Stately, towering Berkeley Tudor
Twice a week, The Chronicle features a home on the market that caught our eye for its architecture, history or character. More photos: www.sfgate.com/columns/walkthrough Address: 78 San Mateo Road, Berkeley Asking price: $1.625 million Description: Rich mahogany trim wraps the interior of this towering four-bedroom Tudor in Berkeley’s Thousand Oaks neighborhood. Handsome finishes like inlaid hardwood floors and carved embellishments create a storybook and stately interior. In the backyard surrounded by tall fences, a clinker brick patio is shaded by a towering evergreen. The open kitchen has a warming skylight and seating adjacent to dual ovens and a premium refrigerator. French doors connect the living room and backyard, and the kitchen’s breakfast nook opens to the patio. A fireplace anchors a voluminous master bedroom with a jetted soaking tub and dual vanities. The home is a towering hillside presence with lots of curb appeal. Stone steps guarded by hedges ascend to a sunny front patio. From there, a curved staircase with slate steps winds to the front door and the welcoming foyer. The thoughtfully arranged interior evokes timeless elements of the Second Bay Tradition architecture. Don’t miss: That bedroom behind the facade’s gabled windows. Skylights and the wall of windows make it a sun-soaked hideaway overlooking the street. Perfect as a playroom for kids of all ages. Built: 1937 Square feet: 2,897 For more information: Karen Starr, Grubb Co., (510) 414-6000, starr@grubbco.com.