An iconic Bay Area home for under $1M? See its blend of nature, art and history
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Berkeley home by Bernard Maybeck listed for $995K, below Bay Area average.
- Originally built in 1895, the home survived 1923 fire and reflects Arts and Crafts.
- Design emphasizes natural materials, historic value and proximity to UC Berkeley.
A Northern California home — originally built in 1895 by renowned architect Bernard Maybeck — is offering buyers a chance to own a rare piece of art and history with a big incentive: a stunning Bay Area residence priced below the million-dollar mark.
Located in the heart of Berkeley, the home at 1770 Highland Place is an architectural masterpiece of the Arts and Crafts movement, according to The Berkeley Path Wanderers Association. Maybeck is perhaps best known for his work on the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The home stands as one of his earliest and most significant residential works.
The property, with 1,482 square feet of living space, is coming to market for $995,000.
Seller John Newton, a home designer, is familiar with fine wood craftsmanship and traditional styles.
“Perhaps most meaningful of all is the sense of stewardship that comes with living here,” he said in a statement. “(The Maybeck home) is an important piece of Berkeley’s architectural history, and there is a deep gratification in knowing that I am helping care for its legacy.”
What a legacy it is.
Embodying the First Bay Tradition and marking a turning point in American residential design, the structure survived the 1923 Berkeley Hills fire and was converted into a condominium a few years later, according to listing agent Andrew Pitarre of Compass.
“It’s more art than real estate,” Pitarre, who is co-listing agent with Alzira Carvalho of Compass, said in an email. “Most of these historic homes by iconic architects are listed for millions of dollars. This is a condo that was converted from a stately home that was built in 1895 by the original architect himself in the 1920s after the 1923 Berkeley Hills fire — it was one of the few buildings that survived.”
Naturalist, writer and poet Charles Keeler commissioned Maybeck to design the house. Keeler penned “The Simple House” while living in the home, according to Pitarre. His lifestyle manifesto outlined the ideals of simplicity and harmony with nature that is reflected in the home’s design.
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is defined by an abundance of windows, elegant proportions and natural materials, with design elements influenced by Japanese aesthetics. It sits on nearly a half-acre surrounded by Japanese maple trees with views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the upper balcony.
“Inside, the house feels almost enchanted,” Newton, the owner said. “It is both cozy and grand, with soaring wood-beamed ceilings that catch the light throughout the day in beautiful, ever-changing ways. In the morning, sunlight streams through the windows, filling the rooms with warmth and promise; at night, soft interior lighting reveals the beautiful craftsmanship of the beams and panels, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and magical.”
He said the house is “wonderfully practical,” as well, with built-in bookshelves, cabinets and closets allowing for an “uncluttered, minimalist lifestyle, helping the architecture itself remain the main character.”
The house has inspired Newton’s own dream projects, he said.
“Visitors often say it feels like living in a treehouse designed by elves, or like being aboard a majestic, historic ship — and it’s hard to disagree,” Newton said.
The home’s bold architecture represented a departure from Victorian excess, according to the official property listing.
”The feel of history, craftsmanship and nature is calming and present from the first moment you walk in the door,” listing agent Pitarre said. “The natural light, woodwork details and cathedral ceilings which have been preserved for over well 100 years offers an inspiring space where creators and thinkers have lived and passed through in an equally inspiring location adjacent to UC Berkeley.”
Its location provides a blend of privacy and proximity to Berkeley’s cultural life, Newton noted.
“The neighborhood offers the perfect blend of seclusion and access. It’s an easy, pleasant walk to the charming restaurants, cafés and shops on Euclid Avenue and the surrounding neighborhoods,” he said.
Situated just above the UC Berkeley campus, the home is steps away from the Greek Theater and Memorial Stadium.
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
