In the heart of Alameda’s Bronze Coast, 1714 San Jose blends traditional Craftsman architecture with wonderful Art Deco flair, making a distinct, rich, and uniquely versatile living experience with detached studio guest cottage. Expansive rooms feature hardwood floors, soaring beamed and coved ceilings with crown moldings, updated chef’s kitchen with dining nook, formal dining room, modern baths, sun tunnels, and three bedrooms on one level. A deep back yard with multiple seating areas is perfect for entertaining and features a charming urban garden. Behind the home also is a detached studio guest cottage with kitchenette and full bath, and ample tandem off-street parking runs along the side of the home.
A brick-paved walkway flanked by drought-resistant landscaping including colorful lantana, cattails, and succulents leads to this beautifully maintained Craftsman with its traditional covered porch and gabled roof with charming dormer. The front door opens to an expansive entryway lit by a dramatic wall of glass brick. To one side, at the front of the home, natural light streams through a row of charming ribbon windows, warming the burnished hardwood floors. A wood-framed fireplace on one wall is flanked by traditional built-in shelves and high windows, while a vintage bar of gleaming wood strikes a playful note.
On the other side of the entry, the gracious formal dining room is large enough to host a holiday dinner with extended family and friends and features a high coved ceiling with elegant cove lighting, hardwood floors with decorative inlay, and an Art Deco style wall of glass brick wall. An original closet has built-in drawers for storage of candles, table linens, and flatware and shelves for serving pieces or other larger items.
The delightful chef’s kitchen blends modern upgrades with the style of another era. Anchored by a vintage island with storage and outlets for your favorite appliances, the kitchen is lined with modern stone countertops, and includes a 4-burner Viking gas range with griddle and a Bosch dishwasher. Vintage cabinets reach to the high ceiling, and a modern sun tunnel and corner windows above the dual sink provide abundant natural light. Tall casement windows illuminate the adjacent dining nook - an ideal spot for informal meals or for chatting with the cook during meal prep.
The hallway housing the three bedrooms on this level can be closed off at either end from the main living area for quiet and privacy. The two bedrooms at one end of the hall each feature coved ceilings, hardwood floors, large closets, and oversized windows with plantation shutters. The two bedrooms are joined by a connecting bath updated with tile floor, modern stone-topped vanity with subway tile backsplash, a walk-in shower with frameless glass door and subway tile walls, and a wall-mounted dual-flush toilet.
At the other end of the hallway, the expansive owner’s suite is a light-filled retreat with a high coved ceiling, wide single-hung window, and sliding glass doors out to the sunny deck. A walk-in closet with an art-deco inspired rounded wall provides abundant storage, and a second closet offers space for items less frequently used. The spacious adjoining bath has been updated with honeycomb tile floor, subway-tiled shower over tub, and pedestal sink, but retains charming original cabinetry and linen closet. Also on this level is a conveniently placed powder room.
Up a short flight of steps is a second en suite bedroom - ideal for use as a private guest or au pair suite with a separate door out to the deck. Windows on two sides make the room bright and sunny, and the adjoining modern bath features a rounded step-in shower with glass door and subway tile walls. The two en suite bedrooms share the sunny deck, which is surrounded by tall bushes and a mature lemon tree with the sensibility of a secret garden.
On the lower level is a light-filled bonus/office space with a beamed ceiling, windows on two sides, and glass-paned French doors opening onto the back yard. The full basement houses a storage/workroom,a laundry area with utility sink and washer and dryer, and considerable storage.
The enclosed back yard is a tranquil oasis with mature landscaping including palm and angel’s trumpet trees and a variety of tall bushes and shrubs. A central island planted with an eclectic mix of vegetables, flowers, and potted succulents is surrounded by brick patio and multiple seating areas - an ideal spot for neighborhood barbecues and celebrations.
Also in the back yard is a detached studio cottage with kitchenette and split bath with walk-in shower. This modern space features hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling, skylight, and glass French doors out to the back yard and patio.
Additional Highlights: Gas fireplace insert Toto dual-flush toilets Tankless water heater Newer furnace Tandem off-street parking
