A-frame Rarity in Berkeley

Cows in Berkeley? How about an A-frame cabin?

While both are rarities in the East Bay these days, the latter will soon become someone's dream come true.

They'll usher in the holiday season owning a slice of history—their very own cozy triangle-shaped retreat, complete with shimmering nighttime views from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate.

That's 1167 Keith Avenue, the captivating modernist A-frame now on the market in the Berkeley Hills for $1.279 million.

Located on a quiet street near walking paths and a Cordornices Creek waterfall, the home is just minutes from North Berkeley's shops and cafes, and truly represents "the best of both worlds," as stated in the listing.

Part of a postwar cluster of 1940s cabins designed by engineer Wally Reemelin, the group of simple A-frame structures was originally constructed as rentals for UC Berkeley students, and 1167 was the first one that Reemelin built.

"The A-frame has been getting a ton of attention," says Caitlin Campbell with the Grubb Co., listing agent for the property. "The setting makes it idyllic, with amazing Bay views, a huge deck that essentially doubles your living space, and a flat area that is very uncommon in the Berkeley Hills, especially for a house of this size."

At 1,181 square feet, the home features two bedrooms and one-and-one-half baths, though its angularity and open design create a much more spacious feel. Generous use of glass fills the space with natural light, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors in mid-century fashion. A double lot of 8,640 square feet adds to a truly private property of luxurious size.

The current owner has lived in the house since purchasing it as a probate sale in 2015. "She refurbished it, and raised two kids in this tiny house in the Berkeley Hills," says Campbell. "Thinking she'd live there for the rest of her life, she made it very high-end. It's one of the most meticulously maintained houses I've ever brought onto the market."

Approach to the home is via a series of steps up from the street, landing at a large wooden deck. Generously sized patio areas are ideal for lounging, entertaining, and dining al fresco under a lush canopy of mature trees.