CONTEMPORARY

This stunning contemporary was designed in 1959 by Gerald McCue, an established architect of the time. Between 1967 and 1969, his company, GMA together with Kenzo Tange were chosen to produce the first plans for the redevelopment of the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco. He joined Harvard in 1976 as professor of architecture and urban design and served as Dean of the Faculty of Design from 1980 until 1992.

The current owners of 89 Southampton, with their architect, Joanne Koch of Koch Architects, have added to, remodeled and structurally strengthened this dramatic, level-in house, with careful attention to maintaining the integrity of the original design.

It sits in popular Thousand Oaks neighborhood near John Hinkel Park with an easy stroll along Tunbridge Lane to the Arlington and from there down to the Solano Avenue amenities. In a beautiful setting, on an 11,680 square foot landscaped lot, flanked by Live Oak trees and Magnolias, the focal point of this house is the open central courtyard, with doors and windows opening onto it from all the public spaces. There is a constant interplay of indoor-outdoor, with decks and courts, skylights and recessed lights. Almost every room on the main level has a door to the outside. The rooms are expansive and flexible, with sliding doors that separate the living and dining rooms, should one choose. The colors and materials are subtle and organic and the rooms flow elegantly from the one to the other.

The corridor on the east side of the courtyard separates the garage and utility areas, whilst the one on the south side of the courtyard separates the sleeping quarters from the public spaces. The living and dining rooms are defined by glass windows and doors, looking into the beautiful courtyard on the one side and the garden and view on the other side. The dining room light fixture, so thoughtfully chosen, harmonizes with the openness, adding light without blocking the view.
Ah, the courtyard! What a magical space, with its basketweave Ipe floor, its bubbling cistern and its lanterns, all together creating a serene ambiance as well as adding light to the interior spaces. At night, with the hanging lanterns the mood is elegant and romantic. It constantly draws you in, beckoning one to come and relax or entertain in this private and beautiful space.

The original hall bathroom has been updated in a playful color scheme. The master suite is spectacular with “his and her” closets, a cozy fireplace with concrete bench, built-ins on either side of the bed as well as along the wall and Mount Tamalpais prominently displayed in this North Bay view. The colors chosen are soft and warm, from the linen curtains, to the brown integral color plaster of the fireplace, from the subtle pattern of the custom carpet to the color of the concrete bench.

From the kitchen, one can look through the family room to the small court with its majestic Magnolia tree, or look in the other direction towards the view. The kitchen is large and functional with new stainless steel appliances, marmoleum floor, a walk-in pantry, a double sink, another small sink and a sky-lit breakfast area. The adjacent family room, with skylight and its own court, has radiant heat under the cork flooring. A very pleasant laundry and powder room are tucked around the corner between the family room and the 2 car garage.

It is in the garage that one can see the technology hooked up to the house. The house is completely wired for Category 5E, cable and speakers and hooked up to solar power. All the systems are energy efficient.

The lower level has much flexibility with a kitchen, bathroom, large bedroom/living area and french doors to the lush garden and hot tub. There are lovely Bay views from this level as well as the main level. In addition, it has its own entrance and can be accessed from the south side gate.

Main floor – 3,441 sf
Lower level – 1,005 sf
Garage – 458 sf
Total – 4,446 sf

4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 1 powder room, a family room, 2 kitchens, a laundry, a 2 car garage, a central courtyard, another small court, decks on the south and west sides of the structure and significant structural modifications.