Historic Home with Gardener's Paradise. SOLD!

818 Spruce - SOLD

Berkeley, CA
$2,200,000
 
2,652 sqft ±
 
2F 1H Baths
 
3 Beds
 
3 Beds
 
2F 1H Baths
 
2,652 sqft ±
 
$2,200,000
 

3D Tour

Features

When thinking of the best aspects of a quintessential Berkeley house, an image of this elegant 1911 Craftsman is likely to come to mind. The magnificent garden, however, is so distinct, it’s hard to conjure before seeing. Under the canopy of a stately Oak, the wide Craftsman door opens into a warm interior. A beautiful S.F. Bay view and long meandering garden below frame the expansive living room. A clinker brick fireplace anchors the space with old growth redwood trim and leaded glass cabinet doors.  Just off the living room is a solidly constructed handsome deck and staircase that leads you down to the garden.

MAIN LEVEL

To the east is a beautiful dining room, with the same wooden box beams, leaded glass cabinets and wainscoting as the living room. Where the bay view recedes, a sea of trees and budding flowers appear in every lookout.

 

Through the open doorway, is the modern and spacious chef’s kitchen, complete with top-of-the-line appliances, granite countertops and ample storage throughout. The kitchen has picture windows onto the front Zen Garden and a door from the kitchen hall leads you outside.  A half bath straddles the space between the kitchen exit to the front garden and is flanked by more storage cabinets.

UPPER LEVEL

Up the grand stairway, midway, are French doors that exit to a balcony which floods the stairs with soft northern light and overlooks the neighbor’s fairytale garden. To the right at the top of the stairs is a large primary bedroom, with dramatic S.F. Bay views. Off the primary, is an office or plus space, with built-in shelving and dramatic views. Across the hall is a smaller bedroom, headed by closets on either side. A large bathroom with a separate shower and bath is decorated with Italian tile sits between the bedrooms.

LOWER LEVEL

From the main level down is a staircase leading to a family room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette, or in-law, with a separate entrance. This level is framed by the incredible 70 + year wisteria plant that edges the windows. There is also a laundry, utility room and additional storage area with an extra full-size refrigerator.

BACK GARDEN

Through the in-law door or the side gate is what can only be described as a gardener’s work of art. The sellers have passionately developed the exterior over the years with a fantastic range of plants from all over the world. As you circle this gentle downslope yard on the meandering path of flora, you arrive at a Koi pond where you can sit surrounded by exotic plantings and admire the gracious home above.

 THE BEST OF BERKELEY

This house is spectacular in every way. It has been a happy abode for the sellers for almost 50 years and they’ve maintained and updated it throughout with energy consciousness and efficiency at the top of their concerns with solar panels, a backup battery and a BESO rating of 10, almost unheard of for a house this age. Though in the Berkeley hills, it’s a few minutes drive to Chez Panisse and amenities, UC Berkeley, Monterey Market, downtown North Berkeley BART and Tilden Park with its numerous hiking trails.

Floor Plan

Location

About The Agents

Daniella Brower

02086148

510.593.1031

I come from a family of builders, architects, engineers, and artists. My earliest memories involve color-sorting electrical wires and arranging tiles soon to be set in mortar. I’ve always been affected by spaces: their flow, light, smell, sound, design, and transformative powers. In spaces, I see and hear stories filled with how lives are lived. The storytelling business is my other love and a mainstay throughout my professional life. Working in documentary filmmaking for decades, has been one of the ways I’ve combined a passion for social justice and art. After building our house from the ground up and selling, then buying a beautiful decaying Spanish-style centurion and re-building again, the combination of my interests in architecture and personal narratives, led me to a career in real estate. I have the privilege of joining my mother, Norah Brower, whose 24 years of dedication, integrity and sterling advocacy for both sellers and buyers in the competitive Bay Area market has always been an inspiration. I believe houses can be vessels for our dreams and reflections and know firsthand both the promises and challenges of creating a space to call your own. I hope you will trust me to guide you through the challenging but ultimately rewarding process of buying or selling a home.

Norah Brower

01197240

510.703.6934

Since becoming a realtor in 1995, Norah has consistently been among the leaders in the Berkeley market, where she has resided for some three decades. Specializing in residential properties in Berkeley, Oakland and adjoining communities, she is respected and trusted amongst her colleagues. Together with an accomplished team of real estate assistants, professional stagers, photographers and marketers, she is directly involved in each transaction, from start to close. Her personalized marketing plans blend print with online advertising, including custom property websites, social media and virtual tours. With extraordinary attention to detail, Norah is skillful in strategically showcasing each home to create an optimal presentation. In order to provide each client with the excellent service they deserve, she is selective about the number of engagements she will assume at any one time and her professionalism, integrity and discretion earn clients’ trust. Norah is well known for her knowledge and expertise in marketing a diversity of architectural styles. She has represented many buyers and sellers of homes designed by some of Berkeley’s most notable architects of the 20th century, including Bernard Maybeck, Walter Ratcliff, John Hudson Thomas, Edwin Snyder and Gerald McCue. As a CRS designee (Council of Residential Specialists) Norah is part of a group who rank among the top 4% of all Realtors in the United States. She is also a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) with the tools and insight to be able to counsel seniors on real estate issues that impact them. With a heightened awareness of the impact we each have on the environment, more of us are striving to reduce our carbon footprint by limiting our waste of natural resources. Norah has obtained her GREEN Designation by completing a comprehensive course offered by the National Association of Realtors which has given her the necessary knowledge and tools to become a trusted green resource. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Norah completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and her graduate degree at San Francisco State University. After initially teaching hearing impaired students, she started her own company, producing award winning silk fabrics for the interiors industry. Some of her designs were chosen for the permanent collection of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. Her background in education, design and business, combined with her communication skills, creativity and enthusiasm have contributed to her success. Norah is skillful at understanding her clients’ needs, and translating them to her extensive knowledge of the market. Above and beyond her guidance in buying or selling houses, Norah’s involvement in her community includes a leading role in the Council on Architecture of the Oakland Museum of California, an organization that promotes a better understanding of architecture through shows, lectures and tours. Her fondness for animals keeps her active in local animal organizations. She cares deeply about the community and environment in which she lives and where she raised her child and actively contributes to many local charities. The area Norah serves includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Kensington, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, Orinda and Lafayette. Please feel free to contact Norah on her cell phone (510) 703-6934 or at [email protected].

Contact

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