1812 62nd Street 1812 62nd Street

Built in 1905, this wonderful house offers a beautiful blending of the Colonial Revival and American Foursquare architectural styles, both of which were prevalent in early 20th century Berkeley. Constructed just twenty-seven years after the town’s incorporation in 1878, this stately home features many original finishes and details, yet offers updates and additions in keeping with a 21st century lifestyle. 1812 62nd St. has wonderful curb appeal with mature landscaping and a wide front porch set back from the street by a stone walkway. The stately facade has many vintage embellishments and decorative features that include doric columns, exposed rafter tails beneath several deeply overhanging rooflines, clapboard siding, window shutters and a charming attic dormer. The front porch is off-center left, and has a vintage beadboard ceiling and built-in bench seating on either side of the porch. Once inside the vintage front door, a formal foyer provides a traditional transition to the rest of this exceptionally elegant home. French doors on the right lead to the spacious and sunlit formal living room that features many original details including a handsome oak floor, 9-foot ceiling, bay windows, wide baseboards, picture rails and a charming fireplace with a wood stove insert. Newer additions include dual-pane windows, recessed ceiling lights and radiant floor heat. The living room opens to a large dining room that is part of a newer addition, and the room is spacious enough to easily double as a family room. French doors and full-length divided lite windows give access to the backyard and redwood deck while flooding the room with natural light. The 9-foot ceiling and oak floor are in perfect unison with the the original house. The home’s newer kitchen is adjacent to the family room/dining room and was designed with both functionality and the age of the house in mind. Premium stainless steel appliances include a Bosch dishwasher, Sub-Zero refrigerator and fabulous two-oven Viking range with a grill, griddle and four burners. This large space also offers brilliant white subway tiles, a white porcelain farmhouse sink and plenty of cupboards offset by polished Carrara marble counters. This is a kitchen that will delight non-cooks and chefs alike! A traditional staircase is situated in the entrance hall across from the living room and leads to the upstairs bedrooms. A long hallway at the top of the stairs is anchored by a sunny open landing that is a uniquely versatile space that can be used for a desk, large bookcase or a small play area. One bedroom is located at the top of the stairs, and the second and third bedrooms are situated at the end of the hall. Typical for the age of the home, all three bedrooms are comparable in size and features and offer oak floors, raised panel doors, high ceilings and numerous large windows for plenty of natural light and ventilation. Two zones of radiant heat for the bedrooms bring a modern, energy-saving touch to this vintage home. The full bathroom on this level features a clawfoot tub with a rain shower head, blue and white hex tiles on the floor, and a vanity with a marble top. Brilliant white subway tiles line the walls, and a skylight in the vaulted ceiling brings bright light into the room. A concealed, stackable washer/dryer is conveniently situated here as well. One of the many special features of this house is the large, deep backyard that is fully fenced for privacy and includes blooming jasmine, bamboo, rosemary, and lemon and fig trees. The yard comes with a chicken coop, and raised vegetable beds are perfect for the urban gardener! A large, detached garage is presently a gardening shed, but can be used as a workshed or easily converted back to the original garage. 1812 62nd Street is a true Berkeley treasure. With easy access to BART, major freeways and vibrant East Bay neighborhoods renowned for dining, shopping and close proximity to campus, this is Berkeley at its best.