A Guide to Eichler Homes in Redwood City, California

Redwood City Eichlers – A Guide to Sequoia Meadows and Mid-Century Modern Living on the Peninsula

Redwood City, California is home to a rare and architecturally significant enclave of authentic Eichler homes — mid-century modern treasures set amid the diverse neighborhoods of the mid-Peninsula. Built in the early 1960s, these homes represent developer Joseph Eichler’s modernist vision brought to life on the sunny slopes between Woodside Plaza and Emerald Hill.

Unlike surrounding neighborhoods dominated by traditional ranch and contemporary remodels, the Sequoia Meadows Eichler tract remains a cohesive collection of true mid-century modern homes designed by Claude Oakland & Associates — one of Eichler’s most trusted architects. Today, this enclave stands as one of Redwood City’s most intact Eichler neighborhoods, a living showcase of California Modern design and community spirit.

This guide will help you locate Redwood City’s authentic Eichlers, understand their architectural DNA, distinguish them from lookalike modern homes, and appreciate their growing importance in the Peninsula real estate landscape.

Where to Find Redwood City’s Eichler Enclave

Redwood City’s primary Eichler development, Sequoia Meadows, was constructed between 1962 and 1964, toward the end of Eichler’s most experimental and refined design phase. You’ll find it tucked west of Alameda de las Pulgas near Roosevelt Avenue and Woodside Road, a quiet pocket that blends suburban calm with architectural sophistication.

The tract occupies a few intimate streets lined with mature trees and low, horizontal silhouettes — the unmistakable sign that you’ve entered Eichler territory. While Eichler built hundreds of homes across the Peninsula, Sequoia Meadows stands out for its architectural cohesion and neighborhood intimacy.

Originally developed by Eichler Homes, Inc., the project featured models by Claude Oakland, who was advancing Eichler’s signature ideas — light-filled atriums, exposed post-and-beam construction, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow — into more livable, upscale designs for the early 1960s buyer.

Despite its proximity to bustling arterials, Sequoia Meadows feels secluded. The streets are quiet, the lots generous, and the architecture unmistakably modern.

Architectural Hallmarks of Redwood City Eichlers

Each home in Sequoia Meadows embodies the essential Eichler principles — simplicity, openness, connection to nature — while adapting to Redwood City’s sunny microclimate and gentle terrain.

Post-and-Beam Construction

The hallmark of every true Eichler, this system of exposed beams and structural honesty creates wide, column-free interiors. In Sequoia Meadows, you’ll see beams extending seamlessly from indoors to outdoors, emphasizing the home’s horizontal rhythm and modern profile.

Atriums and Courtyards

Many Sequoia Meadows models include an open-air atrium at the heart of the home — Eichler’s revolutionary concept for indoor-outdoor living. Entering through a modest façade, you arrive not in a living room but in a tranquil courtyard flooded with natural light. Even non-atrium layouts maintain an airy connection through large sliding glass doors and patios.

Walls of Glass

Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass panels are defining traits of the neighborhood. They create transparency between living spaces and gardens, turning the outdoors into an extension of the interior. From the street, these homes often appear introverted; step inside, and they open dramatically toward nature.

Low or Flat Rooflines

Eichlers in Redwood City typically feature low-slung or flat rooflines with broad eaves. Some incorporate signature “gallery” roof forms or gentle double-gables — an evolution of the designs seen in Palo Alto and Sunnyvale tracts. The restrained roof profiles enhance privacy and reinforce the horizontal emphasis that defines mid-century modern design.

Natural Materials

Authentic Eichlers favor vertical wood siding, tongue-and-groove ceilings, and warm Philippine mahogany wall panels. Brick and stone are rare, keeping the palette natural and understated. Even in remodeled examples, many owners have preserved original materials, a testament to their timeless appeal.

Radiant Heated Floors

Built on concrete slabs with radiant heating, Sequoia Meadows Eichlers offer the quiet comfort and warmth that Joseph Eichler famously championed. This invisible design innovation helped define his homes’ minimalist aesthetic — no baseboards, vents, or visible ducts to interrupt the clean lines.

Indoor–Outdoor Living

Perhaps the defining feature: every Eichler in Sequoia Meadows orients living spaces toward private gardens or patios. Whether through atriums, courtyards, or rear glass walls, these homes embody California’s climate and lifestyle — merging shelter with sunlight.

True Eichlers vs. Lookalike Moderns

Because Eichler’s influence was so profound, many 1950s–60s homes in Redwood City adopt similar modernist cues. However, discerning a true Eichler from an “Eichler-inspired” design requires a few insider tips:

• Location: Genuine Eichlers are concentrated within Sequoia Meadows. A mid-century home outside this tract may be “Eichler-esque,” but not built by Eichler Homes, Inc.

• Architectural Lineage: True Eichlers were designed by Claude Oakland & Associates for Joseph Eichler. Other local builders borrowed the look — open beams, glass walls — but lacked Eichler’s structural precision and social vision.

• Floor Plan & Entry Sequence: Authentic Eichlers often conceal their front doors behind a privacy wall or fence and lead directly into an atrium or view corridor — not a traditional foyer.

• Roof and Facade: Flat or low-pitched roofs with minimal street-facing windows distinguish Eichlers from typical ranches, which often have gabled roofs or picture windows.

• Interior Materials: Mahogany paneling, globe pendant lights, and radiant slab floors are reliable Eichler signatures.

Knowing these markers helps buyers identify authentic Eichlers and appreciate their architectural integrity within Redwood City’s diverse mid-century landscape.

Scarcity and Significance in Redwood City’s Market

Compared to nearby Eichler hubs like Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, or San Mateo Highlands, Redwood City’s supply of authentic Eichlers is small — and shrinking. That rarity fuels demand. With limited turnover and loyal ownership, Sequoia Meadows homes are tightly held and often sell off-market or through agent networks like the Boyenga Team’s Eichler alerts.

The Sequoia Meadows Eichlers also hold cultural significance. They represent one of the last waves of Eichler development on the Peninsula and reflect the architectural maturity of Eichler’s later years — larger footprints, refined layouts, and improved materials. More than just homes, they are symbols of a social ideal: design for everyone, openness, and community.

The neighborhood’s enduring cohesion owes much to owners who respect its heritage. Many have preserved atriums, siding, and original fenestration, maintaining Sequoia Meadows as one of the best-preserved Eichler enclaves on the mid-Peninsula.

Redwood City Eichler Market Insights

In Redwood City’s evolving real estate market, Eichlers command a premium for design, authenticity, and location. Recent sales show these homes trading between $2.2 million and $3.5 million, depending on size, condition, and upgrades — competitive with luxury remodels in nearby Woodside Plaza or Emerald Hill.

Factors driving value include:

• Architectural pedigree – authentic Eichler homes designed by Claude Oakland

• Larger lots and private settings – typically 7,000–9,000 sq. ft.

• Open floor plans – appealing to modern buyers

• Proximity to downtown Redwood City and major tech employers – adding lifestyle convenience to architectural desirability

Even in fluctuating markets, Eichlers tend to outperform traditional comparables due to their loyal buyer base and timeless appeal. Thoughtful renovations — ones that preserve the mid-century spirit while modernizing systems — often see the highest returns.

Buying or Selling a Redwood City Eichler

Because inventory is extremely limited, the best way to secure a Redwood City Eichler is to work directly with an Eichler specialist who tracks these homes year-round. The Boyenga Team offers early access to listings, off-market opportunities, and exclusive alerts for Eichler and mid-century modern homes across the Peninsula.

Whether you’re dreaming of restoring an atrium classic, buying your first modern home, or preparing to sell a cherished property, the right representation makes all the difference.

To stay ahead of upcoming listings, sign up for exclusive Redwood City Eichler alerts or schedule a consultation with the Boyenga Team, Compass founding partners and California’s leading Eichler experts.

Eric & Janelle Boyenga
Founding Partners | The Boyenga Team at Compass
📞 Call/Text: 408-373-1660
📧 Email: homes@boyenga.com
🌐 www.BoyengaTeam.com | www.EichlerHomesForSale.com
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