One of Berkeley’s elegant Eastlake “Stick” Victorians, 2911 Newbury is a magical 3++BD/2BA gem with a formal dining room, modern baths, finished attic suite (with skylights!), finished basement and rec room, Ipe rear deck, and lushly landscaped front and rear yards. A welcoming blend of Victorian style and tasteful modern flourishes, the home features hardwood floors, textured wainscoting, ornate ceiling medallions, and intricately detailed hardware typical of the era, while updated kitchen and baths provide modern convenience. Situated in South Berkeley, the home is moments from UC Berkeley, downtown Berkeley, and a wide array of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes. Conveniently located for commuters, the home is near major transportation routes including AC Transit and the Ashby and Downtown BART stations.
At the front of the home, the traditional railed porch overlooks the front garden planted with fruit-bearing aprium and pineapple guava trees surrounded by an abundance of flowering plants - an ideal place to enjoy your morning coffee and chat with passing neighbors.
The custom front door with elegant stained glass inserts opens onto a spacious foyer with 12-foot ceilings and raised pattern wainscoting. To one side, sunshine pours through a rectangular bay window onto the burnished hardwood floors of the gracious living room with its high tray ceiling and vintage-style chandelier anchored by an ornate ceiling medallion. Pocket doors open onto the adjacent formal dining room with picture and plate rails and a stone fireplace with modern gas insert for chilly winter evenings.
On the other side of the foyer, two light-filled bedrooms share a modern bath with shower over a vintage-style clawfoot tub, modern subway tile wainscoting, and a custom cabinet for storage.
Beyond the bedrooms - at the back of the home - the modern kitchen features a gas range, tile countertops and backsplash, ample cabinets, and custom suspended shelves for cookbooks, serving pieces, or favorite kitchen collectibles. A multipane glass door opens onto the Ipe deck - convenient for carrying food and drinks outside for al fresco dining.
On one side of the kitchen, a whimsical spiral staircase leads up to the expansive attic suite with sitting room/den, spacious bedroom with walk-in closet, and large full bath. A series of operable skylights in the angled ceilings of the bedroom flood the room with light, and a trio of windows in the sitting room overlook the lush back yard. Back on the main level, the spiral staircase leads down to the finished basement with two large bonus rooms that might be used as a game/rec room or home office, a laundry room with washer and dryer and utility sink, and two exterior doors - one opening to the side yard and the other to the attached garage.
The lush back yard features an expansive Ipe deck and drought-tolerant red fescue lawn surrounded by flowering shrubs, California poppies and forget-me-nots, and a variety of trees including evergreen Chinese elms, a blooming Eastern redbud, Japanese maple, and Australian willow. A distinctive bench of salvaged white granite Boston curbstone is an ideal place for relaxing in the sun.
All of this is perfectly situated in the tranquil city of Berkeley, internationally known for its intellectual richness, cultural diversity, and progressive values. The city offers an abundance of entertainment options typical of a university town - not only restaurants and cafes, but also bookstores, museums, art galleries, and theaters. The home is moments from downtown Berkeley, with its wide array of independent businesses including the well-loved Berkeley Bowl, Sconehenge Cafe, and Third Culture Bakery. Conveniently located for commuters, the home is also near major transportation routes including AC Transit and the Ashby and Downtown BART stations.
