San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Modern waterfront paradise
Property includes cottage with storied history
Chic, stylish and found in a bohemian enclave, 317 Western Drive in Point Richmond blends history and comfort with a waterfront setting.
“It’s a distinctive home that immediately impresses with its unique design, spacious interior, sensational grounds and stunning bay views,” said Kenneth Dara of Vanguard Properties, who is co-listing the custombuilt trilevel with Dev Parikh of Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s a harmonious blend of striking views, glimmering evening skies, an enchanting interior, water side access and a historic literary heritage.”
While the main residence was custom-built in the mid-1990s by a couple who lost their home in the Oakland Firestorm, the property dates back to the late 19th century, when a sea captain erected a cottage near the shoreline. That one-bedroom cottage, steadily improved over time, has hosted a wealth of creatives over the decades.
Local lore indicates that Jack London resided in the cottage while teaching at UC Berkeley, as did Eugene Burdick as he wrote the famed novel “The Ugly American.” Film directors and cinematographers John Hanson and Sandra Schulberg also called the cottage home before selling it to the current inhabitants, who commissioned architect Mirek Sykora of La Jolla California to design the inviting trilevel to complement the existing rustic cottage.
Sykora camped on the grounds for a week before starting the design process, using that time to see how light hits the landscape and to how make the best use of the western orientation that frames sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, Angel Island, Mount Tamalpais and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Recycled and repurposed materials, like naturally hewn
timber, antique brickwork and terra cotta pavers, fashions an eclectic introduction to the home.
Inside, the home features custom millwork, large windows, a modern kitchen and an inviting owner’s suite.
The main level boasts an open floor plan with large windows in the living area overlook San Francisco Bay. These windows border a unique woodburning fireplace featuring a stone surround and tapered flue. This living area segues to an open dining area, which leads to a chef’s kitchen finished with honey-hued wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and cerulean blue glass tile backsplashes.
The main level opens to a brick patio and lush, landscaped garden that meanders past the historic cottage on its way down to the shoreline. A deck beside the gently lapping waves hosts a gas fire pit, as a storage space for paddle boards and kayaks rests nearby.
Back inside, the lower level plays home to an open concept office space, as well as a family room with a pair of sliding glass doors connected to a covered deck.
Found on the top level, the indulgent owner’s suite provides the perfect place to begin and end each day. A wood-burning fireplace lends romantic ambience, while the voluminous room is sheltered by a vaulted, beamed ceiling. A pair of sliding glass doors open to the suite’s private deck, a scenic oasis that’s ideal for watching the sun set every evening. Dual vanities, a Jacuzzi tub and a walk-in shower await in the suite’s spa bathroom.
Learn more at www.317waterfrontretreat.com.