Legendary Architect, Quintessential Historic Spanish Mediterranean Revival, Best Berkeley Location

Описание: Berkeley is known for its Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture largely because of the influence of Edwin Lewis Snyder. Snyder graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in architecture in 1909. After a trip to the island of Majorca in the Mediterranean, he fell in love with the style and called it “architecturally perfect.” You find tile roofs, balconies, and loggia hanging with vines, large wood-burning fireplaces, pergolas, floor-to-ceiling windows, and white-washed stucco in his style vocabulary. Snyder designed commercial buildings like the Berkeley Community YMCA, the Roy O. Long Company building, and Alpha Delta Pi sorority house on the Berkeley campus. He served as President of the Architectural Honor Society. He also happened to design 2515 Buena Vista Way, Berkeley.

Just steps from the U.C. Berkeley campus, restaurants and shops, and with water and city views, this Spanish Colonial really checks all the boxes.

From the street, you can see that the yard was just extensively remodeled including a new concrete retaining wall that was covered with a brick facade to keep with the building’s flavor and design. A large olive tree holds the center of the space surrounded by grasses and dozens of lavender and bougainvillea. A romantic winding antique-brick path leads up to the rustic Spanish Mediterranean door.

Once inside, there is an entry with a coat closet, but you can see into the cathedral-ceilinged living room with its period collar ties, which add flair to the ebony-beamed tongue and groove.
A statement-sized wood-burning fireplace is at one end, created by an impressive stucco over-mantle and brick surround. Floor-to-ceiling casement windows cover two walls with views of the surrounding neighborhood, San Francisco, and the Bay in the distance. At the other end of the living room is a picture window that looks out at the historic Bernard Maybeck home next door. The picture window is punctuated by built-in bookcases for all your treasures.

The dining room is also beamed with casement windows that look out at the landscaped yard.

Off the dining room is the remodeled kitchen with period-style tile floors and custom cabinetry. The appliances are top-of-the-line stainless steel. A serious chef would love the beauty of the design and the ease of moving around the well-lit room. The kitchen is punctuated by windows with views of trees giving it a secluded feel. At the end of the kitchen is a french door that leads to the back yard with a large magical fountain that supplies music to the house whenever it is on.

Separated from the entertaining portion of the house by a glass French door is a hallway that leads to three bedrooms, one ensuite. The primary bedroom has a charming Juliet balcony that allows loads of light and air into the room. It has a large walk-in closet and an ensuite bathroom with a new shower.

The second bedroom looks into the backyard with frogs, crickets, and the fountain creating the perfect soundscape for sleep.
The third bedroom on this level has another balcony and a French door. It is lined with a built-in desk and bookshelves and is set up as a child’s room, guest room, or office. There is another full remodeled bathroom off of this hallway.

Downstairs, there is a lovely studio suite with a bedroom, full bathroom, efficient kitchenette, built-in desk, and two closets. The laundry room is also on this level as well as a furnace room and storage space. The garage is contiguous with the house and has room for two cars. It also houses the tankless hot water heater and gas meter.

Don’t miss owning this integral piece of Berkeley and the Spanish Mediterranean history.

Palma de Mallorca, the inspirational island for Snyder
Roy O. Long Company building
The Groves House (1931) in Arlington Heights. Anthony Bruce, 2011.
Loggia typical of Snyder’s designs
Edwin Lewis Snyder, July 2, 1887 – March 28, 1969