It’s hard to miss the splash of color among the mundane houses when driving on Interstate 280. Nestled among the gray, brown, white and occasionally yellow or blue houses sits an explosion of purple, red and orange, uniquely crafted architecture, and a yard embellished with animal sculptures ranging from dinosaurs to giraffes to elephants. Or, as it is more famously known as, The Flintstone House.
This iconic Bay Area landmark has a one-of-a-kind history. Built in 1976, The Flintstone House did not get its name until the 1980s. According to Modern Luxury’s article, “The Timeless Story Behind Hillsboorugh’s Iconic Flintstone House,” initially, it was not as bold and vibrant as the house we know and love today. It started off as an off-white color and was not intended to look like The Flintstone House at all. The architect, William Nicholson, was simply experimenting with a new style, featuring a dome-like structure. Because of the unique shape, it was informally nicknamed by locals, “The Flintstone House.” The name then became more widely recognized after it was painted orange in 2000. Then, In 2017, Florence Fang bought the property and worked diligently to give the house a bold, bright and brilliant personality. She helped the house to truly step into its role as The Flintstone House, and she embraced the challenge.
Hugh and Judy Tuck are current San Mateo residents, bordering Hillsborough. They remember the early days of the Flintstone House, and reflect on the impact it has on the community.
“First they put statues in the yard. But Hillsborough didn’t want them to have statues in the yard. … And that house, a lot of people hated it. So that’s when they first put in the Architectural Review Board, so that houses had to be approved by the city before they could be built. .. But who’s to say what art is? Other houses have statues, so who’s to say you can’t have dinosaurs in your backyard? So they lost that battle,” said Hugh Tuck.
The Flintstone House never fails to bring joy to those who see it. Spreading joy is a beautiful thing for a house to be able to do, and it means Florence Fang has done her job right
It is refreshing to see a house with personality amongst the modern, simplistic houses sprouting up everywhere. It brings joy, and creates a spark of admiration in anyone who see it, simply because it is different, and different is revitalizing.
“You get tired of looking at all the same houses. .. It’s nice when they have different styles,” said Hugh Tuck.
Whether it is a little kid pressing their face to the car window or an adult glimpsing at the colorful sight, The Flintstone House never fails to make people happy. No matter how many times people drive past it, no matter how many years they have been admiring it for, it creates a universal sense of community and joy. The Flintstone House is not only a Bay Area landmark, its a symbol of how small things can leave a huge impact.
