This gracious Mediterranean style view home is located high in the hills above Berkeley, and is settled in among serene, and well established, gardens that surround the home, and create a peacefulness that is to be envied.
Located in the Claremont Knolls neighborhood of Berkeley at 632 Alvarado Road. It offers 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms in a very spacious 3109 sf +/- of living space.
Entry into the home reveals this dramatic living room space that is anchored by an expansive fireplace and enhanced with a pair of gracefully arched floor to ceiling French doors-both of which open completely to allow access to the adjacent exterior view balcony.
A reverse perspective reveals both the size of the living room, and the softly colored walls and hardwood floors that enhance its already luminous atmosphere.
Homes of this quality and caliber served dual purposes-one for pleasant day to day living, and one for entertaining friends and associates in a gracious manner.
As such, its design conception is one that promotes a free flow of movement from one portion of the living room to another- from the interior of the home, to the inviting exterior balcony, and to the adjacent dining room.
The SF Bay area view balcony in front of the home just awaits groupings of chairs, tables, and umbrellas to become the delightful vantage point that it is intended to be.
This glowing dining room provides a floor to ceiling window that invites in the sparkling sunlight and Bay vistas in the daytime, and stunning panoramic views at night.
Steps away, is this beautifully upgraded kitchen. It has been designed to make efficient use of this large and pleasant space. Generous counter space extends from the far wall to the breakfast bar, making meal preparation both efficient and relaxing.
Additional space is available from the eat in kitchen counter which easily becomes, as needed, additional preparation space, a bar, or serving space for meals.
As seen here, and below, storage, shelving, and display space for favorite and choice china, glassware and cooking utensils is available at virtually any level.
Updated appliances include a gas range/cooktop, built in oven, and refrigerator.
Close by is this large, and handsomely designed living area that can serve a variety of functions. Presently being used as an office/den, it could just as easily be a comfortable family room, a music room, or library. The built in bookshelves invite displays of favorite books, collectibles and art.
Moving from the main floor to the lower floor of the home, one discovers this exceptionally spacious living space that offers a variety of uses.
It is presently being used as family rumpus room--an especially effective use, given its size and flexibility. It does have a separate entrance, an adjacent bedroom and bathroom, as will be seen below, and as such, could just as easily be an au pair or in-law unit.
A reverse viewpoint of the lower space reveals the generous window space and light, and the built in bookcases and cabinets are always in demand. Just off to the right is the lower bedroom seen below.
This is the home's lower bedroom offering a large picture window with views to the gardens. A full bath is immediately adjacent.
This large primary bedroom is on the second floor of the home. It is especially spacious, and provides numerous options for imaginative use of the floorspace.
What a pleasure it would be to step outside to the view deck (seen below) and enjoy the panorama below whenever one desires.
A reverse view reveals the presence of two walls of glass that invite in the exterior beauty of both the surrounding gardens, and the expansive Bay views just outside the sliding glass door.
A newly conceived primary bathroom is steps away, and features a long storage cabinet topped with dual sinks, full length, well lit mirrors, and an inviting bathtub. A large stall shower is also included.
There are four bedrooms in the home. Three are shown for your consideration. This third bedroom is especially delightful. It is settled in among the surrounding trees, and immediately adjacent to the home's stunning gardens.
Just outside the folding bedroom doors, is this well established, and very inviting, patio area that is shaded by a mighty redwood tree. Once again, the transition between indoor and outdoors is easy and natural.
This multi-level garden space has been imaginatively created to provide an ideal balance between sun and shade, privacy and openness.
In addition to the upstairs view balcony, there is also this outstanding view deck that is as inviting as it is handsome. Exceptional in size, it provides space for large parties, special events and luncheons, and a quiet retreat when desired.
At the top of the stairs in the garden is this splendid patio-just perfect for a quiet evening's retreat, or a daytime sitting with a good book and a cup of tea.
If this outstanding hillside home is appealing to you, please call me with your questions and interest at (510) 517-6280. It is being offered for sale for $2,295,000.
(Listing Courtesy of Madeline Lilley of Red Oak Realty)
Posted by Bruce Wagg on
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