Known as the Senger house, and created by local luminary Bernard Maybeck, a recognized leader of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, 1321 Bay View Place is a once in a lifetime property in the storied hills of North Berkeley. Built in 1907 for German professor at UC Berkeley J.H. Senger and his family, the home is both warm and whimsical, feeling nearly like a castle out of a fairytale. In creating this masterpiece, Maybeck was compelled to enchant its inhabitants with special details including original woodwork, medieval accents and ceilings adorned by copper and gold leaf paint, while creating functional spaces for life within.
With a total of five bedrooms and three full bathrooms in the main home and what is thought to be the last remaining barn in Berkeley with its own utilities, loft space and ample room for a variety of uses, the home is both spacious and flexible. The heart of the home centers on a grand living room with a magnificent fireplace crowned by a giant “S” and a hearth inscribed with a line from a German poem which translates approximately to “Don’t worry today about tomorrow,” – compelling advice today in our modern busy lives. A library on the second level boasts beautifully vaulted ceilings continuing with the gold motif and inspiring views of the Bay.
The property itself is very rare and exceedingly private, with largely level grounds, including a grove of redwood trees, and totaling more than half an acre in one of Berkeley’s most coveted neighborhoods. Near UC Berkeley, Chez Panisse, parks and transportation this home is near to everything and yet feels a total world apart. The availability of this home on the market presents a very special opportunity for those appreciative of architectural magnificence and cultural importance.
Address: 1321 Bay View Place, Berkeley, CA 94708
Price: $3,950,000
For more information, please contact Bebe McRae & Alexis Thompson at (510) 652-2133 or bmcrae@grubbco.com and athompson@grubbco.com
Bebe McRae & Alexis Thompson are the exclusive agents representing the East Bay Area, including Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont and Orinda real estate markets as members of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of their listings here.
Photos courtesy of Bebe McRae & Alexis Thompson