Expansive Crocker Highlands Mediterranean

A  Spanish Revival circa 1930, this five-bedroom, plus office Crocker Highlands home embraces preserved character plus updates enhancing three floors of living space. Architectural attributes expressed in stucco, woodwork, and stained glass endow both exterior and interior with Mediterranean majesty. An extensive, options-rich layout features enchanting public spaces and master suite, family room that opens to a deck, dine-in kitchen, and three full bathrooms, one equipped with a sauna.   

The arcing single-direction block of Carlston Avenue showcases homes on one side, a treed expanse neatly edged with stone wall on the other, and ends with a parkspace. A serene and green setting, it blends every Crocker Highlands advantage: a location in the company of distinctive period architecture, walkability and bikability throughout the neighborhood, which features beloved schools, farmers markets, unique shops and cafes, Lake Merritt and parks for outdoor recreation, plus transportation options.

A quintessential Mediterranean composition graces the home’s façade and enclosed courtyard fringing it. Terra-cotta tiles top the multi-gable roof, arches spread over focal-point windows, carved wood embellishes the balcony and welcoming gate in the stucco wall, which frames the garden-bordered brick courtyard. Through the arched entry, earthy-elegant interior spaces are framed by rich wood contours: crown molding plus window and door trim add outlines with impact and dovetail with hardwood flooring. Grand-scaled windows reveal leafy outlooks in all directions, including the neighbor-free front and park-like back of the large property, where evergreen elements and strolling paths intersperse.

Emphasizing architectural cachet and broad dimensions, the formal living room is anchored by an original fireplace with Spanish Revival-style hearth that extends floor to ceiling. Multi-pane glass doors encase the formal dining room, and decorative wrought iron embellishes the staircase. Within the dine-in kitchen, natural-stone counters form a peninsula that extends as a prep and serving bar alongside the spacious, windowed breakfast area. Stainless appliances include a five-burner gas range.

The master suite is configured with a full wall of attractive built-in storage surrounding a lounging-nook window seat. A sunny annex serves well as a nursery, dressing room, or exercise alcove. Master and hall bathrooms reflect updates and feature natural-stone counters complemented by tile schemes. All three second-floor bedrooms are noteworthy for generous storage space and verdant views. Lower-level bedroom and large office are served by the sauna-endowed bathroom. The adjacent family room, which opens to a long stretch of deck, features a separate entry, which adds to the ways the lower level may be used.

Abundant storage throughout includes a walk-in pantry, basement with workshop space, and finished two-car garage adjoining a paver-stone driveway. Infrastructure upgrades include seismic retrofitting.