Presented by Anja + Co
Mediterranean Soul, Modern Elegance
$1,495,000
About This Home
Set privately in the peaceful Kensington Hills, this extensively remodeled 1930s Mediterranean residence is a rare marriage of architectural romance and sophisticated modern living. Rich in character yet thoughtfully reimagined for today, the home is filled with natural light, warmth, and an unmistakable sense of soul.
From the street, a cozy wooden gate opens to a graceful arched entryway, offering an immediate feeling of privacy and discovery. Beyond it lies an enchanting front courtyard—a secluded outdoor room ideal for morning coffee, quiet afternoons, and intimate gatherings beneath the open sky. Inside, an elegant entry foyer introduces the spacious living room, the true heart of the home. An iconic fireplace anchors the space, while a dramatic gabled ceiling and beautifully preserved period detailing speak to the home’s 1930s heritage. Tall French doors open directly to the courtyard, allowing sunlight and fresh air to flow inside and creating an effortless connection between the home’s interior and exterior spaces. Gracious, yet wonderfully cozy, this is a room designed for both lively entertaining and peaceful evenings at home.
The open floor plan continues into a dining area with connection to the oversized, sun-filled kitchen has been completely redesigned with a modern Mediterranean. Custom cabinetry, state-of-the-art appliances, expansive counter space, and abundant storage combine beauty with exceptional functionality. Clean lines and sophisticated finishes create an elegant contrast to the home’s vintage architectural details, while the kitchen’s generous proportions make it a natural gathering place. Sliding glass doors extend the living space into a large and versatile family or guest room with its own closet, full bath, and direct access to the garden. Comfortable and private, this flexible space could serve equally well as a media room, guest suite, home office, or retreat for extended family.
Upstairs, four additional bedrooms are thoughtfully arranged across split levels, providing a welcome sense of separation and privacy. Two spacious bedrooms share a beautifully updated hall bath, while the upper garden-facing wing offers a tranquil escape from the main living areas. The expansive primary suite is a retreat unto itself. A remarkably large walk-in closet provides exceptional storage, while the luxurious primary bath offers a serene place to begin and end each day. Sliding glass doors open directly to the deck and gardens, filling the room with natural light and creating a seamless connection to the peaceful outdoor setting. An adjoining sunny office or bedroom adds another layer of versatility. Quietly positioned and overlooking the garden, it is an inspiring place to work from home and could also serve as a nursery, private sitting room, or additional guest bedroom.
The gently upsloped gardens offer delightful peeks of the Bay and unfold across several usable levels, creating distinct areas for dining, play, planting, and relaxation. With room for future gardeners to make their mark, the outdoor spaces offer both immediate enjoyment and wonderful possibilities. A gated driveway and attached one-car garage with interior access provide convenient parking along with generous space for bicycles, sporting equipment, and storage.
Kensington is beloved for its peaceful residential character, strong sense of community, and remarkable proximity to both city life and the natural world. Neighborhood shops, cafés, and services can be found along Arlington Avenue and around Colusa Circle, while the trails, open spaces, and recreational attractions of Tilden and Wildcat Canyon regional parks are moments away. Kensington Elementary, UC Berkeley, neighboring Berkeley and El Cerrito, and San Francisco commuter routes are also within convenient reach.
Private, soulful, and beautifully composed, this exceptional home brings together the craftsmanship and romance of the 1930s with the comfort, openness, and elegance of a comprehensive modern renovation. It is a distinctive sanctuary created for gathering, retreating, and living beautifully.
The open floor plan continues into a dining area with connection to the oversized, sun-filled kitchen has been completely redesigned with a modern Mediterranean. Custom cabinetry, state-of-the-art appliances, expansive counter space, and abundant storage combine beauty with exceptional functionality. Clean lines and sophisticated finishes create an elegant contrast to the home’s vintage architectural details, while the kitchen’s generous proportions make it a natural gathering place. Sliding glass doors extend the living space into a large and versatile family or guest room with its own closet, full bath, and direct access to the garden. Comfortable and private, this flexible space could serve equally well as a media room, guest suite, home office, or retreat for extended family.
Upstairs, four additional bedrooms are thoughtfully arranged across split levels, providing a welcome sense of separation and privacy. Two spacious bedrooms share a beautifully updated hall bath, while the upper garden-facing wing offers a tranquil escape from the main living areas. The expansive primary suite is a retreat unto itself. A remarkably large walk-in closet provides exceptional storage, while the luxurious primary bath offers a serene place to begin and end each day. Sliding glass doors open directly to the deck and gardens, filling the room with natural light and creating a seamless connection to the peaceful outdoor setting. An adjoining sunny office or bedroom adds another layer of versatility. Quietly positioned and overlooking the garden, it is an inspiring place to work from home and could also serve as a nursery, private sitting room, or additional guest bedroom.
The gently upsloped gardens offer delightful peeks of the Bay and unfold across several usable levels, creating distinct areas for dining, play, planting, and relaxation. With room for future gardeners to make their mark, the outdoor spaces offer both immediate enjoyment and wonderful possibilities. A gated driveway and attached one-car garage with interior access provide convenient parking along with generous space for bicycles, sporting equipment, and storage.
Kensington is beloved for its peaceful residential character, strong sense of community, and remarkable proximity to both city life and the natural world. Neighborhood shops, cafés, and services can be found along Arlington Avenue and around Colusa Circle, while the trails, open spaces, and recreational attractions of Tilden and Wildcat Canyon regional parks are moments away. Kensington Elementary, UC Berkeley, neighboring Berkeley and El Cerrito, and San Francisco commuter routes are also within convenient reach.
Private, soulful, and beautifully composed, this exceptional home brings together the craftsmanship and romance of the 1930s with the comfort, openness, and elegance of a comprehensive modern renovation. It is a distinctive sanctuary created for gathering, retreating, and living beautifully.
Property Details
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
3
Square Feet
2,579 sq ft
Lot Size
5,280
Floor Plan
Floor plan
Schedule
Upcoming Events
Explore the 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 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.
Anja + Co
CalBRE: 01351797 / Broker CalBRE:01170009
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