Designed by A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons for Joseph Eichler, the 1,800-square-foot home at 28 Arcangel Way was built in 1960 and was the model home for the San Rafael development.
Preserved in pristine condition by its current owners, one of whom happens to be an executive at Design Within Reach (no, it’s not staged), the home has been featured in and on Dwell, Elle Décor, and has served as the setting for a number of catalogs (yes, including DWR).
The kitchen cabinetry, Philippine mahogany walls, exposed brick fireplace and mint condition bathroom are original, but the tile flooring, insulated foam roof, Nelson Bubble lights and new boiler are all upgrades, as is the re-done laundry room.
And the three-bedroom, two-bath home, which sits on a two-parcel lot, has just hit the market in Marin listed for $1.15 million.
nice enough time capsule but that kitchen looks like murder to actually use.
Why? And why does everyone think they need a chef’s kitchen in which to enjoy their Spoonrocket delivery?
[Editor’s Note: We’re assuming that was intended as ironic. But for those who might not know, SpoonRocket shut down yesterday.]
“murder to actually use”… depends on how you cook (or how hard murder is for you), no?
Kitchen is sub-optimal but totally workable. The worst I’ve seen was in Eureka Valley. It featured just one cabinet and the only countertop was on top of the dishwasher.
The photographer did an awesome job capturing the essence of an Eichler. If you can visually exclude that superfluous settee in the first interior shot foreground, it tells the whole story.
It’s beautiful. Bring ’em back! Stop the McMansion madness! This is what affordable housing used to look like!
There were so many great features … the light … the integrated indoor outdoor spaces … radiant heat (mmmmm) … all electric kitchen, not so much (but, it was ultra modern back in the day).
All this house needs is a kidney shaped pool!
Somebody is bringing them back!
houses available here. plans available here.
Could not agree more! I am so tired of the McMansion madness, and just love everything about this house, including the kitchen. I love that Eichler homes did not have the sea of ceiling can lights spewed about on so many “custom” San Francisco McMansion remodels. I would prefer a home like this with the “kidney shaped pool” to all the 10,000 square foot “Italian” homes going up near my parent’s home on the Peninsula.
It is a super-cool house and probably a good buy long term. Why can’t we have more housing like this? Because doing so relies on quarter-acre suburban lots in a quantity for a builder to achieve economies of scale…
Like semiconductors and gold mining millionaires, we don’t want to make those lots in the Bay Area any more.
nor should we unless we want every square acre of farmland and open space to be absorbed.
I’m not sure it follows that every square acre of farmland would be absorbed, but for the most part I agree that limiting suburban sprawl leads to a more pleasant environment for those who already (or can afford to begin to) live here.
We’re unlikely to have more Eichler-type communities near to San Francisco. That’s one of the reasons this looks like a decent buy to me…
There are some fine 0-lot line Eichlers in Diamond Heights. Its just called good design.
I know there are some up there. What’s your favorite example? I really only personally know the San Rafael Eichlers….
Gold Mine Dr. and Amber Dr.
There are also a bunch in south Palo Alto as well as in San Jose. Probably a few other pockets spread around the inner Bay Area.
Bunker Hill in San Carlos or RWC or whatever that area is, holds tours every year. That’s the largest contiguous neighborhood I know of.
There are some in the Oakland Hills and also in Castro Valley.
UPDATE: Museum Quality Eichler Touted for Its Bones
UPDATE: The Model Eichler Dwelling Fetches $780 per Square Foot.