Mykah Larkins & Tracy Sichterman Presents

An Organic Modernist Masterpiece

$1,450,000

All Property Photos

Property Details

Bedrooms 3

Bathrooms 2

Square Feet 1,740 sq ft

Neighborhood Kensington

Where Architecture, Craft, and the Bay Converge

Low in the Kensington hills, not far from shops and amenities, stands the quintessential “view home.” Perfectly centered, the Golden Gate Bridge anchors the horizon. On either side, the Bay Bridge and Richmond/San Rafael Bridge unfurl. Three bridges, the city of San Francisco, and Mount Tamalpais are all visible at once in an alignment so rare it feels cinematic.

Built in 1975 by designer-builder Burton D. Gary, whose entire career produced only eleven houses, this singular residence is an exploration of craft, light, and the profound relationship between architecture and nature. Gary’s obituary described a man who began as a carpenter and door maker, a self-proclaimed “door-to-door door salesman”. He later dedicated his life to designing and building homes almost entirely by hand. With only one assistant per project, he hoisted every beam himself, fabricated each window frame and door, and completed the electrical, plumbing, and tile work personally. His houses, it noted, were manifestations of “the joy he took in making the impossible possible.”

Clad in classic brown shingles, the exterior embodies a distinctly Northern California sensibility. The Maybeck-inspired concrete-paneled garage is adorned by old-growth wisteria. This garage was heavily engineered to hold the weight of its own Eden of perennials, garden stones, and trees. This organic use of materials feels at once historically reverential and modern, rendered through humility and material honesty. The home exudes a Berkeley aesthetic and lifestyle, yet sits just north of that city’s higher property taxes, offering the spirit of Berkeley without its constraints.

Inside, a palette of warm, neutral tiles, thick Douglas fir flooring, and richly grained interior doors reinforces the connection to the surrounding landscape. The sculptural 1970s front door, inset with stained glass, reads as functional art. Owned by only one family, the female head, A. Y. Sullivan, was deeply engaged in architecture and closely involved in the design process. The Sullivans lived here with extraordinary pride of ownership. The residence remains in largely original condition, beautifully preserving its architectural integrity.

In a deliberate design decision that places daily life at the height of the panorama, the living spaces are located on the upper floor. A sweeping wall of glass wraps end-to-end and around the living room corner with remarkably little interruption to the view. Clerestory windows float the vaulted ceiling on beams of sunlight. Additional glazing tucked into the roof pitch floods the room with shifting daylight. A unique two-sided fireplace anchors the space, offering warmth to both a wonderful glass-walled reading nook and the larger living room. At sunset, the water view often turns a deep lavender beneath an amber sky. By night, the Bay glitters with city lights.

The kitchen balances restoration and restraint. Original blue tile surrounding the cooking area remains lovingly maintained, and coordinating new fluted tile was sourced for the stove’s backsplash. Custom wood cabinetry has been carefully restored, highlighting the quality of Gary’s craftsmanship. Modern updates appear thoughtfully and sparingly: A new double oven and a black solid-surface countertop along the sink side complement rather than compete with the original materials.
Beyond, a dedicated laundry room with yard access and a well-placed powder room add practical ease.

The primary bedroom suite completes the upper level. With its own peek of a bay view, it opens to a private rear deck where the original cedar hot tub awaits restoration. The adjoining bath embraces an indoor-outdoor sensibility with a shower and tub positioned against a picture window. This open sight-line is afforded privacy by the backdrop of a secluded yard.

Downstairs, two additional bedrooms continue the architectural dialogue with the landscape. Both center on Bay views, while one projects outward with a bay window that reaches toward the front garden. Rich wood flooring and thoughtful detailing lend warmth and individuality, while copious hallway closets and a walk-in closet provide uncommon practicality. The full bath on this level offers a bit of whimsy with its original peek-a-boo stained-glass insert. A full-height door leads beneath the house, revealing substantial storage and an ideal climate for wine.

Property Tour

Neighborhood

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 the 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, an exhibition farm, a merry-go-round, and the naturally landscaped swimming hole at Lake Anza make Tilden a popular destination for families.

There are two distinct shopping districts in Kensington: along the Berkeley border on the south end and surrounding Colusa Circle on the West side. 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.