Grace Bishop Presents
Exceptional Kensington Home
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$1,295,000
101 Windsor Avenue, Kensington
Lovingly Restored and Enhanced Kensington Residence
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beds
4
baths
2.5
interior
2,296 sq ft
neighborhood
Kensington
Built in 1940 and cherished by the same family for two generations, this distinguished residence has been thoughtfully reimagined through a comprehensive, designer-led renovation. The result is a rare offering: a home that honors its architectural heritage while delivering the comfort, efficiency, and refinement expected today.
Natural light defines the interiors, with five skylights and expansive wood-framed, double-pane windows illuminating each level. Custom craftsmanship is evident throughout, from the built-in bookcase complementing the living room fireplace, to the tailored wall-to-wall closets in the primary suite, to the integrated entertainment cabinetry anchoring the family room. Every detail feels considered, cohesive, and enduring.
The main level unfolds with graceful proportions. An expansive living room overlooks the front garden’s botanical setting, while the formal dining room is perfectly suited for gatherings both intimate and grand. A charming breakfast nook invites unhurried mornings and flows seamlessly into the beautifully updated kitchen, where new counters and backsplash, generous cabinetry, and direct outdoor access combine form and function. A versatile bedroom or office and an updated half bath complete this floor with flexibility and ease.
Upstairs, three bedrooms and two baths provide a serene retreat. The primary suite is both elegant and inviting, featuring custom closets and a window seat with views of the sparkling pool below. Its spa-inspired bath has been fully remodeled with an oversized walk-in shower, deep soaking tub, and dual-sink vanity with marble top, creating an atmosphere of quiet luxury. Two additional bedrooms are bright and well-proportioned, served by a distinctive hall bath enhanced by geometric architectural lines and a skylight overhead.
The lower level offers a beautifully appointed family room designed for living and entertaining. Integrated media cabinetry creates a streamlined home cinema experience, while a fully equipped secondary kitchen, complete with a glass-door wine cooler, elevates gatherings. French sliding doors open to a covered patio wrapped in fragrant blooms and extend naturally to the pool deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
The backyard is nothing short of exceptional. A modern pool with waterfalls, LED lighting, a swim-current generator, and spa evokes a private resort atmosphere. Surrounding gardens of roses, Japanese maples, and mature flowering plantings create intimacy, color, and year-round beauty.
The front yard is reminiscent of an English garden, and the inspired landscape sets a romantic tone with azaleas, rhododendrons, daffodils, and dozens of rose varieties just coming into bloom. More than twenty Japanese maples surround the property and add dimension and seasonal color, while mature Meyer lemon trees produce abundantly. The grounds reflect years of devotion and thoughtful stewardship.
An extra-deep two-car garage offers direct interior access and is equipped with an ultra-quiet automatic opener. Beneath the beauty lies substance: new electrical wiring throughout, an efficient forced-air furnace, designer kitchen and lighting upgrades, renovated bathrooms, and fresh interior paint, all completed with permits and meticulous attention to quality and design.
Situated in the heart of Kensington, one block from the highly regarded Hilltop School* and moments from scenic trails with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Wildcat Canyon, this home offers the rare balance of natural beauty and proximity to the cultural and culinary vibrancy of Berkeley.
A timeless home, restored with vision and care, ready for its next chapter.
*Any interested parties should verify the school district and availability, as attendance and attending the closest school is not guaranteed.
Natural light defines the interiors, with five skylights and expansive wood-framed, double-pane windows illuminating each level. Custom craftsmanship is evident throughout, from the built-in bookcase complementing the living room fireplace, to the tailored wall-to-wall closets in the primary suite, to the integrated entertainment cabinetry anchoring the family room. Every detail feels considered, cohesive, and enduring.
The main level unfolds with graceful proportions. An expansive living room overlooks the front garden’s botanical setting, while the formal dining room is perfectly suited for gatherings both intimate and grand. A charming breakfast nook invites unhurried mornings and flows seamlessly into the beautifully updated kitchen, where new counters and backsplash, generous cabinetry, and direct outdoor access combine form and function. A versatile bedroom or office and an updated half bath complete this floor with flexibility and ease.
Upstairs, three bedrooms and two baths provide a serene retreat. The primary suite is both elegant and inviting, featuring custom closets and a window seat with views of the sparkling pool below. Its spa-inspired bath has been fully remodeled with an oversized walk-in shower, deep soaking tub, and dual-sink vanity with marble top, creating an atmosphere of quiet luxury. Two additional bedrooms are bright and well-proportioned, served by a distinctive hall bath enhanced by geometric architectural lines and a skylight overhead.
The lower level offers a beautifully appointed family room designed for living and entertaining. Integrated media cabinetry creates a streamlined home cinema experience, while a fully equipped secondary kitchen, complete with a glass-door wine cooler, elevates gatherings. French sliding doors open to a covered patio wrapped in fragrant blooms and extend naturally to the pool deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
The backyard is nothing short of exceptional. A modern pool with waterfalls, LED lighting, a swim-current generator, and spa evokes a private resort atmosphere. Surrounding gardens of roses, Japanese maples, and mature flowering plantings create intimacy, color, and year-round beauty.
The front yard is reminiscent of an English garden, and the inspired landscape sets a romantic tone with azaleas, rhododendrons, daffodils, and dozens of rose varieties just coming into bloom. More than twenty Japanese maples surround the property and add dimension and seasonal color, while mature Meyer lemon trees produce abundantly. The grounds reflect years of devotion and thoughtful stewardship.
An extra-deep two-car garage offers direct interior access and is equipped with an ultra-quiet automatic opener. Beneath the beauty lies substance: new electrical wiring throughout, an efficient forced-air furnace, designer kitchen and lighting upgrades, renovated bathrooms, and fresh interior paint, all completed with permits and meticulous attention to quality and design.
Situated in the heart of Kensington, one block from the highly regarded Hilltop School* and moments from scenic trails with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Wildcat Canyon, this home offers the rare balance of natural beauty and proximity to the cultural and culinary vibrancy of Berkeley.
A timeless home, restored with vision and care, ready for its next chapter.
*Any interested parties should verify the school district and availability, as attendance and attending the closest school is not guaranteed.
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about this
Neighborhood
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Thanks to its proximity to the University of California, Berkeley campus, Kensington may boast the largest number of Nobel Prize winners of any community in the world. But one look at this neighborhood of large homes in the hilly streets above Berkeley, its commanding views of the Bay Area, and sunny terraced yards will explain why this community is one of the most sought after in the East Bay.
Famed architect Bernard Maybeck had a home on Purdue Street. The homes he designed here at the turn of last century have become an informal blueprint for the signature home in Berkeley. These well-proportioned homes are designed for family life and dinner parties. Shingle siding, rustic construction, and bright expansive vistas are the hallmark of the homes in Kensington.
Tilden Park provides the boundary to the east. Miles of biking and hiking trails, a miniature steam train, exhibition farm, merry go-round, and the naturally landscaped swimming hole at Lake Anza make Tilden a popular destination for families.
Transportation via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is convenient. Heading on Colusa Avenue leads to the El Cerrito Plaza BART station and a short drive down Arlington Avenue takes you to North Berkeley BART and North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood. There are two distinct shopping districts in Kensington.
El Cerrito means "the little hill" in Spanish, and the town that is perched on the hill above San Francisco Bay offers easy access to Interstate 80 and Interstate 580 to Marin. Hillside homes along the curving streets deliver sweeping views of San Francisco and sunsets over the Golden Gate Bridge.
El Cerrito's main shopping corridor is undergoing a rebirth, beginning with Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, which was restored from the former Cerrito Speakeasy Theater. Access to open space and parkland is extensive, with Arlington Park, Cerrito Vista Park, Hillside Natural Area, Huber Park, Poinsett Park, and Tassajara Park & Pottery Studio all nearby. The Ohlone Greenway is a popular trail with hikers and bikers.
The University of California, Berkeley is several miles away, and two Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations, at El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte, make commuting easy. El Cerrito Plaza is a major shopping center housing grocery stores, restaurants, bookstores, a pharmacy, and smaller mom-and-pop stores.
Famed architect Bernard Maybeck had a home on Purdue Street. The homes he designed here at the turn of last century have become an informal blueprint for the signature home in Berkeley. These well-proportioned homes are designed for family life and dinner parties. Shingle siding, rustic construction, and bright expansive vistas are the hallmark of the homes in Kensington.
Tilden Park provides the boundary to the east. Miles of biking and hiking trails, a miniature steam train, exhibition farm, merry go-round, and the naturally landscaped swimming hole at Lake Anza make Tilden a popular destination for families.
Transportation via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is convenient. Heading on Colusa Avenue leads to the El Cerrito Plaza BART station and a short drive down Arlington Avenue takes you to North Berkeley BART and North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood. There are two distinct shopping districts in Kensington.
El Cerrito means "the little hill" in Spanish, and the town that is perched on the hill above San Francisco Bay offers easy access to Interstate 80 and Interstate 580 to Marin. Hillside homes along the curving streets deliver sweeping views of San Francisco and sunsets over the Golden Gate Bridge.
El Cerrito's main shopping corridor is undergoing a rebirth, beginning with Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, which was restored from the former Cerrito Speakeasy Theater. Access to open space and parkland is extensive, with Arlington Park, Cerrito Vista Park, Hillside Natural Area, Huber Park, Poinsett Park, and Tassajara Park & Pottery Studio all nearby. The Ohlone Greenway is a popular trail with hikers and bikers.
The University of California, Berkeley is several miles away, and two Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations, at El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte, make commuting easy. El Cerrito Plaza is a major shopping center housing grocery stores, restaurants, bookstores, a pharmacy, and smaller mom-and-pop stores.
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