Architecture Wednesday: 1901 Treehouse–like Home In Berkeley

For the first time in 45 years this treehouse-like home in Berkeley, California, is on the market … and for just $1.65 million.

The multilevel 1901 home’s design was influenced by architect Bernard Maybeck, one of the leaders of the Arts and Crafts movement. Situated in the coveted Berkeley Hills neighborhood just a few blocks from UC Berkeley, the property offers an enchanting city escape and tons of period detail. The 3,150-square-foot property spans three levels with four bedrooms and three baths in total.

Approaching the house is like looking for the entrance to the Magic Garden, or as I like to think, of Anna Madrigal’s home in Tales of the City; hidden from the street you walk up to the house along a long gravel path, surrounded by majestic Oaks, Liquid Amber, and flowering plants of every kind.

After walking down the gravel path, you enter the house by ascending the exterior Ipe stairs and deck through a unique Craftsman front door. The interior boasts massive wood beams and nods to a western cabin with several intimate yet connected spaces. There is built-in seating around an original stone fireplace in the living room; a wall of windows in the sitting room. The dining room has built-in cabinets with leaded glass doors and windows on either side.

The kitchen, a departure from the wood of the public spaces, is white and bright, with a vintage stove and oven, but a modern stainless-steel refrigerator and dishwasher; there are original Saltillo tile floors, vintage tile countertops, built-in shelves for dish display and a walkout to a large dining deck with a brick fireplace. There is also a laundry room and half bath on this floor.

Upstairs are 3 bedrooms, the smallest one has a private deck; a hall bathroom has an antique clawfoot tub and shower. Off the spacious primary bedroom is a sitting room, which could be an office, as well as its own deck.

Below the main floor, with its own separate entrance, is an apartment with kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and a large living and dining room.

While retaining its history and charm the home features many upgrades, including new dual pane windows, a new roof and a new foundation and seismic work.

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