LARGE TUDOR

Sited above the street in a super desirable Thousand Oaks location, close to Solano Avenue is this elegant, spacious 5+ bedroom, 4 bathroom Tudor. A masterful remodel in 1998, which included an addition, extensive foundation work, all new systems and an extra garage space, gave new life as well as a new front profile to this beautiful house. The second garage which steps forward from the original garage creates another plane, giving an architectural relief to the bulk of the structure, allowing for an outdoor area in the front of the structure and at the same time providing separation from the street. The living room with its high ceilings and over-sized wooden beams brings in light and adds drama. It has a fireplace with a slate hearth, built-in shelving and large windows. A French door on one side of the room leads to the front patio with Bay views and on the other side is a library, with a built-in desk and bookshelves. This room can be closed off from the living room with sliding doors. The gourmet kitchen with abundant storage, double sink, granite counters and back-splash has a side by side Subzero freezer and refrigerator. The appliances include a Bosch dishwasher, Kitchen Aid compactor, Viking range and oven, built-in Fridgedaire Microwave and a Dacor warmer. Open to the family room, it looks out to a delightful back garden with heated lap pool. On the family room side of the kitchen is an informal eating area with bar-stools, whilst on the other side is an intimate breakfast room with built-in cabinet that looks out to the Bay. The main level floors are oak, including the main level bedroom, as are the stairs and hallways. All the other bedrooms have wall-to-wall carpets. The dining room with recessed lighting and 2 elegant overhead light fixtures above the dining table looks out to the S.F. Bay through bay windows. A full hall bathroom sits on this level and a bedroom that looks out to the backyard. On the lower level is an “in law” or bedroom suite with separate entrance, a bathroom, hall and laundry, a gym and storage room, a double closet in the hall and access to the 2 car garage. The gym is fully outfitted with a professional quality gym floor, a gym mirror wall, special electrical outlets for the treadmill and other machines as well as a cable television outlet. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the upper level include a sumptuous spacious master suite with built-in window seat, built-in shelving and desk, fabulous Bay views, a small closet, a large “dream” walk-in closet with built-in drawers and shelves and a pull-down ladder to access the huge attic. The master bathroom has a deep bathtub, a bidet and a separate shower. The rear bedroom has french doors onto a little deck that overlooks the backyard and it has a skylight and built-in shelving. The hall bathroom also looks out to the backyard. The 3rd bedroom which gets great southwest light, has a window seat and Bay views. Two hall linen closets provide ample storage. The charming and lush backyard with heated lap pool, slate patio and lawn provides a serene outdoor space in which to relax and the front rooms of the house look out to the S.F.Bay. The 2 car garage is very spacious with room to store one’s bicycles or recreation equipment. The house has abundant storage throughout. Large rock outcroppings can be seen in the neighborhood in nearby parks as well as in some private residences. Stroll down the street on Contra Costa Avenue towards Solano and one cannot miss a gorgeous huge rock outcropping. Nearby parks include John Hinkel, Indian Rock and Mortar Rock Parks. At the intersection of Del Norte St., Arlington, Marin, Yosemite, Mendocino and Los Angeles Avenues the fountain with the bears elicits a smile while slowing down traffic and symbolically says “Welcome to Berkeley”. Solano Avenue, so close to this house offers an assortment of interesting stores, restaurants and supermarkets. Where else would you find a shop that just sells bones? The street is closed for the annual fair, the popular Solano Stroll and there’s a weekly farmer’s market nearby in Kensington and in North Berkeley on Shattuck Avenue.