Situated in the heart of Alameda near Franklin School, 1540 Santa Clara Avenue is a beautiful Colonial Revival home with an unusual, versatile configuration: on the main and upper levels, which measure 2,721 square feet, there are four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, while on the 1,235 square foot lower level, historically used as commercial office space, there are multiple rooms including one full bath and one half-bath.
As you approach this lovely home, you first take in the beautiful landscaping, with a manicured front lawn and eye-catching Monkey Puzzle tree. Enter 1540 Santa Clara, and a multitude of surprises unfold before you. The spacious front entryway features coved ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, and an inviting staircase with a distinctive banister, while in the front of the home is the first of its many spacious bedrooms, graced by built-ins and a massive bay window. Tucked under the staircase is an ingeniously designed full bath replete with quartz vanity, step-in shower with seating, tub, and skylights.
Continue on through the main level of the home and its wonderful common spaces reveal themselves. The dining room includes the beautiful hardwood floors that are the hallmark of this 1540 Santa Clara as well as coved ceilings and a large bay window, while the eat-in chef’s kitchen dazzles with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and sleek cabinets that reach to the ceiling. A sliding glass door leads to a spacious deck overlooking the charming rear garden, which is entirely enclosed, is planted with lemon and lime trees, and includes a gravel patio. Just off the kitchen behind a barn door is a large laundry room with a utility sink as well as ample cabinetry, making it ideal for a pantry area.
Toward the rear of the home you will find a half bath and one of the home’s most delightful surprises: a massive family/recreation room built for entertaining with a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, built-ins, and a long wet bar with seating.
The upper level of the house shines as well with Colonial Revival grace and modern touches: two bright and lovely bedrooms with walk-in closets and hardwood floors share a hallway bath with step-in shower, while the light-filled owner’s suite delights with coved ceilings, two large walk-in closets, and a bath with a step-in shower.
Accessible from a stairway off the kitchen is a second, street-side patio; a doorway there leads to the lower level of this home, which was once used as a business/office space and features multiple rooms ripe for reconfiguration. The lower level includes one full bath with step-in shower and one half-bath, and it is also accessible from the front of the home.
1540 Santa Clara includes a rare two-car garage that includes a workbench and a sliding glass door that leads to the patio.
Highlights at a Glance
- 4BD/4.5BA Alameda home4BD/3.5BA in main home; multiple rooms and 1.5BA in lower level3,956 square feet total: 2,721 square feet in main home; 1,235 square feet in basement Corner lot Deck and two patios Chef’s kitchen Dining room Large laundry room/pantry Massive living/rec room with wet bar with seating Owner’s suite with two walk-in closets Storage attic Rare two-car garage with external access Built in 1900
