Claude Oakland Design - Page 2

"He needed an architect to be involved as well," Bell said of Lin hiring Oakland for the project. "The bottom line, I'm sure they worked together on it."

"I wouldn't call it mid-century modern," the realtor said of the design style, which definitely has a more contemporary feel than Oakland's Eichlers. Pointing out the thick glass walls stretching from high ceilings to radiant-heated floors, he added, "It certainly has some mid-century modern elements [though]."

"When you walk into it, it is 1965 again. That's the only way I can describe it," Bell commented. He called it the most historic home he has ever listed, even without official historic designation. "I've never had anything like it."

With relish, Bell tells of his engineer's required inspection of the 53-year-old home, which sits on an almost half-acre lot and also features a backyard patio and two-car garage.

"This was one of the most unique homes he's seen. He said he doesn't expect to see another like it," said the realtor, quoting his engineer as marveling "how plumb everything is."

In addition to its construction of pre-stressed concrete, Bell said, "It's sitting on bedrock, which is a big plus."

He noted that Lin had the radiant heating repaired in 1993, ten years before his death by heart attack at age 91. The radiant work apparently also impressed Bell's engineer, who "was all excited about it. He said that tells that it's easy to repair."

Bell said Margaret Lin moved to assisted living last year, and last month the house finally reverted to ownership by the Berkeley Engineering department as willed by Lin. He reported that it needs reroofing, some plumbing, and foundation work on its northwest corner, conceding, "I'd say it's a fixer-slash-renovation."

Nevertheless, weighing the home's superb siting and historic value as the first of its kind, he considers the property a bargain at $1.25M. "The thing that's so outstanding about it is the views," said the realtor, additionally recalling the house's considerable reputation. "This was a big deal back in 1965."

This unusual property will have an open house this Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4 (2pm to 4:30pm). For more information, click here.