First offering: the Donald and Helen Olsen House, 1954; the architect's own home! Listed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places, and a City of Berkeley Historic Landmark, the Olson House presents a striking counterpoint to the more familiar Bay Area Modern Style. Built seemingly as a demonstration project, the Harvard educated architect applied his "high art" International Style training, as championed by Walter Gropius, to create his own "machine for living in a garden. " The success of this endeavor is attested to by the families' lifelong tenure, and the building's service to lives immersed in creating a better world through art, architecture, and intellectual discourse. With all its historic fabric intact, the magic of the space is still palpable, only awaiting its new owner to continue the tradition.
Single-familyProperty Type
1955Year Built
8,216 sq ftLot Size
$1,120Est. Price/Sq.Ft.
1 garage spacesParking
Listed by Crosby Doe•DRE #00463731• Crosby Doe Associates, Inc.
•310-428-6755 (agent)
•crosby@crosbydoe.com (agent)
Bought with Subscriber Non•DRE #13252• Non-Participant Office
Source:TheMLS #17-280876
Redfin Estimate
$2,469,647
$660K since sold in June 2020$20K since October
Recently sold homes
Estimate history
Homes for sale
This home's estimate is 25.2% higher than the average sale price ($1.97M) of 6 comparable homes.
This beautiful property offers an open floor plan with many windows, Hardwood Floors, built in shelving, there is a balcony off the kitchen that overlooks a creek with many trees. The whole living area is located on the same level. The yard is...
partially upslope.
7 years ago• May not reflect the current state of the home
This is a very special architect designed mid-century "Glass House". Nearly all original. Separate office with full bath on lower level with its own entrance. The main level features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths.
9 years ago• May not reflect the current state of the home
*Taxable value of land and structures on it ("additions") is determined regularly by local assessors and does not affect market price.
Zoning and permits
Zoning
Permits
R-1H
H
Single Family Residential District - Hillside Overlay Zone
The purpose of the Single-Family Residential (R-1) district is to: Recognize and protect the existing pattern of development in the low-density, single-family residential areas of the city consistent with the General Plan; Make housing available for persons who desire detached housing and a relatively large amount of usable open space; Protect adjacent properties from unreasonable obstruction of light and air; and Permit community facilities such as religious assembly uses, schools, parks, and libraries which serve the local population and are not detrimental to the immediate neighborhood.; The purpose of the Hillside (H) overlay zone is to: implement General Plan policies for hillside development; protect the safety and health of residents where steep topography, unusual street conditions and proximity to the wildland-urban interface create severe risk from wildfire; protect the character of Berkeley's hillside areas and their immediate environs; give reasonable protection to views yet allow appropriate development of all property; and allow modifications in standard setback and height requirements when justified because of steep topography, irregular lot pattern, unusual street conditions, or other special aspects of the hillside areas.
Zone overlays
Hillside Overlay Zone
Dec 14, 2018 • Final
Minor
Roofing
Permit history is from public records and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Redfin and its agents make no representations about the property condition or permit status. Buyers should independently verify all information.
Property details
Interior
Room Information
# of Rooms: 7
Exterior
Exterior Information
Building Style Type: Rectangular Design
Construction Type: Wood
Building Construction Quality: Good
Property Information
Subdivision Name: ARLINGTON OAKS
Living Sq. Ft: 2,205
Building Sq. Ft: 2,205
# of Units: 1
# of Stories: 1.5
Parking & Garage Information
Parking Type: Carport
Garage / Carport Type: Carport
Lot Information
# of Buildings: 1
Land Sq. Ft: 8,216
Legal Lot Number: 1,9
Legal Block Number: 2
Municipality Name: BERKELEY INCORP
Acres: 0.1886
County Use Description: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL HOME
Financial
Assessor Information
Assessment Year: 2026
Public facts
Beds: 3
Baths: 3.0
Sq. Ft.: 2,205
Stories: 1.5
Lot Size: 8,216 square feet
Style: Single Family Residential
Year Built: 1955
Year Renovated: 1956
County: Alameda County
APN: 061 258003901
Home facts updated by county records on Sep 16, 2026
Around this home
Schools
K - 12
Preschool & daycare
Thousand Oaks Elementary School
Public K-5 • Assigned • 0.5mi
9/10
Martin Luther King Middle School
Public 6-8 • Assigned • 1.0mi
9/10
Berkeley High School
Public 9-12 • Assigned • 1.9mi
9/10
Provided by GreatSchools
Lifestyle
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
3/10 Fire Factor
0.46% chance of being in a wildfire in next 30 years
3/10 Heat Factor
6 days above 82° expected this year, 12 days in 30 years
1/10 Wind Factor
Minimal risk of severe winds over next 30 years
9/10 Air Factor
16 unhealthy days expected this year, 16 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
Berkeley, CA • 94707
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
61
47
63
48
70
51
67
50
70
53
69
54
70
57
73
57
73
60
71
55
64
50
60
47
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
In this area, properties receive around 11.1 hours in
June and 5 hours in December, placing it above the
U.S. average for solar exposure.
11.1 hrs
5 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Estimated sale price
$2.35M – $2.84M
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