A Buyer Snaps Up $1.5M Julia Morgan-Designed California Home
BayEast / Realtor.com
A beautifully preserved 2,318-square-foot home—with a big-league architectural pedigree—has quickly found its new owner.
Kate E. McCaffrey and Julia Brady, with Compass, co-listed the Alameda, CA, property in October for $1,495,000.
Designed by Julia Morgan, best known for her work on Hearst Castle, the home has been altered minimally from its original 1925 design.
Morgan was the first woman admitted to École des Beaux-Arts in Paris to study architecture. She later became California’s first licensed female architect.
And during her prolific career, which involved some 700 projects, Morgan designed seven homes in Alameda—all of which are still standing.
This home has had only four owners—including the seller, who bought it in 2000 for $520,000.
“She’s lived there for 20 years,” says Brady. “She definitely grew into that house and has been thoughtful about the care that went into it. The house is pretty much exactly as it was.”
Built for two sisters who lived together (and apparently had no guests), the home has just two bedrooms and 1.5 baths.
And while the property’s footprint may be relatively small, its location is mighty.
“The Gold Coast is the most coveted neighborhood in Alameda,” Brady says. “It’s where you see a lot more of the grand homes—historic and [with] a lot of character. It’s a very well-kept area.”
Original elements include the entrance hall, formal living room with a fireplace, formal dining room, and an enclosed sun porch connected to one of the bedrooms. The 10-foot ceilings on the first floor are also original.
As for updates, the kitchen has been expanded by 24 feet and a large dressing room with built-in shelving has been added.
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A previous owner added more living space by converting the garage into an office with hardwood flooring and a half-bath.
Outdoor spaces have been upgraded to maximize the property’s entertaining chops. A pergola, large enough to shade a dining table and grill, is woven into the exterior design. And a picturesque pond and waterfall ripple in the backyard.
Original drawings come with the sale, as a guide for future restoration.
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