I have a another favorite neighborhood which has the charm and chatter of the New York City neighborhoods where I hung out until I left for The University of Wisconsin after graduating from high school.
I recently spent a couple of weeks, well almost, rummaging around the upper west side, Chelsea and Greenwich Village, all places that were my stomping grounds while growing up. When I returned to the East Bay the place that I felt most energetic was while shopping at Market Hall and then sitting in out in front with friends, drinking coffee, watching people with their packages, babies and dogs stroll by. It was like watching an unchoregraphed dance but it did have rhythm.
Rockridge didn't start out the way that it is today. It was named for the outcroppings of rock jutting out from shutter ridge that forms the Hayward Fault. Some of the rock can still be seen from the old quarry that now serves as the reservoir for Claremont Country Club. And it wasn't always flourishing, either.
It was divided by Highway 24 in the 70's. At first businesses languished. It wasn't until the addition of the Bart Station (considered a model for the integration of transportation, residential and commercial neighborhoods) that began its recovery and renaissance. In 1991, Upper Rockridge lost hundreds of homes to the Oakland fire, but many of the old homes from the from the early decades - the 10's, 20's and 30's close to College Ave. were spared and are some of the most coveted properties today.
One of those properties, a Craftsman bungalow is 445 62nd Street, a property I sold to a client of mine in 1996 for $230,000 and then listed in 2005 for $695,000. It sold after two weeks of marketing with 6 or more offers for $855,000. The sellers, who married after getting to know one another while remodeling the kitchen and adding value to the house (he was the architect and she was the owner) had also enhanced the lower level, and created a fabulous deck and garden.
I have listed and will soon be marketing a true Craftsman on 61st Street just west of Colby almost directly across from the wonderful Colby park. It's a fabulous FIXER on a huge lot with a 10 X 14 office or studio in the back. It still has many of its original details so hone your tools, get out your imagination and stay tuned..
Photos and more later this week.....
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