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As featured on Dwell.com
Featured by Dwell Magazine and reflecting architectural provenance, 11 Crest Road in Belvedere, Ca, provides a rare opportunity to own a world-renowned, quintessentially Bay Area Mid-Century Modern work of art designed by Joseph Esherick. This one-of-a-kind home, located on a private, dead-end road, and perched above the lagoon on Belvedere Island, provides 5+ bedrooms, 3 baths, ~3,150 s/f, and is sited on a roughly .8 acres (the home sits on a 19,602 s/f parcel and a second 14,810 s/f parcel (located below the home, thus ensuring privacy and sightline security) is also included). The exemplary views extend from Richardson Bay, across Belvedere Lagoon and the Tiburon Peninsula, and on to The Bay - relax or work outside on the view decks. This home also features wonderful scale, high, open beam ceilings, wood floors, a primary suite located on the main level, extreme privacy, excellent natural light, extensive garden spaces with curated plantings, fruit trees, berry bushes and 4 tiers of raised bed gardens.
As you walk through the French doors, the scale and grace of the primary living spaces immediately frame the views out to the lagoon and bay. The formal entry features stone floors, coat closet and skylights. The tiered living room’s two sitting areas benefit from high cathedral, open beam ceilings, slate fireplace with bench, built-in cabinets and bookshelves, slider to the view deck and superlative views.
The kitchen features a 4-burner Viking range with grill and oven, hood, stainless counters and backsplash, second oven, dual-basin sink with extendable faucet, breakfast bar with views and access to the garden area (so you can go gather some fresh veggies for dinner) and view deck. Adjacent to the kitchen is the dining room and its incredible views and scale. Abundant natural light from walls of windows and skylights benefit this integral area of the home.
Also on this level, you will find the primary suite with its exceptional scale, gently sloped ceiling, slider to the view deck, window walls and, of course, exceptional views. The primary bath features a stainless dual vanity, step-in shower and views of the lagoon. Adjacent to the primary suite is an office (some of the best views in the home), second bedroom (very large with gently sloped ceiling), and bathroom / laundry room.
Downstairs you will find 3 bedrooms, a large recreation room, full bath and utility room (former darkroom for photography). The extraordinary recreation room features a large area for multiple uses, ample counter space, beverage chiller, sink, exposed beam ceiling, slider to deck and closet (note: could be used as bedroom although counted as such in this description). Two additional bedrooms line the hallway (both with unique architectural attributes). The large 5th bedroom features outside access, sink, filtered light / peek-a-boo views of the bay and lagoon (could be a desirable space for au pair).
Additional Features & Amenities
About the Architect: Joseph Esherick
11 Crest Road has been featured in several publications. It was designed by Joseph Esherick, recipient of the prestigious American Institute of Architects Gold Medal (AIA’s highest honor is awarded to one person per year for having a lasting impact on the theory and practice of architecture). Past MCM recipients include Frank Lloyd Wright and William Wurster; others include Bernard Maybeck, I.M. Pei, Julia Morgan, Paul Revere Williams, and Buckminster Fuller. Enigmatic and self-effacing, Esherick who taught generations of architectural students at U.C. Berkeley, often noted that the “ideal building is one you don’t see.”
In Esherick’s mind, designs came from the inside out, making form secondary to aspects like views and light. ''Beauty,'' he said, ''is a byproduct of solving problems correctly.''
Iconic examples of Esherick’s aesthetic in public consciousness include: Cannery Row in San Francisco, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the demonstration homes at Sea Ranch, which seem to disappear into the coastal landscape. He also designed many buildings at Stanford University and is largely considered among the greatest influences across decades, in Bay Area real estate architecture.
Large, historic homes perched on hillsides with commanding views of San Francisco Bay define Belvedere, one of Marin County and the Bay Area’s most desirable communities. With waterfront vistas that rival the Côte d'Azur (and prices to match), Belvedere is one of Marin's most exclusive enclaves.
Waterfront activities are the reason many people move to Belvedere. Located on two former islands now filled in with causeways and separated by a private lagoon popular with kayakers, Belvedere is all about water. The San Francisco Yacht Club calls the city home.
There’s no disputing that Belvedere is pricey.