El Centro Gardens | Eichler Neighborhood Palo Alto

  • Within the greater Barron Park neighborhood of Palo Alto, there are three different Eichler subdivisions. One of these three is El Centro Gardens. This particular development is unique for Eichler Homes because it was their first attempt at “total community planning.” The homes in El Centro gardens are arranged around a cruciform network of roadways, transforming the typical suburban cul-de-sac into a unique central space. This design was the first of its kind and gave the subdivision formal distinction from the masses and emphasized neighborhood design that promotes social cohesion. There are 16 homes in El Centro Gardens and they were completed in 1950 under the watchful eye of designer Anshen + Allen. In 1950, the December issue of Architectural Forum Magazine featured El Centro in their “Subdivision of the Year” article. Today, El Centro Gardens is still a beloved Eichler neighborhood with residents who continue to uphold Eichlers ideals of community living. As an older neighborhood, El Centro Gardens has watched Palo Alto and the greater Silicon Valley transform into the bay area we know today. Now, the Palo Alto area is one of the most sought-after places to live in the state. As a worldwide tech hub, Palo Alto is home to companies like HP, Tesla, Skype, and VMware with tech giants Apple, Google, and Facebook all in neighboring cities. The Palo Alto School District is currently ranked #1 in the state of California and there are a plethora of top-ranked private schools in and around the city. Downtown Palo Alto is a charming combination of small-town accessibility and urban ambience. Outdoor cafes, tiny coffee shops, bookstores, mom-and-pop specialty shops, national chains, art galleries, two movie theaters, and numerous restaurants attract shoppers, eaters, and entertainment-seekers of all ages.
    • Eichler Developments By Neighborhood & Listed In Chronological Order: