Bernard Maybeck Connection

In the hills of Berkeley there's a pocket of unique architectural history associated with influential early-20th-century architect Bernard Maybeck.

There, in this elevated enclave, is a mid-century modern residence that incorporates some of Maybeck's distinctive characteristics—as humble materials are transformed into grand spaces with lofty ceilings, flying roof trusses, and sky-high banks of windows.

Now on the market, the lovely home, considered a homage to Maybeck, was designed by Bob 'Red' Kleyn-Schorel, who was a cousin to Maybeck's daughter-in-law.

Listed by Andrea Gordon of Compass Realty, the 1,827-square-foot home at 5 Maybeck Twin Drive lists for $1.599 mil.

Part of the La Loma Park Historic District, the property is in Berkeley's fourth historic district. "Of the 13 designated homes here, the Lawson House and Mathewson Studio (a Swiss-Japanese design) were designed by Maybeck, but not all were Maybeck designs," Gordon explains.

Bob Kleyn-Schorel "was a builder with a lot of design background," she notes, "a student of Maybeck's work who incorporated many of the architect's principles."

Built in 1963, the custom home features the level of detailing one might expect to find in a Maybeck-built house, Gordon adds, citing "the grand front entrance, expansive front porch, and symmetrical roofline."

The 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is part of nature, looking out to treetop views from nearly every room, and mirroring Maybeck's belief that "hillside architecture is landscape gardening around a few rooms in case of rain."

Built-in bookshelves and a curving corner fireplace make the space all the more inviting, as does a garden that extends all the way to the street. Adding to the tranquil atmosphere are views of the bay by day, and flickering lights at night.

Bernard Maybeck is best known for his Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, designed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Born in New York in 1862, he built primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area during the early 20th century.

The architect's family home was located on Buena Vista Way in Berkeley, and Bernard and his wife Annie's twin granddaughters, Cherry and Sheila, played on the Maybeck Twin Drive hillsides that would be named after them.