MIDCENTURY MASTERPIECE
3065 Buena Vista Way
Berkeley, CA 94708
A mid-century masterpiece, this unique home was designed by the architect-owner at the height of the period. Its features are faithful to the style, yet never duplicated. Expertly engineered by the architect and maintained by his son, 3065 Buena Vista was constructed in the post-and-beam method, using old-growth quarter-sawn redwood in exterior and interior walls. An open floor plan and five sets of floor-to-ceiling French doors bring the outdoors in. Furthermore, an elevator makes this home effectively “level in” for those who want or need it. Perched on a hill overlooking North Berkeley, with San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, the shops, services and world-class food of North Shattuck and the Gourmet Ghetto are just minutes away.
The property was designed by David K. Burton as his family’s primary residence. Constructed in 1960, the style is greatly influenced by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Scottish architect Charles Rennie Macintosh, the elegant austerity of Japanese design, and Maybeck’s use of natural materials. It is also characterized by the use of complex engineering and the invisible use of structural steel. The quality of the design, construction materials and execution are of the highest standard.
When your heart and head align, you know you have found The One.
Features
• Expansive San Francisco and Golden Gate views
• 1658 sq.ft., per public record
• Over 1/4 acre (11,660 sq.ft.), per public record
• 2+ bedroom/2 bathroom
• Original plans, building contract, building inspection record, and certificate of occupancy on file
• Underground utilities
• Elevator erected in 2009 for “level in” access (plans, permit and service history on file)
• On-demand water heater
• Meets Berkley energy-efficiency requirements (RECO compliant)
• Parking for six cars • Remote-activated exterior lighting
• Stainless appliances
• New roof 2001, new furnace 2008, new Wittus Shaker wood-burning stove 2012, decks replaced 2012, new Navien on-demand water heater 2013
• Interior and exterior LED lighting
• Generous weather-proof basement with wine storage and expansion potential
RECO (Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance) Compliant
PSL (sewer lateral) compliant through 2030
ADT burglar alarm updated and monitored fire alarm added 2013
A Brief History of David K. Burton
Architect David Kerr Burton moved to Berkeley in 1948 from his childhood home in Redlands, California. He moved to study Architecture at UC Berkeley and obtained his degree in 1950. He worked as an industrial designer for Ford Motor Company at its production factory in Richmond, California for several years before working for architect Mario Corbett in San Francisco. From the Corbett office he moved to The Ratcliff Architects where he worked for 5 years or so, eventually joining the Architectural Partnership of Wilson, Burton & Wilson in El Sobrante, California. In 1969 he opened his solo architectural practice in Berkeley where he actively practiced until retiring in 2009. During his years in Berkeley David became friends with Bernard Maybeck and the other younger members of the Maybeck clan.
In 1950 David met his future wife, Hilde Scheuer. She was studying Psychology at UC Berkeley. In 1952 they married and decided to make Berkeley their home. In 1955 they had a son, Stephen, and Hilde obtained her PhD degree. Hilde went on to achieve wide renown as a therapist; she became the Chief of Psychological Services at Children’s Hospital in Oakland, the Clinical Training Supervisor at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Clinical Psychology, member of the Mental Health Advisory Councils of Alameda County and the State of California, and a founding member of the Berkeley Psychotherapy Institute and the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California. Hilde also became the therapist of choice for Berkeley’s community of Nobel Laureates and their families.
Over the years both Hilde and David nurtured many friendships within the Beat Generation of modern poets and with members of the San Francisco Renaissance School of modern painters. The Burton house was often a gathering place for these creative people; an open, supportive and judgment-free environment to share ideas, food and revelry.
Hilde and David purchased the property upon which the house is built in 1956 with another couple, The Van Gelders. The property was subsequently subdivided and work began on the Burton house in 1959. The House was completed in 1960. In 1961 the companion parcel of property (now 3071 Buena Vista Way) was sold by the Van Gelders to The Sessler family, who constructed a house designed by The Ratcliff Architects. Andrew Sessler was the Director of the Laurence Berkeley Laboratory and a recipient of The Fermi Prize.
This property has been sold.
Content courtesy of www.leverage.com