Green Gables

Green Gables is a Palo Alto subdivision of 63 single-story houses built in 1950 by developer Joseph Eichler. Located along Channing Avenue, Ivy Lane, Greer Road and Wildwood Lane, the homes use slab-on-grade post-and-beam construction, redwood siding, flat or gently sloping rooflines, wide overhangs, brick fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling glass facing rear patios. Two plans were offered, one with a garage and one with a carport, and interiors followed an open plan inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian houses. The subdivision was listed for architecture because it is a well-preserved early example of Mid-Century Modern tract housing. 1950 was the first year Eichler hired the architectural firm of Robert Anshen and Steve Allen, at a time when few merchant builders used architects. A survey scoring alterations such as second stories, replaced siding and changed garage doors classed most houses as contributing and the rest as non-contributing. Sidewalks, curbs and street lighting remain intact.