Art and Architecture: Villa Vine

Thursday is broker’s tour day in Berkeley, where us Realtors debut the new listings for the week. Sometimes when I drive up to a house, I know right away that something special is inside. Sometimes I am surprised. Surprise would be a grand understatement for the newly listed house at 1049 Keith Ave, presented by Marc Guay of Coldwell Banker. According to Marc, this house was built in 1922 for Mr and Mrs. Paul Beygreau around the theme of wine and winemaking and is known as “Villa Vine.”  Mrs. Beygreau (first name unknown) is reported to have acted as the plaster artist and woodcarver for all the architecture details. Whoever the original architect was, he and Mrs. Beygreau clearly worked well together, because both the structure and the finishes flow in a great harmony with each other.

The details are found in the thematically carved doors (showing the making and enjoyment of wine), the plaster vines and vine clusters, the corner fireplaces with plaster sculptures, and the carved wood paneling and columns. As for the architecture itself, a few of the highlights include extra-high ceilings, a Romanesque sunken shower, and a 900sq ft grand master bedroom with a glass-topped Rotanda that reportedly is the setting for the famous “Spiderman” photo taken of etching-artist John Winkler by Imogene Cunningham.

While the house is for sale, it is not being held open to the general public. Click here for the marketing brochure. Perhaps the new owner will allow access for some future Berkeley Architectural Heritage Tour. It is deserving of much praise.

P.S. One more interesting historical tidbit I discovered: 1049 Keith Ave is the listed address for a patent granted in 1981 to a Reda Z. Sobky. His invention: an “Automatic moist pet food server.”

And check out the gold-painted clawfoot tub off the kitchen. Did they blend wine in it?

Brett Weinstein is the broker and co-founder of Realty Advocates, a Berkeley-focused real estate firm in business since 1986. Besides appreciating Berkeley’s architectural treasures, he has found over 100 murals painted throughout the City. Click here to see his archive, or read his other blog posts.