1435 Lexington St., Santa Clara, CA 95050
September 12, 2024
Historical & Landmarks Commission
City of Santa Clara
Re: Statement of Justification for 1435 Lexington St.
We began our journey of purchasing our first home in early 2020. Having grown up in the Bay Area, I knew the South Bay would be a convenient location for commuting to our jobs, so we set out to find a modest home with a yard big enough to entertain our two dogs. We eventually purchased a charming home in Northside San Jose that not only met the “dog requirement” but also had a certain presence as a craftsman style home that sat above street level. The exterior of the home gave it so much charac ter, but, over the years, prior owners had removed most of the original features in the interior.
When we realized we’d outgrown our first home, we began the search for our next home. My wife has always loved historic homes and, having realized with our first home that this was something we both appreciated, one of the main features we were looking for was a home with character. We were also looking for a home surrounded by a close community; somewhere we could see ourselves living for at least the next decade and potentially raising a family.
When we saw the listing for 1435 Lexington, we fell in love immediately. The running joke (which is actually true) is that we submitted our offer before both of us were even able to see the house in person; only my wife was able to make the open house. That was enough and the rest, as they say, was history.
We loved the large bay windows, the carved and gingerbread trim, and the presence the home has from the street. We understand that most of the interior has been altered from the original given that the h ouse was in a dilapidated state when the prior owner bought the home, but we appreciate the period details like the high ceilings, beautiful fireplace, ceiling medallions and crown molding. We also value the fact that the house is in a historic neighborhood surrounded by other beautifully restored and maintained homes.
In the coming years, we intend to continue beautifying and upgrading our new home and making it our own. Moreover, we understand that, when we moved into 1435 Lexington and the Old Quad, we didn’t just move into our future home; we became members of a community and neighborhood, the characteristics of which can’t be maintained by one person or household alone. It takes a conscious effort from all stakeholders to do so, and submitting our application for a Mills Act Contract is our signal of our intent to do our part.