Historical Berkeley Beauty Boasts Bountiful Wow Factors
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If you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind historic showplace in Berkeley, California, this 1926 treasure is a must-see. From the stunning 3,087-square-feet home to the naturesque 6,970-square-feet lot, every inch of indoor and outdoor living space is designed to dazzle the senses.
Located on a private cul-de-sac at 2772 Hilgard Avenue, the sprawling two-story home – nestled amid lush native greenery and old growth trees – has the secluded feel of an intimate compound although UC Berkeley and the Greek Theatre are just steps away.
Between sweeping interior design, arched doorways, ceramic tilework accents, terra cotta tile flooring, and multiple stucco fireplaces, the three-bedroom – four bath home has the look and feel of a European villa.
The home’s distinct connection to nature and the outdoors is part of its magical appeal. In addition to expansive paned windows and glass walls with loads of natural light, double doors opening to the balcony and earthy courtyard let the alfresco feel in, and views of San Francisco and the bay are breathtaking.
Besides the main house, part of the package is two one-bedroom apartments that are accessed via stairways from the home.
The 2772 Hilgard Avenue property is reportedly a former home of famed chef and restauranteur Alice Waters. This may explain the grand scope of the chef’s kitchen in the home, which includes a stainless-steel commercial-grade gas stove and oven as well as a massive skylight to illuminate daytime cooking. At the very least, it shows that Waters has good taste in vintage and historic houses.
A New Jersey native, Waters initially attended UC Santa Barbara before transferring to UC Berkeley where she studied in France and learned the art of organic food preparation. In 1967, she graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in French Cultural Studies. Four years later, she opened her now-famous Berkeley restaurant – Chez Panisse – where she popularized the market-fresh food concept of sourcing homegrown chemical-free ingredients from a network of local farmers, producers, and artisans in Northern California.
After authoring several books, Waters added ‘activist’ to her long list of accomplishments when she founded the Chez Panisse Foundation in 1996 and launched the Edible Schoolyard program at Berkeley’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. Between a one-acre organic garden and kitchen classroom, students learned to grow, harvest, and prepare healthy foods.
Alice Waters. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Waters’ passion for activism catapulted her into the national spotlight. Besides appearing on “60 Minutes”, she was the motivating factor behind Michelle Obama’s White House organic vegetable garden. Some of Waters’ most notable awards include National Audubon Society’s Rachel Carson Award; National Humanities Medal; The California Hall of Fame; Princeton University Honorary Doctorate of Humanities; Wall Street Journal Innovators’ Award; and National Women’s Hall of Fame.
This gorgeous home on Hilgard Avenue is represented by David Gunderman and brokered by Alain Pinel Realtors. The list price is $1.795 million.
