This three-story home in the Clarendon Heights neighbourhood is 2,860 square feet with a few extras.
It has been modernised and wired for contemporary living, with every inch sanded and polished by craftsmen. Aside from the down payment, buyers don't need to bring much as the sellers are even giving away furniture!
Built in 1926, this two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home underwent a complete top-to-bottom, inside-out modern renovation in 1996 and 1997.
From the outside, it looks like it was built in 1926 with all the traditional historic architectural details and layout, but all the plumbing and electrical utilities are modern. There is a radiant heating system and all amenities have been upgraded. The previous owner invested approximately $6 million in upgrades and renovations to the home.
Willie says, "Every inch of this house was crafted by some of the best craftsmen in the world." There is no glue or artificial adhesives anywhere. Every piece of wood, even in the drawers, was carefully pieced together, and every piece of metal, even every hinge, was hand-forged.
The late owner Henry Navas was employee number 50 at Cisco Systems. He rose through the ranks and helped take the company public in 1991. He retired in 1997 at age 42 to "enjoy life and travel," Willie says. Navas' son is selling the home.
Navas' travels, particularly to Italy and Morocco, provided the inspiration for the home's redesign and upgrades. Features of the home include hand-painted ceilings above the staircase with California animal and plant species; carved marble sinks; abalone pendant inlays on the box-beam ceilings; ceramic tile inlays on the balconies; stained-glass windows in every room; hand-forged wrought-iron stair railings; and intricate tile accents.
Navas purchased antique furniture from around the globe and custom furnished the residence. All of the furnishings are included in the sale, Willie said.
While the home does travel back in time, it also offers modern comforts and conveniences.
There is a fully equipped soundproof media room, a large library and a reading room, all with stunning views of the city and the East Bay, says Kim Wiley, Wiley's co-listing broker and partner.
There are two wood-burning fireplaces, a laundry room, radiant in-floor heating, a security system and a large lift.The 2,495-square-foot lot has a garden with a mature redwood tree and a creek running alongside the home.
It's a beautiful new home, but it's also a work of art in its own right," she says. If you're looking for a well-crafted, one-of-a-kind home, look no further.