Hofmann, Arthur and Mona, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1937 at 1048 La Cuesta Road in Hillsborough, this stucco-clad house was designed by Richard J. Neutra for Arthur and Mona Hofmann. It has a flat-roofed three-story block with wings that step down the slope, white walls, and running bands of casement windows that wrap around corners, all hallmarks of the International Style. The house drew attention in the architectural press and won awards from Good Housekeeping and House Beautiful in 1938. That publicity helped bring Neutra eight more residential commissions in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1937 and 1940. Most of those houses have been altered, and this one is among the least changed and the largest. A 1937 mural, "El Tigrero," by artist Antonio Sotomayor remains on a wall of the southwest wing. Alterations in 1983 included converting the garage to a library, adding a conservatory and carport, and building a pool, while the street and garden elevations kept their character.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding example of Richard Neutra's San Francisco Bay Area work and of the International Style. Its publication and two design awards in 1938 led to eight further Neutra residential commissions in the Bay Area between 1937 and 1940. It is one of the least altered and largest of those houses.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 91000926, listed August 5, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1048 La Cuesta Rd., Hillsborough |
|---|---|
| County | San Mateo County |
| Listed | August 5, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000926 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1937 |
| Architect / builder | Neutra, Richard Joseph |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement: International Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still a single dwelling; restored in 1983 and described as in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.55081, -122.34900 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 91000926.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q100924524
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.