Concord Mid-Century Modern Homes

Concord Mid-Century Modern Homes: A Property Nerd’s Guide 

Mid-Century Modern Homes in Concord, California

Mid-century modern residences emphasize clean lines, flat or low-pitched roofs, and seamless indoor–outdoor integration, a design philosophy popularized in places like Palm Springs and later adopted across California. In Concord, CA, this architectural style emerged in the post–World War II era through both tract developments and custom-designed homes. Concord’s Mid-Century Modern (MCM) architecture generally dates from the 1940s through the 1970s, peaking in the early 1960s with Joseph Eichler’s developments. According to sources such as Eichler Network eichlernetwork.com and Eichler Homes for Sale eichlerhomesforsale.com, Eichler Homes constructed approximately 175 homes in Concord between 1963 and 1965 across three neighborhoods.

These Eichler homes were designed by prominent architects including Claude Oakland and the firm Jones & Emmons, and they showcase hallmark elements of California modernism: open floorplans, post-and-beam construction, radiant floor heating, and extensive glass walls that blur the line between interior and exterior living, as detailed by The Plan Collection theplancollection.com) and Eichler Homes for Sale eichlerhomesforsale.com. Beyond Eichler, Concord also saw broader mid-century trends influenced by ranch-style suburban homes, with architects emphasizing honest materials, flat or gently sloped roofs, and integration with nature theplancollection.com. While builders like Streng Bros. were active elsewhere in Northern California, Concord’s mid-century portfolio remains dominated by Eichlers and a smaller number of custom modern ranch homes. Across all these properties, the enduring appeal lies in light-filled interiors and a functional, minimalist ethos that continues to feel timeless theplancollection.com ; eichlerhomesforsale.com.

Eichler vs. Other Mid-Century Homes in Concord

Concord’s Eichler tract homes feature distinctive architectural characteristics that clearly separate them from other mid-century houses in the area. Eichler homes typically feature flat or gently pitched roofs with deep overhangs, open atrium courtyards, and radiant-floor heating—features rarely found in standard ranch or tract homes of the same era. In contrast, many non-Eichler MCM homes, including ranch-style developments and Streng-inspired designs, tend to feature gabled or A-frame roofs, conventional forced-air heating, and fewer floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Key Differences :

• Feature: Roof
  Eichler Homes: Flat or low-slope roof with wide overhangs and post-and-beam construction theplancollection.com
  Other MCM Homes: Steeper gables or A-frame roofs typical of mid-century ranch designs

• Feature: Entry / Atrium
  Eichler Homes: Central open atrium or skylit courtyard is common sfgate.com
  Other MCM Homes: Enclosed foyer or front porch; few true courtyards

• Feature: Layout
  Eichler Homes: Open-concept, single-story layouts (typically 3–4 bedrooms, 2 baths) theplancollection.com
  Other MCM Homes: More conventional ranch layouts; some two-story plans

• Feature: Windows / Glass
  Eichler Homes: Walls of glass, sliding doors, and clerestory windows theplancollection.com
  Other MCM Homes: Standard-sized windows with less emphasis on outdoor views

• Feature: Structure
  Eichler Homes: Post-and-beam framing with exposed wood paneling theplancollection.com
  Other MCM Homes: Conventional stud-wall construction with drywall interiors

• Feature: Heating
  Eichler Homes: Built-in radiant floor heating theplancollection.com
  Other MCM Homes: Forced-air furnaces or wall heaters

• Feature: Interior Finishes
  Eichler Homes: Tongue-and-groove wood ceilings and minimal trim sfgate.com
  Other MCM Homes: Hardwood or carpet floors with conventional millwork

• Feature: Garage / Carport
  Eichler Homes: Integrated carports or garages designed into the plan theplancollection.com
  Other MCM Homes: Garages or carports set off to the side

Overall, Eichler homes embody the California Modern “golden rectangle” concept, while other mid-century homes in Concord reflect more traditional suburban ranch layouts. Real estate experts often note that a Concord Eichler—such as the CC-174R model—is explicitly described as being “built around an atrium, exemplifying iconic post-and-beam mid-century architecture,” a combination rarely found outside Eichler tracts sfgate.com. In short, Eichler homes in Concord are defined by distinctive modernist hallmarks—atriums, radiant heating, and expansive glazing—that many other 1950s–60s homes lack heplancollection.com ; sfgate.com.

Notable Concord Mid-Century Neighborhoods

Concord’s Mid-Century Modern homes are concentrated in several well-defined neighborhoods, particularly the city’s three Eichler tracts.

Rancho del Diablo (Southeast Concord) is the largest Eichler tract in the city, built in the early 1960s and consisting of approximately 50 homes. Designed by Claude Oakland and Jones & Emmons, these homes display classic Eichler post-and-beam construction and open-plan design eichlerhomesforsale.com.

Rancho de los Santos, located adjacent to Rancho del Diablo, is a smaller Eichler enclave of roughly 20 homes completed around 1964–65. Designed by Oakland & Imada, it is the smallest of the three tracts and is known for its angled streets and generous yard space .eichlerhomesforsale.com; zillow.com.

Parkwood Estates, situated west of downtown Concord, contains approximately 68 Eichler homes built between 1963 and 1965. This tract includes rare A-frame and double A-frame models alongside classic flat-roof atrium designs and is sometimes referred to as the Parkside project sfgate.com; zillow.com.

All three tracts feature underground utilities and cul-de-sacs, enhancing their mid-century character. Beyond Eichlers, other mid-century neighborhoods include Crawford Village and Canterbury near downtown Concord, which feature 1950s–60s ranch-style homes close to BART stations redfin.com, as well as College Park, Arlington Estates, and areas along the Pleasant Hill border that include custom modern ranch homes but no Eichlers.

As noted by Eichler Network, Concord has historically been a family-oriented, middle-class community, which helped preserve many original Eichler homes (https://www.eichlernetwork.com). A dedicated local community of Eichler enthusiasts—even multigenerational families—has played a major role in maintaining the architectural integrity of Rancho del Diablo, Rancho de los Santos, and Parkwood Estates eichlernetwork.com.

Market Trends: Pricing and Demand

Concord’s Mid-Century Modern homes have experienced strong appreciation and sustained buyer demand. According to Redfin, the median asking price for Concord homes listed as “Mid Century” is approximately $689,000 redfin.com, though Eichler homes command a significant premium. For example, a 1964 Eichler in Parkwood Estates recently listed for $1.375 million—an extraordinary increase compared to prices a decade ago sfgate.com.

Eichlers were once considered sleeper deals; in 2013, one Concord Eichler sold for just $373,000, with the owner noting how undervalued the area felt at the time eichlernetwork.com. By 2025, similar homes regularly sell above $1 million, though they still trade at a discount compared to Eichlers in Walnut Creek or Lafayette eichlernetwork.com. Demand remains high, with multiple offers common and homes often going pending in under 50 days.redfin.com. Buyers are typically design-oriented professionals in their 30s and 40s, including architects and creatives eichlernetwork.com.

Lifestyle Benefits of Concord MCM Living

Living in a Concord Mid-Century Modern home offers a lifestyle centered on light, openness, and connection to nature. Open layouts, glass walls, private courtyards, and generous lots—often between 6,000 and 10,000 square feet—create ideal spaces for entertaining and everyday living redfin.com; zillow.com. Proximity to BART, major highways, regional parks, and downtown amenities further enhances the appeal. As noted by Modern Green Homes, Concord offers easy access to public transit, town centers, and outdoor recreation, making it an ideal balance between urban convenience and suburban space moderngreenhomes.com.

Preservation and Renovation

Preserving a mid-century home in Concord requires thoughtful updates that respect original design elements such as mahogany paneling, tongue-and-groove ceilings, and built-in cabinetry. Successful renovations often modernize kitchens, bathrooms, roofing, and HVAC systems while maintaining architectural integrity. As one listing described, a restored Eichler can serve as “a masterclass in preserving the integrity of Eichler design while embracing modern comforts” sfgate.com. While maintenance can be complex—especially regarding radiant heating systems and flat roofs—the reward is a home that blends historic design with modern livability.

The Boyenga Team: Mid-Century Real Estate Specialists

The Boyenga Team is widely recognized as a leading authority on Mid-Century Modern and Eichler real estate. Operating the EichlerHomesForSale.com platform, they brand themselves as “Your Eichler Home Experts” and provide specialized services tailored to these iconic properties.eichlerhomesforsale.com. For Concord buyers and sellers, the Boyenga Team offers deep architectural knowledge, targeted marketing strategies, and expert guidance on everything from valuation to renovation considerations. Their niche expertise ensures that Concord’s Mid-Century Modern homes are represented with the respect, accuracy, and visibility they deserve eichlerhomesforsale.com.