171 Hill Rd, Berkeley, CA 94708

This is truly a most unusual, one-of-a-kind contemporary property with breathtaking 6 county and 3 bridge views. In the North Berkeley hills, almost bordering Tilden Park, it is a commanding presence on its site, perched high above the street to take full advantage of the spectacular panorama of the San Francisco Bay. Custom designed for the original owner, who was a professor of Native American Studies at U.C.Berkeley and who was a Choctaw and Chippewa Indian, this 3 story, 12 sided brown shingle structure reflects her ancestry. The living space (kitchen, dining and living room) is centered around a floor-to-ceiling free-standing fireplace, which rests on a circular stone base. This circular concept is mirrored in the vaulted ceiling, with exposed beams radiating out from the center. Extensive use of natural materials, such as the beautiful Brazilian cherry wood floors, clear heart redwood trim, cherry cabinets, South African granite countertops, and natural slate around the hearth, make the room feel warm and inviting. Two sliding glass doors lead out to a redwood deck, perched high on the hill, where you and your guests can watch the ships sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, or on a clear day, see the Farralon Islands. The circular structure allows all the rooms to have windows or doors out to a view. The live oak trees that wrap around the exterior, appearing to almost "hug" the structure, are trimmed in a most artful way, to allow "windows" to parts of the view, as well as enhancing the privacy. From the master bedroom, San Francisco is framed in one area and Mt. Tamalpais in all its colors looms in another. At the street level is a 2 car carport, and then 32 steps lead up to the front porch which offers privacy and ensures an active lifestyle. At the first level is a bathroom with a stunning glass mosaic walk in shower, along with a guest bedroom with Brazilian cherry wood floors with a patio door to a small private deck made of heavy timber redwood. The interior stairway is lit by windows on 3 sides and leads up to the next level. Here is the master bedroom, another bedroom and a bathroom with a french door out to a rear private deck. This deck connects to a garden area at the rear of the structure. The third level up is the Piece de Resistance, the living area, where the views are so expansive that one feels embraced by them. They are ever changing, depending upon the season, the time of day and the weather patterns. Separated from the neighboring structures, the house is surrounded by over a dozen live oak trees, and an olive tree at the base. These trees, together with the boulders north and east of the house enhance the feeling of being part of the natural landscape. It is the ideal home for anyone that appreciates all that nature has to offer. This home has enjoyed numerous upgrades in the last few years, including a 40 year composition shingle roof, a complete kitchen remodel, new Andersen double pane window and doors, a rebuild of the main decks, and much more. Pride of ownership is evident throughout the home. Close to UC Berkeley, all the amenities of Tilden Park and Gourmet Ghetto, it is just a stones throw away from Lawrence Hall of Science, Strawberry Canyon Swim center and the Botanical Gardens.