eichler real estate team in the regionboyengarealestateteam.com.
  
  

• Exclusive Off-Market Access: One of the Boyenga Team’s key advantages is their extensive network and Eichler-specific buyer database. Because they’ve specialized in this niche for so long, they often hear about off-market Eichlers and private exclusives before the general publicboyengarealestateteam.com. This means their clients can get early access to homes that aren’t yet on MLS – a huge benefit when inventory is scarce. The team maintains relationships with Eichler homeowners and other agents, giving sellers the option of discreetly shopping a home to pre-qualified Eichler enthusiasts if desiredboyengarealestateteam.com. For sellers, this can mean a quiet transaction at a strong price without the hassle of public showings. For buyers, it could be the difference between snagging a Fairorchard Eichler and never even knowing it was available. In a market where just a few listings a year come up, the Boyenga Team’s ability to tap into hidden supply is a game-changer.
  
  

• Tailored Marketing and Compass Concierge: Selling an architectural gem requires a bespoke marketing strategy, and the Boyenga Team excels in this arena. They showcase Eichler homes with high-impact visuals – professional photography, drone aerial videos, and even architectural storytelling that highlights the home’s design and historyboyengarealestateteam.com. A Fairorchard listing might mention the home’s iconic atrium ambiance or even tie in a Steve Wozniak anecdote if applicable, turning marketing materials into a story that engages buyersboyengarealestateteam.com. The Boyenga Team also leverages Compass’s industry-leading tools, like Compass Concierge, which fronts the cost of pre-sale home improvements and staging with no upfront cost to the sellerboyengarealestateteam.com. They will advise on strategic updates to maximize value – for example, refreshing landscaping to accentuate indoor-outdoor living or installing period-appropriate light fixtures to wow the mid-century puristsboyengarealestateteam.com. Their in-house staging services are tailored to Eichlers, often mixing modern furniture with vintage touches to appeal to the target demographic. Additionally, the Boyengas invest heavily in SEO-rich content and digital outreach – their Eichler-focused blog posts and social media presence attract architecture buffs from all over, ensuring each listing gets broad exposure (locally and even internationally) among qualified buyersboyengarealestateteam.comboyengarealestateteam.com. This advanced marketing approach helps their Eichler listings consistently stand out and command top-of-market prices.
  
  

• Expert Guidance for Eichler Buyers: Purchasing an Eichler is not quite like buying a typical suburban house, and the Boyenga Team embraces that. They educate their buyer clients on the unique aspects of Eichler homes, from technical quirks to historical significanceboyengarealestateteam.com. For instance, Eichlers have features like radiant heating systems and flat or low-slope roofs that require specialized knowledge – the Boyengas connect buyers with inspectors and contractors who understand Eichlers, so there are no unwelcome surprises during inspectionsboyengarealestateteam.com. They’ll point out original details worth preserving and advise if a home has undergone uncharacteristic modifications. When it’s time to bid, their experience is invaluable: they know how to structure offers to appeal to Eichler owners and listing agents – whether that means flexible rent-backs for sellers or personal letters expressing the buyer’s love of Eichler architecture. In multiple-offer situations, they strategize to help clients win without unnecessary overbidding, leveraging their reputation and relationships to get offers seriously consideredboyengarealestateteam.com. Buyers working with the Boyenga Team often comment that it feels like having fellow “Eichler nerds” on their side who genuinely care about finding the right house (not just any house) and guiding them through the process smoothly.
  
  

• Passion for Preservation and Community: Perhaps what truly sets the Boyenga Team apart is their passion for Eichler homes and mid-century design. They aren’t just transacting houses – they are advocates for a lifestyle and an architectural movement. Eric and Janelle Boyenga frequently sponsor or attend Eichler homeowner events, mid-century modern fairs, and local preservation groups, staying plugged into the community of enthusiastsboyengarealestateteam.com. This passion translates into a deeper level of care in every sale. They understand that selling a beloved Eichler can be an emotional experience for owners who have nurtured their home’s character; accordingly, they take care to find buyers who will appreciate and preserve that characterboyengarealestateteam.com. Conversely, when representing buyers, the Boyengas know these homes are more than just real estate – they’re buying into a piece of history – and they celebrate that fact, making the journey special. Their genuine enthusiasm reassures both sides: sellers trust that their legacy will be honored, and buyers feel they’re guided by agents who truly “get” the spirit of Eichler living. It’s akin to working with consultants and Boyenga Team Eichler experts who share your passion.
  
  

In summary, the Boyenga Team provides a comprehensive, high-touch approach tailored to Eichler transactions. They have hundreds of successful Eichler sales under their belt and have even been ranked among the top 100 real estate teams in the U.S. by sales volumeboyengarealestateteam.com. From leveraging Compass technology like Concierge and Private Exclusives, to tapping their private network of Eichler aficionados, to producing SEO-optimized content that draws in the right audience, they leave no stone unturned in adding value. As their slogan says, the Boyenga Team helps clients “discover the smarter way to buy or sell an Eichler home,” making the process as rewarding as the resultboyengarealestateteam.com. Whether you’re entrusting them to market a Fairorchard Eichler that’s been in your family for generations or to help you secure your very first mid-century modern home, you can be confident that their expertise, dedication, and strategic savvy will deliver an outcome that matches the excellence of the house itself. In an exclusive neighborhood like Fairorchard – where Sunnyvale Eichler homes rarely trade and each one carries a bit of mid-century magic – having true Eichler specialists on your side is the ultimate advantage. boyengarealestateteam.com

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