During the building boom of the 1950s, John Mackay was one of Joseph Eichler’s biggest competitors in the South Bay. Working with one of Eichler’s favorite architectural firms, Anshen + Allen, Mackay built several hundred homes that were similar in style to the homes Joseph Eichler was building. Often mistaken as Eichlers, many of the Mackay homes feature an enclosed patio (which Mackay marketed as a California Courtyard), built in appliances, Eichler-style roofs, post-and-beam construction, and large expanses of windows. What sets the Mackays apart is that many of them were built on conventional foundations, as opposed to Eichler’s slabs; and most Mackay homes feature forced air heat rather than the radiant heat that is typical in an Eichler home.
Perhaps one of the most famous Mackay homes is the one Steve Jobs grew up in in Mountain View. Mistakenly tagged as an Eichler, the Jobs’ home, on Diablo Avenue, is part of the Monta Loma neighborhood – where you’ll also find the 200 home Eichler community of Fairview.
Eichler-style Mackay homes can also be found in Santa Clara and Palo Alto. The almost 200 Mackay homes in Palo Alto are located in a tract near the intersection of Louis Road and Loma Verde Avenue. They were built contemporaneously with the Eichlers in nearby Midfair and Royal Manor.
Santa Clara is home to three Mackay neighborhoods: Sunshine Meadows, Maywood, and Fairmede. Although there are 2 Eichler condominium developments in Santa Clara, there are no single-family Eichler homes. The Mackay homes offer a nice alternative to residents looking for an Eichler style home in that area.
Contact us if you are planning to purchase or sell an Eichler or Mackay - our team of experienced Realtors is here to help.
Keller Williams Palo Alto
