Arlene Baxter Presents
Stylish SPLIT-LEVEL HOME
IN EXCEPTIONALKENSINGTON LOCATION!
IN EXCEPTIONAL
∎
$1,275,000
1656 Oak View Avenue,
Kensington
All Property Photos
∎
Property Details
∎
beds
2
baths
3
interior
1,794 sq ft
neighborhood
Colusa Circle
Welcome to this stylish split-level Tudor Revival in a remarkably convenient location! At the end of this tranquil block you’ll find a wonderfully vibrant village at the Colusa Circle, complete with a market, bakery, pizzeria, pub and more! For casual fare, choose from the al fresco setting at Benchmark Pizza, or the cozy atmosphere of the Kensington Circus Pub. On Sundays the next block of Oak View is transformed into a fantastic Farmers’ Market! Within a mile radius you’ll find a plethora of options for restaurants and shopping and services of all sorts, along Solano Avenue, in El Cerrito Plaza, and in the upper Kensington Village.
The buyer will be the first to enjoy the new quartz kitchen counters and backsplashes, as well as a new sink, garbage disposal, LVT flooring, and a stainless electric wall oven that blends with a newer stainless Beko fridge and Bosch dishwasher. A bright eat-in area provides the perfect spot to look out onto the spacious level garden, complete with a grassy area ideal for play or pets. There are patio areas for both sun and shade seekers, and a firepit offers the perfect cozy spot when the fog rolls in! Home-grown salad fixings await in the raised veggie beds, and soon there will be multiple types of apples and figs to harvest. Roses, iris, lilies and stock are thriving now.
Besides two spacious bedrooms and two updated bathrooms, this home offers permitted bonus spaces with many possible uses: family room, office or guest suite with adjoining newly updated quartz shower and cedar sauna, plus an additional half bathroom. An added surprise: a spacious room that can be used as a home gym, yoga studio, or remarkable storage. Visitors have expressed their suprise at just how much storage space this home offers! An attached garage with interior access is currently configured as a project space with a work bench, plus additional storage and laundry facility. There are two off-street parking spaces (quite valuable on this popular block!) and buyers can explore removing the work bench if garage parking is a priority.
Special Features:
The buyer will be the first to enjoy the new quartz kitchen counters and backsplashes, as well as a new sink, garbage disposal, LVT flooring, and a stainless electric wall oven that blends with a newer stainless Beko fridge and Bosch dishwasher. A bright eat-in area provides the perfect spot to look out onto the spacious level garden, complete with a grassy area ideal for play or pets. There are patio areas for both sun and shade seekers, and a firepit offers the perfect cozy spot when the fog rolls in! Home-grown salad fixings await in the raised veggie beds, and soon there will be multiple types of apples and figs to harvest. Roses, iris, lilies and stock are thriving now.
Besides two spacious bedrooms and two updated bathrooms, this home offers permitted bonus spaces with many possible uses: family room, office or guest suite with adjoining newly updated quartz shower and cedar sauna, plus an additional half bathroom. An added surprise: a spacious room that can be used as a home gym, yoga studio, or remarkable storage. Visitors have expressed their suprise at just how much storage space this home offers! An attached garage with interior access is currently configured as a project space with a work bench, plus additional storage and laundry facility. There are two off-street parking spaces (quite valuable on this popular block!) and buyers can explore removing the work bench if garage parking is a priority.
Special Features:
- Coved ceiling, arched picture window and matching openings in the spacious living room with designer light fixtures
- Fireplace with insert
- Refinished oak floors on the main and upper levels
- Upper-level primary suite features bathroom with walk-in marble shower
- Spa elements include upgraded toilets with bidet features, and a cedar sauna
- Kitchen features new quartz counters and back-splash, sink, electric wall oven, garbage disposal and LVT flooring, blending with newer stainless Beko fridge and Bosch dishwasher
- Energy-conserving features include: newer dual-pane vinyl windows, solar electric & hot water, updated lighting fixtures (many LED)
- Bonus family/media room/office with newly updated quartz shower
- Fully fenced level garden for play, entertaining, and gardening pleasures
- Interior freshly painted
- 200-amp electrical service
- Within the coveted Kensington School District
- Sewer Lateral compliant
- According to public records, built in 1940
Floor Plans
∎
A note from the sellers
∎
We've loved every moment in this lovely Kensington abode, and now it's time for someone new to write their own story here. This is a home with character and multiple surprises. Our neighborhood is truly special. Kensington might be small, but it's packed with charm. Everything you need is practically at your doorstep:
Walking is a treat here. Within 20 minutes you can reach Solano Avenue's restaurants and shops, multiple grocery stores (Andronico's, Trader joes, Lucky, 99 Ranch, Colusa Market, Safeway), BART, and even the El Cerrito Plaza Mall.
The walking paths behind our house are a hidden treasure – lined with fruit trees and leading right up to Tilden Park, one of the East Bay's most beautiful natural spaces. Walk towards the Bay and you find the Berkeley Marina and many nice beachfront parks.
Some unexpected delights you'll discover:
There’s an extra surprise in the basement, with our Norwegian sauna – something you don't find in just any house. We used it at least once a week, transforming those stressful days into moments of pure relaxation. Imagine having your own personal spa!
We added a patio that makes it possible to linger in the garden long into cool nights with a propane firepit. And we learned how to grow amazing tomatoes in the raised beds, as well as very happy roses. We're heading back to the South Bay to downsize, but we hope the next owners will also enjoy those special pleasures.
—Martin and Sue
- A cozy local supermarket
- The friendly Circus Pub
- Semifreddi's for fresh bread or a morning coffee
- A fantastic pizzeria with popular outdoor seating
- A Sunday farmer's market that transforms the lower part of Oak View Ave to a great place to buy organic produce, artisanal bread and lots of local products
Walking is a treat here. Within 20 minutes you can reach Solano Avenue's restaurants and shops, multiple grocery stores (Andronico's, Trader joes, Lucky, 99 Ranch, Colusa Market, Safeway), BART, and even the El Cerrito Plaza Mall.
The walking paths behind our house are a hidden treasure – lined with fruit trees and leading right up to Tilden Park, one of the East Bay's most beautiful natural spaces. Walk towards the Bay and you find the Berkeley Marina and many nice beachfront parks.
Some unexpected delights you'll discover:
- The tap water is incredibly soft and tastes amazing – a little gift from the Sierras
- Blazing fast fiber internet from Sonic
- Clean, fresh air that sweeps in directly from the Golden Gate
- A neighborhood that feels more like a community than just a place to live
There’s an extra surprise in the basement, with our Norwegian sauna – something you don't find in just any house. We used it at least once a week, transforming those stressful days into moments of pure relaxation. Imagine having your own personal spa!
We added a patio that makes it possible to linger in the garden long into cool nights with a propane firepit. And we learned how to grow amazing tomatoes in the raised beds, as well as very happy roses. We're heading back to the South Bay to downsize, but we hope the next owners will also enjoy those special pleasures.
—Martin and Sue
about this
Neighborhood: Colusa Circle
∎
It's hard to imagine a more remarkably convenient location! At the end of this tranquil block you’ll find a wonderfully vibrant village at the Colusa Circle, complete with key creature comforts: coffee, a bakery (Semifreddi's!), market, pizzeria, pub and more! For casual fare, choose from the popular al fresco setting at Benchmark Pizza, or the cozy atmosphere of the Kensington Circus Pub. On Sundays the next block of Oak View is transformed into a fantastic Farmers’ Market! Within a mile radius you’ll find a plethora of options for restaurants, shopping and services of all sorts, along Solano Avenue, in El Cerrito Plaza, and in the upper Kensington Village. And you’re so close to great transit options, with the Express bus right along Colusa Avenue!
Arlene Baxter
The Agency
2012 REALTOR of the Year, BAR
- DRE:
- #01209552
- Mobile:
- 510.717.1799
www.GreenBungalows.info
I'll be your Guardian Angel and your Devil's Advocate!
Whether representing buyers or sellers, my top priority is to understand your goals and priorities, and make sure that together we accomplish them, keeping the process as stress-free as possible!
Today’s consumers have a wealth of information available to them. When it comes to real estate, most people don’t need more data, but they do need a guide to interpret that data and sort through what’s accurate, and what’s most important in achieving their particular goals. And in this evolving market both buyers and sellers need an expert negotiator working on their behalf. My negotiating skills have been described as “masterful.” I enjoy the process of assuring that all parties have offered the highest and best terms within their powers.
All of my listings in all markets have sold above original list price, and in more than 25 years, all of my residential listings have received multiple offers. That’s a remarkable record!
My job as real estate advisor is not to simply give you information, or to tell you what you want to hear, but to actively listen to you and provide expert guidance—to be both your Guardian Angel and your Devil’s Advocate!
I have a special interest and extensive knowledge about conserving energy and sustainable building practices. I am proud to have chaired both Green Councils and the Climate Action Committee for our local Association of REALTORS.
I have a special passion for vintage homes, and especially homes in the styles of the Arts & Crafts movement. The proud owner of a Julia Morgan home, I am sensitive to the details that make these homes have a time-honored appeal.
I’m honored by my recent client testimonials. If you’d like more information, please visiit my website: GreenBungalows.info I am always happy to provide customized details. I love to discuss real estate, as well as the great architecture and life style here in the East Bay! Thank you for reading this brief summary!
Today’s consumers have a wealth of information available to them. When it comes to real estate, most people don’t need more data, but they do need a guide to interpret that data and sort through what’s accurate, and what’s most important in achieving their particular goals. And in this evolving market both buyers and sellers need an expert negotiator working on their behalf. My negotiating skills have been described as “masterful.” I enjoy the process of assuring that all parties have offered the highest and best terms within their powers.
All of my listings in all markets have sold above original list price, and in more than 25 years, all of my residential listings have received multiple offers. That’s a remarkable record!
My job as real estate advisor is not to simply give you information, or to tell you what you want to hear, but to actively listen to you and provide expert guidance—to be both your Guardian Angel and your Devil’s Advocate!
I have a special interest and extensive knowledge about conserving energy and sustainable building practices. I am proud to have chaired both Green Councils and the Climate Action Committee for our local Association of REALTORS.
I have a special passion for vintage homes, and especially homes in the styles of the Arts & Crafts movement. The proud owner of a Julia Morgan home, I am sensitive to the details that make these homes have a time-honored appeal.
I’m honored by my recent client testimonials. If you’d like more information, please visiit my website: GreenBungalows.info I am always happy to provide customized details. I love to discuss real estate, as well as the great architecture and life style here in the East Bay! Thank you for reading this brief summary!
Get In Touch
∎
Thank you!
Your message has been received. We will reply using one of the contact methods provided in your submission.
Sorry, there was a problem
Your message could not be sent. Please refresh the page and try again in a few minutes, or reach out directly using the agent contact information below.
Arlene Baxter
The Agency
2012 REALTOR of the Year, BAR
- DRE:
- #01209552
- Mobile:
- 510.717.1799