1204 Bay St, Alameda, CA 94501

Close × HISTORIC GOLD COAST MASTERPIECE We are proud to present one of Alameda’s finest estates in a rare offering. Located on approximately a third of an acre in the heart of The Gold Coast, Alameda’s premier neighborhood, this magnificent Transitional Colonial Revival home was known for decades as “The Mayor’s House” as the long-time residence of Mayor Branscheid. It is breathtaking in its architectural detail, its scale, its park-like landscaped grounds and its generous floor plan that graciously unfolds over three levels of elegant yet practical living space. Built in 1905 by famed architect D. Franklin Oliver (whose significant works include the iconic Oakland Tribune Tower building, the First Congregational Church of Alameda and the gorgeous Citizens Bank building at 1500 Park Street), this spectacular 5500+ square foot home invites its occupants to experience the splendor of a bygone era…an era of grand rooms embraced by warm, polished wood reflecting the glow of a crackling fire in the hearth…an era of tranquil tree-lined streets where children ride bikes to respected neighborhood schools…an era of summer cookouts relaxing in the shade of century-old oaks. Offering the best of the old and the new, 1204 Bay Street not only has been lovingly maintained to preserve its architectural splendor, it has been thoughtfully upgraded to provide many of the finest amenities today’s luxury home buyer has come to expect. Entering, one is first met by the jaw-dropping grand foyer with its gorgeous quarter-sawn oak woodwork, the massive brick fireplace and hearth, built-in hearth benches, the elegant period chandelier, the herringbone oak flooring, box beam ceiling, all framed by the beautiful graceful curves of the splendid grand staircase. You realize that you have just entered not just a warm and functional family home, but also a work of art. Wander through the impressive oversized living room with its polished mahogany wainscoting, beams and trim, a second expansive fireplace and mantle and bay windows. Adjacent is the library nook with its stunning leaded glass built-ins. Then, on to the spacious formal dining room with its built-in cupboards and yet another grand fireplace (there are five total). Next is the parlor, the first of many bonus rooms, with its walls of windows and candle-lit chandelier – a sublime transition space when entering the home from the grand portico. Within these common rooms, you can imagine you’ve been transported to one of the great lodges of Yosemite. But it’s when you enter the enormous addition comprised of the incredible gourmet kitchen/great room opening to the spacious backyard and legal, self-contained guest house that you can fully appreciate the magical blend of traditional and modern amenities that this home enjoys. This “heart of the home” will literally take your breath away, from its massive one-of-kind granite countertops, top-end appliances (including Sub Zero refrigerator and two dishwashers), cook’s library, expansive cabinetry to the open, spacious family room with fireplace that smoothly transitions through walls of glass to the generous custom brick patio and the spacious backyard beyond. All this and more make 1204 Bay Street a truly unique and special opportunity to own one of Alameda’s premier estate homes on the block that has captured the imagination of generations as the “Heart of the Gold Coast”.