1956 Donald Olsen's Mid-Century Architectural Cool - SOLD!

735 Cragmont Ave.

Berkeley, CA
$1,695,000
 
1,800 sqft ±
 
2F Baths
 
3 Beds
 
3 Beds
 
2F Baths
 
1,800 sqft ±
 
$1,695,000
 

3D Tour

Features

You’re not in the Hollywood hills, but this enduring classic designed by a Bay Area master of mid-century design, architect Donald Olsen, is as cool as a Los Angeles summer breeze.

 

Olsen was a disciple of the founder of the Bauhaus School, Walter Gropius, and designed 735 Cragmont in 1956 at the peak of his artistic career.  His strict adherence to crisp iconic modular white buildings stood apart from fellow architects designing in the Bay Area tradition, whose houses mostly featured rustic natural woods. Modest and at the same time monumental, Olsen’s dedication to planning, efficiency, natural light, and visual framing of the adjacent landscape, create a magical home. Watch the lights of San Francisco as the fog rolls in through the Golden Gate Bridge and envelopes the area below – the house floating above in a world of its own.  Surrounded by an expansive garden in front and an intimate garden in the rear, this house is a treasure to be lived in.

 

The current sellers are both architects and one was a student of Olsen’s. The improvements they did in the last 7 years, modernized the energy efficiency, without impacting the original integrity of the structure. Other improvements, such as the kitchen and bathrooms, are both contemporary and timeless in their tasteful application. The commercial grade sliding doors in both the front and the rear of the house, open wide to allow for a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow.

 

Two bus lines speed you to the Berkeley campus and the downtown Bart station. Near restaurants and shops on Solano Ave and Shattuck Ave.

Floor Plan

Location

Schedule

Showing

Please see MLS for agent showing instructions.

About The Agents

Daniella Brower

02086148

510.593.1031

I come from a family of builders, architects, engineers, and artists. My earliest memories involve color-sorting electrical wires and arranging tiles soon to be set in mortar. I’ve always been affected by spaces: their flow, light, smell, sound, design, and transformative powers. In spaces, I see and hear stories filled with how lives are lived. The storytelling business is my other love and a mainstay throughout my professional life. Working in documentary filmmaking for decades, has been one of the ways I’ve combined a passion for social justice and art. After building our house from the ground up and selling, then buying a beautiful decaying Spanish-style centurion and re-building again, the combination of my interests in architecture and personal narratives, led me to a career in real estate. I have the privilege of joining my mother, Norah Brower, whose 24 years of dedication, integrity and sterling advocacy for both sellers and buyers in the competitive Bay Area market has always been an inspiration. I believe houses can be vessels for our dreams and reflections and know firsthand both the promises and challenges of creating a space to call your own. I hope you will trust me to guide you through the challenging but ultimately rewarding process of buying or selling a home.

Norah Brower

01197240

510.703.6934

Since becoming a realtor in 1995, Norah has consistently been among the leaders in the Berkeley market, where she has resided for some three decades. Specializing in residential properties in Berkeley, Oakland and adjoining communities, she is respected and trusted amongst her colleagues. Together with an accomplished team of real estate assistants, professional stagers, photographers and marketers, she is directly involved in each transaction, from start to close. Her personalized marketing plans blend print with online advertising, including custom property websites, social media and virtual tours. With extraordinary attention to detail, Norah is skillful in strategically showcasing each home to create an optimal presentation. In order to provide each client with the excellent service they deserve, she is selective about the number of engagements she will assume at any one time and her professionalism, integrity and discretion earn clients’ trust. Norah is well known for her knowledge and expertise in marketing a diversity of architectural styles. She has represented many buyers and sellers of homes designed by some of Berkeley’s most notable architects of the 20th century, including Bernard Maybeck, Walter Ratcliff, John Hudson Thomas, Edwin Snyder and Gerald McCue. As a CRS designee (Council of Residential Specialists) Norah is part of a group who rank among the top 4% of all Realtors in the United States. She is also a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) with the tools and insight to be able to counsel seniors on real estate issues that impact them. With a heightened awareness of the impact we each have on the environment, more of us are striving to reduce our carbon footprint by limiting our waste of natural resources. Norah has obtained her GREEN Designation by completing a comprehensive course offered by the National Association of Realtors which has given her the necessary knowledge and tools to become a trusted green resource. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Norah completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and her graduate degree at San Francisco State University. After initially teaching hearing impaired students, she started her own company, producing award winning silk fabrics for the interiors industry. Some of her designs were chosen for the permanent collection of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. Her background in education, design and business, combined with her communication skills, creativity and enthusiasm have contributed to her success. Norah is skillful at understanding her clients’ needs, and translating them to her extensive knowledge of the market. Above and beyond her guidance in buying or selling houses, Norah’s involvement in her community includes a leading role in the Council on Architecture of the Oakland Museum of California, an organization that promotes a better understanding of architecture through shows, lectures and tours. Her fondness for animals keeps her active in local animal organizations. She cares deeply about the community and environment in which she lives and where she raised her child and actively contributes to many local charities. The area Norah serves includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Kensington, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, Orinda and Lafayette. Please feel free to contact Norah on her cell phone (510) 703-6934 or at [email protected]

Contact

3782