Single Family Home

2940 Avalon Avenue, Berkeley

Sale Price$5,000,000
List Price: $3,495,000
  • 3 Square Ft
  • 5++ Bedrooms
  • 3.5 Bathrooms

An architectural jewel, this iconic Arts and Crafts-style home designed by Charles K. Sumner in 1910 is on a coveted street in the sought-after Claremont neighborhood of Berkeley. The majestic 3,899 square foot 5++BD/3.5BA house has been impeccably maintained and exquisitely renovated with the utmost care to preserve its historic beauty and accommodate all the essentials for modern living. Every detail of this home radiates integrity, warmth, and grace: luxurious hardwood floors with stylish inlays, an inspiring archway motif throughout, wainscoting, stained glass, custom built-ins, a chef’s kitchen, a formal dining room paneled in solid redwood, guest quarters, a gracious porch and covered patio, lush gardens with pathways, redwood shingles, and serene privacy.

An uplifting sense of ease and wellbeing unfolds on the lovely brick herringbone walkway to the front door, the fragrance of garden flowers and warm redwood bark delighting the senses. The walkway continues around the side of the house, and a shingled privacy wall in front creates a peaceful outdoor oasis with deep green foliage and blooming perennials.

A lovely threshold between the inside and outside worlds, the airy foyer has a handcrafted built-in bench and graceful natural light. To the right, an elegant library is a quiet retreat with built-in shelves, skylight, and doorway to the terrace. To the left, a multi-panel pocket door leads to the light-filled living room — perfect for gathering around the vintage-style gas fireplace or in the garden-facing bay, with exquisite stained-glass panels above the windows.

A world of dinner parties awaits in the formal dining room, with plenty of space for everyone. This grand room has a beautiful built-in hutch with leaded glass doors, picture rails, redwood paneling, a decorative fireplace with original tile, and French doors to the spacious outdoor lounging and dining terrace. A convenient powder room with a marble vanity boasts plenty of natural light. The adjacent downstairs office (or bedroom) features a large closet with bookshelves, windows on two sides, and a multi-pane glass door to the porch.

The best gatherings ultimately lead to the kitchen, and this one is a love song to the home chef. Every inch of this sun-filled kitchen has been thoughtfully considered: an integrated Sub Zero fridge and Miele dishwasher, Wolf range with 6 burners; roomy island bar with marble top, pendant lights, and under-counter refrigeration; stained glass windows above the deep farm sink with apron; subway tile backsplash; and spacious cabinets with a corner cookware rack. A charming breakfast nook with built-in seating for 4 is an invitation to linger over breakfast and then head to the inviting bay window to relax with a page-turner.

At the top of the stairs, a light-filled landing leads to the primary suite— a tranquil sanctuary with an attached sitting room and picture windows overlooking the garden. The spacious walk-in closet has custom-built cabinets, drawers, and seating. The luxurious bathroom features dual marble vanities, tile flooring, and a walk-in shower for two. There are two more large bedrooms on this level with roomy closets, and a lovely bathroom that boasts a whirlpool tub with shower, pedestal sink, built-in cabinets, wainscoting, and subway tile with decorative inlay.

Downstairs, in the beautifully renovated walk-out lower level, is a private suite for extended family, guests, or an au pair. These spacious quarters feature a handsome bedroom, large bathroom with a huge walk-in tiled shower, media/game room with built-in shelves, and beautiful French doors. This level also includes two generous storage rooms (one a wine cellar, perhaps), and a laundry room with marble shelves, a sink, and cabinets.

In true California fashion, this home’s idyllic world spills outdoors to the covered lower patio with graceful archways, pendant lights, and numerous seating areas to relax with friends and loved ones. Enchanted days and evenings await on the three-level terraced garden, lushly landscaped with redwoods, rhododendrons, ferns, and curving pathways. Ready for the next chapter of life well-lived, this singular home of uncompromising architectural integrity and beauty is a quintessential piece of Easy Bay magic.

Highlights at a glance

  • Exquisitely appointed 3,899 square foot 5++BD/3.5BA house on a leafy street in the heart of the Claremont
  • Iconic Arts and Crafts-style home designed by eminent architect Charles K. Sumner
  • Exquisitely preserved 1900s elements combine brilliantly with the home’s modern conveniences
  • Lushly landscaped garden and privacy wall at front of the house
  • Beautiful private rear garden with three-level terrace and covered patio with archways, redwoods and other mature trees, hydrangeas and other flowers, and greenery
  • Ground level includes a gorgeous foyer, light-filled living room, library, a classic formal dining room with French doors to the outdoor porch, a powder room, spacious office, modern chef’s kitchen, and breakfast area
  • Impeccably appointed chef’s kitchen with marble counters and subway-tiled backsplashes, six-burner Wolf range, farmhouse sink, island with breakfast bar, SubZero refrigeration, breakfast nook, and built-in window seats
  • Primary suite includes spacious modern bath with glass-enclosed shower for two, dual sinks and mirrors, and spacious walk-in closets with built-ins
  • The second floor’s other bedrooms each are spacious and filled with light
  • Walk-out lower level houses private guest quarters with plenty of space, natural light, media/game room
  • Inspiring archway motif throughout, wainscoting, and stained glass
  • Built in 1910