$1,725,000Sold

Stunning Mid-Century with Views

Stunning Mid-Century with Views

9 Maybeck Twin Drive

Berkeley, Ca 94708

Bedrooms: 4+
Baths: 2.5
Kitchen: 1
Dining: 1
Living Room: 1
Fire Place: 1
Flooring: Oak
Garage: 3
Stories: 2
Property Type:
Year Built: 1963
Interior Square Footage: 2,485 sq. ft.
Lot Square Footage: 8,343 sq. ft.
MLS #40842667

Set into the hill on the eastern side of the lot that would become 9 Maybeck Twin Drive, a concrete “lion head fountain” had been standing alone for decades, a remnant of a house that had burned in the 1923 Berkeley hills fire. In the late 1950’s, Leon Henkin, a renowned professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, and his wife Ginette, purchased two lots from the Maybeck family. They engaged the services of the acclaimed mid-century design firm Ratcliff, Slama & Cadwalader to design a family home on one of the lots. Many years later the second lot was sold.

Robert Ratcliff, the son of architect Walter Ratcliff, who was the head of the firm in the 1960’s embraced a style of architecture that embodied Bay Tradition Modernism, as demonstrated in 9 Maybeck Twin Drive. Built in 1963, the house was tailored to fit the needs of the Henkin family. Beautifully sited to capture breathtaking panoramic San Francisco Bay views, it gives a nod to the Arts and Crafts aesthetic, while reflecting the modern day preferences of the time, such as an open floor plan with large public spaces. The rooms of the house can be configured to allow for as many as 5 bedrooms or three bedrooms with an office and family room and 2.5 bathrooms. Every room in the house, including the two lower level bathrooms has Bay views. As with many mid-century homes, the bedrooms are intimate and the public spaces are grand and expansive.

The vaulted beamed ceiling with tall windows on the east, gives a sense of space and drama. The shingled roof overhang provides privacy from the road and the use of redwood gives the public spaces warmth and intimacy. As was common at the time, the floors on the main level are random-plank oak, while the bedrooms are standard Oak. Besides some newer appliances in the kitchen, the house retains its original character and details.

On the main floor, one deck on either side of the house opens off the living and dining room allowing for outdoor view space. On the other side of the living room fireplace, there is a room with a closet that could easily function as an office/library or as a bedroom. It comes with the unusual detail of a redwood “door” that functions as a shade over the east window – one can leave it open for the light or closed for privacy. It has built-in shelves and a designed space for a set of tall file cabinets.

There are numerous closets throughout the house allowing for ample storage.

The master bedroom has built-in drawers as well as hanging closets. The room that most lends itself to a family space, is carpeted. It opens onto a deck through French doors, which leads down to the backyard.

For al fresco dining and barbecuing, the large front patio, which is close to the kitchen, is perfectly framed by the beautiful 1923 “lion head fountain.” The yard in back has passion fruit vines, trees and raised beds, waiting for the next owner to plant.

On the north side of the house, tucked away but with beautiful views, sits a hot tub surrounded by built-in benches and a corner outdoor shower to rinse off.

9 Maybeck Twin drive sits close to the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, it is also steps from Glendale/La Loma Park, it is near Codornices Park, the Rose Garden, Tilden Park and the amenities of “Gourmet Ghetto”.

Gallery

Set into the hill on the eastern side of the lot that would become 9 Maybeck Twin Drive, a concrete “lion head fountain” had been standing alone for decades, a remnant of a house that had burned in the 1923 Berkeley hills fire. In the late 1950’s, Leon Henkin, a renowned professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, and his wife Ginette, purchased two lots from the Maybeck family. They engaged the services of the acclaimed mid-century design firm Ratcliff, Slama & Cadwalader to design a family home on one of the lots. Many years later the second lot was sold.

Robert Ratcliff, the son of architect Walter Ratcliff, who was the head of the firm in the 1960’s embraced a style of architecture that embodied Bay Tradition Modernism, as demonstrated in 9 Maybeck Twin Drive. Built in 1963, the house was tailored to fit the needs of the Henkin family. Beautifully sited to capture breathtaking panoramic San Francisco Bay views, it gives a nod to the Arts and Crafts aesthetic, while reflecting the modern day preferences of the time, such as an open floor plan with large public spaces. The rooms of the house can be configured to allow for as many as 5 bedrooms or three bedrooms with an office and family room and 2.5 bathrooms. Every room in the house, including the two lower level bathrooms has Bay views. As with many mid-century homes, the bedrooms are intimate and the public spaces are grand and expansive.

The vaulted beamed ceiling with tall windows on the east, gives a sense of space and drama. The shingled roof overhang provides privacy from the road and the use of redwood gives the public spaces warmth and intimacy. As was common at the time, the floors on the main level are random-plank oak, while the bedrooms are standard Oak. Besides some newer appliances in the kitchen, the house retains its original character and details.

On the main floor, one deck on either side of the house opens off the living and dining room allowing for outdoor view space. On the other side of the living room fireplace, there is a room with a closet that could easily function as an office/library or as a bedroom. It comes with the unusual detail of a redwood “door” that functions as a shade over the east window – one can leave it open for the light or closed for privacy. It has built-in shelves and a designed space for a set of tall file cabinets.

There are numerous closets throughout the house allowing for ample storage.

The master bedroom has built-in drawers as well as hanging closets. The room that most lends itself to a family space, is carpeted. It opens onto a deck through French doors, which leads down to the backyard.

For al fresco dining and barbecuing, the large front patio, which is close to the kitchen, is perfectly framed by the beautiful 1923 “lion head fountain.” The yard in back has passion fruit vines, trees and raised beds, waiting for the next owner to plant.

On the north side of the house, tucked away but with beautiful views, sits a hot tub surrounded by built-in benches and a corner outdoor shower to rinse off.

9 Maybeck Twin drive sits close to the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, it is also steps from Glendale/La Loma Park, it is near Codornices Park, the Rose Garden, Tilden Park and the amenities of “Gourmet Ghetto”.

 

Have Questions?

510.703.6934