146 Vicente Rd

This elegant architect-designed residence, originally built in 1994 and updated several times since, is sited in the upscale Claremont neighborhood, and set on a quarter acre of sun-drenched south-facing hillside affording views of beautiful Vicente Canyon and the San Francisco Bay beyond. The flexible and casual floor plan of this home offers an ideal balance of indoor and outdoor living and entertaining plus home offices for two. Extensive upgrades include a fourth bedroom, a luxurious master bath, full-length accordion doors in the living room that open onto a generous front deck that overlooks the Bay, an artfully designed back deck with fire pit surrounded by native redwoods and oaks, gourmet kitchen appliances, new custom-designed railings inside and out, additional wood floors, new carpets, fresh new interior and exterior colors and lush landscaping and plantings outside. This very environmentally-friendly house has 5.7kw of solar electric panels on the roof, electric car charger, an "endless-capacity" tankless hot water system, UV-efficient E3 double-pane windows throughout, a low-flow, five-zone automated irrigation system that covers the entire property and nourishes very productive citrus trees. Neighborhood Description This lovely neighborhood, just east of Elmwood and west of the Claremont Hotel, has the grandest and most expensive homes in Berkeley. The Key Route commuter trains once ran as far as the luxury Claremont Hotel. The end of the line was right between the tennis courts of the Berkeley Tennis Club. Claremont has several little shopping sections within walking distance. Claremont and The Uplands is home to Semifreddi's Bakery, Star Market, Jutta's Flowers (a beautiful flower store), and The Craftsman Home. The other shopping areas include Domingo Avenue with Peet's Coffee, Rick and Ann’s restaurant, and the incredible Fournée Bakery just across from the Claremont Hotel, with the charming stores and eateries of College Avenue another short walk from there.