Fairorchard — Eichler's first Sunnyvale vision
Built in 1954 in Sunnyvale's southwest corner, Fairorchard is a 54-home tract of larger early Eichlers — 3 and 4 bedrooms, courtyard and atrium plans — that first hinted at the design language Eichler would become famous for. It's small, historic, quiet, and fed by some of the best schools in the city.
Where the Sunnyvale story starts
Fairorchard was Joseph Eichler's first project in Sunnyvale. Built in 1954, this intimate tract introduced 54 modern homes along Wright Avenue, Edmonton Avenue, Helena Drive, La Salle Drive and nearby Homestead Road. These early Sunnyvale Eichlers were larger than his prior efforts — roughly 1,370–1,890 square feet, 3 to 4 bedrooms — and were among the first to incorporate both courtyard and atrium models, hinting at features that would become Eichler trademarks.
Every house is subtly unique. They all share the clean lines of low-pitched roofs and open-beam construction, but variations in entry placement and facade treatment give each home its own personality — a deliberate, forward-thinking alternative to the cookie-cutter subdivisions of the era.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak grew up in a Fairorchard Eichler on Edmonton Avenue — a reminder that Eichler neighborhoods drew Silicon Valley innovators even in the 1950s.
Mid-1950s Eichler, before the template hardened
Fairorchard homes exemplify mid-1950s Eichler architecture: post-and-beam construction, floor-to-ceiling glass facing private backyards, and integrated indoor-outdoor spaces. Atriums were just emerging in Eichler's work at this point, and a number of Fairorchard houses were built with open-air central courtyards or atrium-like entry gardens — a genuine innovation in residential design for its day.
The tract's aesthetic is cohesive — flat or gently sloped roofs, grooved wood siding, minimal street-facing windows — yet no two houses are identical. Eichler's architects (likely Anshen & Allen or Jones & Emmons for this tract) achieved variety by shifting garage placements, entry orientations and facade treatments, creating visual interest lot by lot.
Fairorchard at a glance
- Built
- 1954 — Joseph Eichler's first Sunnyvale subdivision
- Size
- 54 homes; roughly 1,370–1,890 sq ft, 3–4 bedrooms
- Models
- Courtyard and early atrium plans — each house subtly different
- Streets
- Wright, Edmonton, Helena, La Salle Avenues and Homestead Road
- Schools
- West Valley Elementary, Cupertino Middle, Homestead High (Fremont Union High district)
- Setting
- Southwest Sunnyvale near the Los Altos / Cupertino border; Ortega and Serra Parks nearby; quick access to Homestead Rd and Foothill Expressway
- Price range
- Typically the low-to-mid $2 millions — higher per square foot than larger tracts, reflecting its size and schools
- The lore
- Steve Wozniak's childhood home is on Edmonton Avenue
- The draw
- Origin story, top schools, and a small tract where owners know each other
Fifty-four homes, and rarely more than one for sale
With only 54 houses — many still held by long-time owners or original families — turnover in Fairorchard is low and competition is high.
- Thin supply. When a Fairorchard Eichler does list, expect strong interest from buyers specifically seeking Cupertino-district schools and authentic Eichler design. Original, well-preserved homes often draw multiple offers.
- Prices. Generally the low-to-mid $2 millions, and on a per-square-foot basis a step above Sunnyvale's larger Eichler tracts because of the school assignment and scarcity.
- Appreciation. Values have climbed sharply over the past decade as Eichler aficionados bid aggressively for anything that comes up here.
- Condition matters. Many homes still flaunt original Philippine mahogany paneling and globe lights; tasteful period-appropriate renovations are the norm, and buyers pay for authenticity.
A tight-knit block with a serene, suburban feel
Despite its small size, Fairorchard has a family-friendly, close-knit atmosphere. Neighbors get to know each other on evening walks and at community events around Ortega and Serra Parks. The streets are quiet cul-de-sacs and low-traffic loops — safe for kids on bikes, and part of the relaxed feel.
There's real civic pride in maintaining the mid-century look. Pride of ownership runs high, and updated kitchens that still honor the Eichler aesthetic are common. It's a slice of Sunnyvale history for buyers who value top schools, Eichler character and a community of fellow Eichler lovers.
What to know before you offer
If Cupertino-district schools are your priority, Fairorchard is one of only two Sunnyvale Eichler neighborhoods that delivers them (Cherry Chase is the other). The trade-off is a very small, slow-moving market — be ready to move quickly and, often, to compete.
Inspect the core Eichler systems carefully: the roof (many are low-slope and need periodic maintenance), the radiant heating in the slab, and any past modifications. Decide up front how much originality matters to you.
Getting top dollar for your Eichler
Lean into scarcity and schools. A Fairorchard listing that is clearly marketed as an Eichler, with its courtyard or atrium and any original mahogany and globe lights shown off, tends to draw the right crowd fast.
Address deferred maintenance on the roof and radiant system before listing, or have quotes ready. Spring, with the atrium and garden at their best, is the strongest window.
Fairorchard, in pictures
Thinking about Fairorchard?
Send us the address or the block you're watching. We'll tell you the plan, the condition issues to expect, the comps, and what it's worth — by hand.