Open House Sun, Sep 13th 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Address
775 San Diego Rd, Berkeley, CA
Price
$ 1,425,000
Property Attributes
- MLS#41145455
- TypeSingle Family
- Listing Status Pending
- CountyAlameda
- CityBerkeley
- NeighborhoodTHOUSAND OAKS
- Zip94707
- Style
- Year Built1952
- Price$ 1,425,000
- Bedrooms3
- Full Bathrooms2
- Half Bathrooms0
- Sqr Footage1904
- Lot Size0.1313 Acres
Data Source:
California Regional MLS (CRMLS)
Property Description
At 775 San Diego Road, directly across from John Hinkel Park, the Kip House is one of the remarkable early residential works of Berkeley modernist Donald Olsen. Designed in 1952 for UC Berkeley physicist Arthur Frederic Kip, the house belongs to a formative moment in Olsen’s career, when the principles of European modernism — particularly the Bauhaus — were finding a new expression in California. Olsen embraced the Bauhaus’ emphasis on clarity, functional planning and the elimination of unnecessary ornament. An austere simplicity that feels like the way we want to live today. More than seventy years later, it is striking how modern the Kip House feels. Its clean geometry, expanses of glass and remarkably fluid plan still read as contemporary Olsen uses the slope of the site to create a sequence of subtly changing levels. The approach leads to an intermediate level containing the kitchen and dining spaces. The kitchen opens directly to the dining room — and continues outward into a secluded English garden, a backyard that feels like another room of the house. From this central level, the plan rises to a raised living room and study, while two of the bedrooms occupy the lower portion of the house. Large glazed walls bring the surrounding trees into almost every room, dissolving the distinction between interior and exterior. The effect changes constantly through the day as light, foliage and shadow move across the rooms. Against this composition, notice how the red balcony brings a flash of color and geometry, a nod to the use of primary colors and work of Le Corbusier. Directly across the street is John Hinkel Park, giving the house an unusual degree of greenery and quiet despite being only minutes from central Berkeley. Energy Score is 1. At approximately 1,904 square feet, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a study, the house is exceptionally laid out, with very little wasted circulation and almost no space without a purpose. The Kip House makes the ideas of the past feel relevant today: open living, connection to landscape, efficient use of space, privacy without enclosure and architecture that responds closely to its site. And now, for only the second time in its history, the house awaits its next steward — someone who recognizes its architectural significance, embraces its magic, and comes to love it as deeply as the Kips and its current owner have.
| Price History | |
|---|---|
| 8/19/2026 | Listed $1,425,000 |
General Features
| Living Area | 1904 |
|---|---|
| Heating | Forced Air |
| Cooling | None |
| Possession | Close Of Escrow |
| Appliances | Dryer,Washer |
| Garage Spaces | 1 |
| Patio/Porch Features | Deck |
| Architectural Style | Modern |
| Pool Features | None |
| Construction Materials | Stucco,Wood Siding |
| Year Built | 1952 |
| Levels | Three Or More |
| Property Subtype | Single Family Residence |
| County | Alameda |
| New Construction | false |
| Property Type | Residential |
| HOA | false |
| Attached Garage | false |
| Subdivision Name | THOUSAND OAKS |
| Garage Y/N | true |
| Full Baths | 2 |
| Status | Pending |
| Directions | Cross Street: Indian Rock. |
| City | Berkeley |
| High School District | Berkeley |
| Lot Size Units | Square Feet |
| Lot Size Square Feet | 5718 |
| Carport Y/N | true |
| Listing Terms | Cash,Conventional |
| Virtual Tour | https://www.775sandiego.com/mls/255387686 |
| Standard Status | Pending |
| Occupancy Type | Vacant |
| Virtual Tour | https://www.775sandiego.com |
| Property Sub Type Additional | Single Family Residence |
| PostalCity | BERKELEY |
Interior Features
| Flooring | See Remarks,Tile,Wood |
|---|---|
| Fireplace Features | Living Room |
| Air Conditioning Y/N | false |
| Heating Y/N | true |
| Fireplace Y/N | true |
| BuyerOfficeEmail | cjohanson@fnis.com |
| Total Bedrooms | 3 |
| Total Baths | 2 |
Exterior Features
| Parking Features | Carport |
|---|---|
| Total Parking | 1 |
| Lot Size Area | 5718 |
| Lot Size Acres | 0.1313 |
| Private Pool | false |
| Lot Size Source | Public Records |
Amenities
- Foreclosure
- Views
- Short Sale
- New Construction
- Adult 55+
- Lease To Own
- No HOA Fees
- Furnished
- Primary On Main
- Air Conditioning
- Seller Finance
- Green
- Fixer Upper
- Horse
- Golf
- Fireplace
- Deck
- Garage
- Basement
- Pool
Property vs Single Family Average in 94707
Price
Year Built
Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of September 11, 2026 3:37 PM UTC This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
Based on information from CRISNet MLS as of September 11, 2026 3:32 PM UTC All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information. The listing broker's offer of compensation is made only to participants of the MLS where the listing is filed.
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