Some Representative Streets

Barroilhet (upper), El Arroyo, El Centro, Eucalyptus (upper), Farm Lane, Homeplace Court, La Canada, La Cumbre, San Raymundo, Stonepine

THE STORY

Mid North/Homeplace delivers impressive luxury homes spanning multiple eras. The lifestyle is “north-centric,” in that it is assigned primarily to North Elementary and less than 1.5 mile to downtown Burlingame. Mid North/Homeplace extends westerly, a little further up the hill from the Lower North neighborhood. This central, heart of Hillsborough location once comprised Jennie Crocker Henderson’s 130-acre estate known as Homeplace. The word “Mid” indicates the central location midway between the flats of Lower Hillsborough and the upper Hillsborough areas near Highway 280. As Barroilhet Avenue continues west across Eucalyptus, you will notice newer executive homes built largely in the 1970s-2000s on streets such as Stonepine, Homeplace Court, Farm Lane, and Barroilhet itself. This Homeplace pocket of Mid North offers great advantage for those seeking newer luxury homes of this epoch, as generally in this vicinity of Hillsborough there is a prominence of pre-War construction. The aerial photo above showcases the Farm Lane area, with a long stretch of Barroilhet about left center in the image. The large structure in the photo with pool and tennis court is the original carriage house to Jennie Crocker Henderson's Homeplace Estate that still sits on over 5 acres. 

Mid North/Homeplace also encompasses a sub-district established mostly in the 1920s-1930s sometimes referred to as Hillsborough Knolls with streets such as San Raymundo, La Cumbre, El Centro, and El Arroyo. Elevated more in the hills than the flats of Lower Hillsborough, this area begins to reveal views of the Bay and Valley. With its 1.5 mile proximity to downtown Burlingame Avenue and minimal through traffic, Mid North is a desirable alternative to Lower North. Don’t miss the spectacular Revival architecture along the 400 block of El Arroyo Road, like a taste of Old Hollywood! 

Mid North/Homeplace encompasses the sub-districts of Homeplace and Hillsborough Knolls. Mid North/Homeplace is assigned primarily to North School. 

For Hillsborough School District School Boundaries, North, South, West, By-Street click here.

Explore All Hillsborough Neighborhoods at Geoffrey Nelson’s Hillsborough Google Map.

All Mid North/Homeplace MLS Sales of Hillsborough, 2025:

All Mid North/Homeplace MLS Sales of Hillsborough, 2024:

Appeal for Residents and Homeseekers: 

Majority of the homes are larger architectural designs: newer constructions from the 1970s-2000s are found in the Homeplace area along Barroilhet; 1920s-1930s classics adorn the Hillsborough Knolls sub-district off of San Raymundo, El Arroyo, El Centro, etc.

North-centric lifestyle slightly in the hills yet convenient to North School, Crocker Middle, and downtown Burlingame 

Historic Notes: 

Prior to its 1970s subdivision, Homeplace was  the estate of Jennie Crocker (granddaughter of Big Four magnate Charles Crocker) beginning around 1910 when she moved out of Uplands I, and married Malcolm Whitman in 1912. The estate on some 130 acres was purchased from William Tevis (son of Wells Fargo President Lloyd Tevis), and prior to that had been home to French banker Henri Barroilhet dating to the 1880s. By 1926 Jennie called on famed architect Gordon Kaufmann to design a Mediterranean-flavored mansion (sited at today's Homeplace Court) where she remained until her death in 1974 at age 85. By 1976, the estate was demolished and the grounds subdivided. The original "barn" to the estate can be seen in the photo above and is located at 5 Farm Lane still on 5.28 acres. The photo also shows some of the vacant lots in the Farm Lane area still owned by Jennie Crocker (Whitman) relatives. 

Although not known for his Hillsborough presence, famous home developer Joseph Eichler maintained his last home at 1145 Barroilhet. A dramatic atrium model, the home was later expanded by architect Randy Grange of TRG Architects. I was fortunate to represent the buyers of this very special design in 2013.