Wednesday, June 08, 2022

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.

Click to emBIGGERate …

26 comments:

  1. Very nice and got a bit of a
    chortle out of 'seismic work'
    but also very important work.
    xoxo :-)

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    Replies
    1. Seismic work is a necessity in that part of the world! xoxo

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  2. This is why I miss my apartment. It felt like I was up in a tree house. I love this!!! It would be the ulitimate Pocono Mountain home!!!!! I love all the wood!

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    1. I like that it's right IN Berkeley and yet feels worlds away.

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  3. $1.65 million is not bad for this house, though the hardwood floors would need to be covered with area rugs to make them dog safe.

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    Replies
    1. For California, that's a steal.

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  4. I'll take it! Draw up the contract.

    Love,
    Janie

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    Replies
    1. When Carlos and I visit, we'd like a room with a terrace, please.
      xoxo

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  5. I love this. But, seriously, why is it only 1.65 million. Odd question, I know, but that seems awfully low for all that in the Berkeley Hills.

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    Replies
    1. My thoughts, too, but it's been rehabbed so I cannot explain that!

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  6. I agree with Mitchell, that seems to be an awfully low price to me. Still, it's stunning and that deck alone would have me in raptures!

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    Replies
    1. Since it's so cheap, maybe we all pool our coins and buy it???

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  7. I like all the wood, but seeing it nestled among all those trees makes me worry about wildfires! Incidentally, I'd never heard of "liquid amber" and had to look it up -- it's what I've always known as a gum tree. (Apparently the scientific name is Liquidambar, hence the nickname, I guess?)

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  8. OMG Tales of the City forever!
    I may have to revisit that this weekend. And I love the house. Woody, but it's arts and crafts so yeah. A little wood never hurt nobody, right?
    And that bathroom!!!

    XOXO

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  9. Replies
    1. It's kinda one of my favorites.

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  10. It's gorgeous! Before we moved to Savannah, we lived in a 1906 Craftsman style 3 story house in the Adams Heights area of Los Angeles. I truly miss that house, but it's so out of our price range now! xoxo

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    Replies
    1. The 3rd story was a re-configured attic space that had been turned into a sitting room and bedroom for super nana before she went off to college.

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    2. I have always loved that style of home.
      xoxo

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  11. It looks nice and is quite a bit bigger than my 400 square feet box, but I'll pass. It's too far away from my kids. The term half-bath has always amused me. Why not just call it a toilet?

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    1. Cuz there's a sink, too???? 😁

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  12. Nice. The ceilings are too low. Love that deck. But, nicely done.

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    1. I hadn't noticed the ceilings, but you're right. I guess I'd live outside on the deck and I'm good with that!

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  13. I would want to make too many changes, the apartment would work.

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    Replies
    1. Live in the apartment and rent out the main house for a fortune!

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous. I love everything about it.

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