Comprehensive Guide to the Fairview/Monta Loma Eichler Neighborhood in Mountain View
Nestled in Mountain View’s Monta Loma neighborhood is one of Silicon Valley’s largest concentrations of Joseph Eichler’s mid-century modern homes. The Fairview Eichler tract was built in 1954 by developer Joseph Eichler (architects Jones & Emmons) and includes roughly 200 Eichler houses eichlerhomesforsale.com. These single-story ranch homes were designed with about 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and ~1,116 sq ft of living space eichlerhomesforsale.com, reflecting Eichler’s goal to bring modern design to middle-class families. (Monta Loma also contains Eichler-style subdivisions by other builders from the same era.)
Interestingly, Monta Loma’s mid-century landscape wasn’t shaped by Eichler alone. Contemporary developer John Mackay built a nearby tract with very similar modernist homes (architects Anshen & Allen) eichlerhomesforsale.com. In fact, the Monta Loma area also includes Mackay and Mardell-built homes that complement the Eichler style eichlerhomesforsale.com. The upshot is a remarkably cohesive enclave: Eichler and Mackay houses alike feature flat, low-slung rooflines, clerestory windows, and vast walls of glass. Together they give Fairview/Monta Loma a distinctive character while blending seamlessly.
Key Architectural Features (Mid-Century Modern Design):
Open, post-and-beam floor plans: Interior spaces flow with minimal walls, as the roof is carried on exterior beams eichlerhomesforsale.com. The result is a very open living area.
Abundant natural light: Floor-to-ceiling windows and clerestory skylights wash the homes in daylight eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Indoor-outdoor integration: Many homes center on a private atrium or patio, making the garden a functional “outdoor room.” Living rooms and kitchens often open via sliding glass doors directly to these courtyards eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Natural wood and materials: Exposed wood ceilings, beams and paneled walls (often mahogany) are hallmark trims, adding warmth and texture eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Minimalist simplicity: These homes’ value lies “not in size or ornamentation but in… minimalist design [and] connection to nature”eichlerhomesforsale.com. Unlike ornate luxury houses, Eichlers feel modern and uncluttered.
A classic Fairview Eichler exterior: note the flat roof and wall of glass with clerestory window. Despite modern upgrades (updated kitchen, new HVAC, etc.), the home’s original open plan and warm wood finishes remain evident eichlerhomesforsale.com. Over time, many owners have sensitively updated kitchens, baths and systems to contemporary standards, but the original layout and character are almost always preserved eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Real Estate Market Dynamics
Mountain View’s housing market is famously competitive, and Monta Loma’s Eichlers occupy a special niche. Very few Eichler homes come up for sale – of the ~275 Eichlers in Mountain View, about 200 are in Monta Loma eichlerhomesforsale.com, and typically only a handful hit the market each year eichlerhomesforsale.com. When one does list, it usually triggers a feeding frenzy of showings and offers. Over the past few years Eichler prices have risen sharply: a 3-bed Monta Loma Eichler now often sells in the $1.9–2.2 million range eichlerhomesforsale.com, even though its ~1,200 sq ft footprint is smaller than many Silicon Valley tract homes. (By comparison, Mountain View’s overall median house price in mid-2024 was about $2.73M.) In contrast, the newer Bell Meadows Eichler tract (built 1972–73, larger 4-bed atrium models) has seen sales into the mid-$3M’s eichlerhomesforsale.com, underscoring the premium buyers place on larger Eichler models.
Key market highlights include:
Limited Inventory: Eichlers rarely appear for sale. Buyers often face multiple offers (sometimes off-market) on any Monta Loma Eichler listing eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Price per Sq Ft: Mountain View’s price per square foot has jumped dramatically in recent years (from about $1,361 in early 2021 to $1,753 by mid-2024). This underscores the high-demand, high-cost environment that Eichlers are in.
Steady Appreciation: Eichlers have proven to be stable investments. Their values have kept pace with Silicon Valley’s growth – as one analysis notes, mid-century homes in the Bay Area are seen as a “timeless, solid investment” eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Fast Sales: Homes here turn over quickly. As of 2024 the typical Mountain View house spent only ~17 days on market. Eichlers, if priced well, often sell in a matter of days.
Premium Pricing: Fairview Eichlers frequently command prices above ordinary code-built homes of similar size. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for the authentic Eichler design and prime Mountain View location (near tech employers and top schools).
In practice, these dynamics mean sellers can expect strong pricing and prompt offers. For example, in late 2024 an updated 3BR Eichler on Alvin Street sold for about $2.05M after multiple bids eichlerhomesforsale.com. Even during market slowdowns, Eichlers tend to hold their value better than average; their scarcity and desirability provide a buffer.
Parks, Recreation, and Community Amenities
Monta Loma residents enjoy abundant amenities close to home. The neighborhood itself is a quiet, tree-lined residential area, but just a few blocks away the options multiply:
Monta Loma Park (Thompson Ave): A large local park with baseball and basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic tables and open lawnsmontaloma.org. It serves as a community hub – the Monta Loma Neighborhood Association hosts summer concerts, Fourth of July festivities, and an annual ice-cream social here.
Rengstorff Park & Pool: Adjacent on Rengstorff Avenue, this city-run park offers sports fields, tennis and volleyball courts, a skate plaza, picnic facilities and a year-round swimming poolmontaloma.org. In 2025 it added the Magical Bridge Playgroundmontaloma.org, an acclaimed inclusive play area with wheelchair-accessible swings and sensory features, widely praised for families in the region.
Historic Rengstorff House: A beautifully restored 1867 Italianate mansion moved to Shoreline Park. Once the home of pioneer Henry Rengstorff, it now functions as a museum and community event spacepastheritage.org, giving locals a direct link to Mountain View’s history.
Shoreline at Mountain View: Just north of Monta Loma lies Shoreline Park, a 750-acre regional park with a man-made lake for boating and paddleboarding, an 18-hole golf course, equestrian center and miles of multi-use trails eichlerhomesforsale.com. It’s a recreation mecca for kayaking, cycling and hiking, and hosts community events year-round.
Downtown Mountain View (Castro Street corridor): Only a few minutes’ drive or bike ride away, downtown Mountain View offers high-end grocery stores (Whole Foods, Nob Hill), boutique shops, wine bars, the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts and a thriving restaurant scene. The famous weekly Mountain View Farmers’ Market draws crowds each Saturday. Nearby, the Shoreline Amphitheatre brings major concerts and cultural events to the area eichlerhomesforsale.com.
A summer evening at Monta Loma Park (Thompson Ave) captures the neighborhood’s family-friendly vibe. Children play on the playground and on the lawn, with mid-century Eichler homes seen in the backgroundmontaloma.org. In short, Fairview/Monta Loma strikes a balance between suburban calm and ready access to Silicon Valley’s outdoor and cultural amenities.
Schools and Education
Education is a major draw for Monta Loma families. The neighborhood is served by the Mountain View–Whisman School District (MVWSD), which boasts high test scores and innovative programs montaloma.org. Specifically:
Monta Loma Elementary (TK–5): The local elementary school (460 Thompson Ave) is known for excellence – it earned the California Distinguished School award in 2014mv-voice.com. MVWSD also offers popular programs like Spanish immersion and Gifted & Talented Educationmontaloma.org.
Crittenden Middle School (6–8): Formerly Graham Middle School, Crittenden serves most Monta Loma kids for grades 6–8montaloma.org. It has a diverse curriculum including music, arts and STEM classes.
Mountain View High School (9–12): The city’s public high school (Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District) is highly rated – SchoolDigger ranks it among the top schools in California with a five-star rating schooldigger.com.
Los Altos High School (9–12): Also in MV-LA USD, many Monta Loma families opt for Los Altos High via district choice or open enrollment. Los Altos High is routinely ranked among the top 20 public high schools in Californiamontaloma.org.
St. Francis High School (9–12, private): A nationally recognized Catholic college-prep school (all-girls) located in Mountain View. It is consistently ranked among the state’s elite high schools eichlerhomesforsale.com.
In addition, nearby private schools include Castilleja (Los Altos), Harker (San Jose), Priory (San Jose) and Pinewood (Los Altos Hills). For higher education, Foothill College in Los Altos Hills and Stanford University are only a few miles away. Altogether, Monta Loma children have access to some of the Bay Area’s best public and private schools at every level.
The Boyenga Team: Silicon Valley Eichler Experts
For buyers and sellers in Monta Loma’s Eichler community, partnering with the right real estate team is critical. The Boyenga Team (Eric and Janelle Boyenga) are widely regarded as Silicon Valley’s mid-century modern specialists eichlerhomesforsale.com. They have operated since 1996, selling dozens of Eichler homes in Mountain View and the surrounding region. Industry sources call them the “Property Nerds” for their data-driven approach eichlerhomesforsale.com, and Zillow even designated them as #NextGen agents for their innovative marketing strategies compass.com.
What clients get with the Boyenga Team:
Proven Track Record: Ranked among the Wall Street Journal’s Top 100 U.S. teams, with over $2.1 billion in career sales and 1,950+ homes sold compass.com. This extraordinary volume places them in the top 0.0001% of agents nationwide, ensuring clients benefit from their deep market knowledge and extensive support infrastructure.
Mid-Century Modern Specialists: They have sold dozens of Eichler and mid-century homes. Eric and Janelle possess an encyclopedic understanding of Eichler architecture – from the original Jones & Emmons floorplans to authentic renovation techniques eichlerhomesforsale.com. This expertise gives buyers and sellers confidence that every Eichler detail (atriums, radiant floors, original fixtures, etc.) is handled thoughtfully.
Advanced Marketing: Every Eichler listing utilizes Compass’s high-end marketing platform: professional photography and video, immersive 3D Matterport tours, drone imagery, and targeted online/social campaigns eichlerhomesforsale.com. These polished materials highlight each home’s design and attract buyers who appreciate mid-century style.
Exclusive Access: Buyers on the Boyenga Team’s radar often learn of Eichler listings before they hit the general market. The team maintains an extensive network of local agents and homeowners; their Eichler email alerts and off-market leads eichlerhomesforsale.com give clients a valuable head start in this competitive niche.
Strong Negotiation & Service: Sellers benefit from Eric’s precise pricing analytics and Janelle’s staging expertise to maximize value. Buyers get a calm, educated advocate; one seller raved that working with the Boyengas was “calm, non-hectic, and an enjoyable time,” citing their thorough market analysis and smooth transaction management compass.com.
Industry Leadership: The Boyengas are leaders beyond their own sales. Founding partners of Compass Silicon Valley and members of Zillow’s Agent Advisory Board and Forbes’ Real Estate Council compass.com, they leverage the latest tools and industry insights for their clients.
In sum, the Boyenga Team uniquely combines local Eichler expertise with cutting-edge technology and white-glove service. Buyers and sellers in Monta Loma trust them to deliver a superior real estate experience.
Why Monta Loma Eichlers Are Special
The Fairview Eichler tract is a rare blend of historic design and Silicon Valley convenience. Residents enjoy iconic architecture in a quiet, leafy neighborhood. At the same time, the core of the tech industry is right at their doorstep: Mountain View hosts headquarters and campuses for Google, LinkedIn, Intuit and others eichlerhomesforsale.com, making commutes short. For quality of life, Monta Loma residents draw on all the Bay Area has to offer: beaches and redwood parks are just 30–40 minutes away, and downtown Mountain View’s downtown provides high-end dining, shopping and the popular Castro Street Theater eichlerhomesforsale.com.
A strong community and excellent schools add to the appeal. The Monta Loma Neighborhood Association is very active (organizing block parties, park clean-ups and community events), reflecting the friendly, small-town atmosphere. With multiple top-ranked public schools (plus private choices) nearby, families have access to outstanding education. Even the older population is engaged: many retirees enjoy strolls in the park or volunteer in the city’s programs.
Finally, Monta Loma Eichlers tend to be solid long-term investments. Their distinct style and quality construction have maintained their value through market swings eichlerhomesforsale.com. In fact, many owners say they never tire of their homes’ design – and this lasting appreciation makes them “timeless” assets. As one Eichler guide observes, these homes are prized “not for ornament, but for their minimalist design, seamless connection to nature, and the unique lifestyle they provide”eichlerhomesforsale.com, qualities that continue to attract buyers.
In conclusion, the Fairview/Monta Loma Eichler neighborhood combines mid-century modern charm with a vibrant, amenity-rich community. With its strong school system, parks, downtown access and the dedicated expertise of the Boyenga “Property Nerds” at hand, living here truly represents architectural heritage meeting modern Silicon Valley living eichlerhomesforsale.com.
Sources: Comprehensive neighborhood and market data were drawn from Mountain View real estate guides and school district reports eichlerhomesforsale.com