865 Contra Costa Ave

• Sat Sep 26, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

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• Sun Sep 27, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

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Just one block above Solano Avenue, the Gillespie House was commissioned in 1916 and designed by John Hudson Thomas. It’s a home that feels very much of its time—beautifully crafted, full of character, and thoughtfully designed. What makes the setting especially rare is the combination of walkability and views: one of the few streets in Berkeley where you can enjoy sweeping views while still being just a short stroll from the places that make daily life so convenient. JH Thomas was intentional about how the house sits on the lot, taking full advantage of its southwestern exposure. From different rooms and windows throughout the house, you get changing views that stretch from downtown Oakland to San Francisco and across to the North Bay. A proper foyer leads into an elegant living room and from there, multiple entries connect to a breakfast nook overlooking the Bay and an open, remodeled kitchen with beautiful Brazilian Santa Rita soapstone countertops, a 48 inch stove and plenty of storage. The dining room has all the presence of a proper formal room, with lovely built-ins and is both open to the kitchen and the courtyard too—a magical space that hints at France. Doors open, meals outside. The house transitions from entertaining to living as you enter the rear of the home through a hallway replete with various closets to two spacious bedrooms and a full remodeled bath. Upstairs, and from the spacious foyer, you will find a beautifully updated bathroom with shower and freestanding tub and a third generous bedroom with lovely coved ceilings. To the right of the stairs is the true primary suite. Including a light-filled den/sitting area, walk-through closet and en-suite bath. There is more. Downstairs, a full basement with tons of potential awaits a new owner's ideas- workshop, expansion, your call. Energy Score is 2. The front landscaping, with productive passion fruit vines and miniature peach, nectarine and Meyer lemon trees, is gorgeous and lush and gives the house this wonderful sense of arrival. In the backyard, find the beginning of an orchard; productive apple trees and so much space, waiting for your wish list: perhaps a hot tub? And perhaps the most attractive feature of this home is its location. Parks in every direction, Solano Avenue is one block away. Stroll to nearby coffee shops, restaurants and shopping. Or head to the Gourmet Area and enjoy a slice at the Cheeseboard, a drink at the trendy Bar Panisse - or a fancy dinner at Chez!

Current Status

New

Original Price

$2,295,000

List Price

$2,295,000

On Market Date

Sep 22, 2026

Property Type

Detached

D/N/S

Thousand Oaks

Zip Code

94707

MLS ID

41149025

APN

61257658

Year Built

1916

Stories in Building

2

Possession

Close Of Escrow

Data Source

MAXEBRDI

Origin MLS System

Bridge AOR

Bed

4

Bath

3

Parking

1

Detached

SQ FT

2,905

SQ FT Source

Measured

Lot SQ FT

5,265.0

Lot Acres

0.12 Acres

Pool Info

None

Kitchen

Dishwasher, Free-Standing Range, Refrigerator, Dryer, Washer, Breakfast Nook, Range/Oven Free Standing, Updated Kitchen

Cooling

None

Disclosures

Other - Call/See Agent

Entry Level

Exterior Details

Back Yard, Front Yard, Terraced Down, Landscape Back, Landscape Front

Flooring

Hardwood, Tile, Other

Foundation

Fire Place

Living Room, Kitchen

Heating

Forced Air

Laundry

Laundry Room

Upper Level

2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths

Main Level

2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath

Views

Bay, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, City

Possession

Close Of Escrow

Architectural Style

Traditional

Construction Status

Existing

Additional Miscellaneous Features

Back Yard, Front Yard, Terraced Down, Landscape Back, Landscape Front

Location

Other

Roof

Composition Shingles, Bitumen

Water and Sewer

Public

Fee

Unavailable

MLS and other Information regarding properties for sale as shown in Theo have been obtained from various sources such as sellers, public records, agents and other third parties. This information may relate to the condition of the property, permitted or unpermitted uses, zoning, square footage, lot size/acreage or other matters affecting value or desirability. Unless otherwise indicated in writing, neither brokers, agents nor Theo have verified, or will verify, such information. If any such information is important to buyer in determining whether to buy, the price to pay or intended use of the property, buyer is urged to conduct their own investigation with qualified professionals, satisfy themselves with respect to that information, and to rely solely on the results of that investigation.

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