1049 Keith Ave

• Sun Apr 26, 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

  In the early 1920s, artist-architect Paul Beygrau and his wife Marie Rosalie Schaff, a gifted woodcarver from Alsace, arrived in Berkeley and created what many consider their collaborative masterwork. Featured on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle in 1928 and described as “the most remarkable expression of domestic art and architecture in the Bay Region,” the home reflects extraordinary craftsmanship throughout. Hand-carved wooden doors, intricate inlaid hardwood floors, and sculptural plaster ceilings anchor grand living and dining rooms wrapped in solid redwood wainscoting. Upstairs, the primary suite opens through French doors to sweeping Bay views and a dramatic deck among the trees. Terraced gardens cascade down the hillside, while a detached apartment with loft and private terrace offers flexible guest or studio space.

Some homes are built. Others are composed. In the early 1920s, artist-architect Paul Beygrau and his wife, Marie Rosalie Schaff, a gifted woodcarver from Alsace, arrived in Berkeley after distinguished work abroad. Trained in both fine arts and architecture, Beygrau had designed interiors for royal commissions in England and public buildings in Winnipeg. Together, they turned to a deeply personal project in the Berkeley hills, creating neighboring homes that would express their shared artistic vision. Home Energy Score of 1 At 1049 and 1051 Keith Avenue, they produced what many regard as their collaborative masterwork - a rare expression of European artistry translated into California architecture. Featured on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle in 1928, the home was described as “the most remarkable expression of domestic art and architecture in the Bay Region.” At 1049 Keith, artistry is present in nearly every surface. Massive hand-carved doors, reportedly shaped by Marie herself, open to interiors rich in material and craft. Inlaid hardwood floors run throughout, while the living and dining rooms unfold with grand scale, clad in solid redwood wainscoting. Overhead, decorative ceilings reflect European fresco traditions, reimagined in sculptural plaster and painted finishes. The main level is anchored by these dramatic spaces, along with a period-inspired kitchen and marble-appointed bath. Upstairs, the primary suite feels expansive - defined by a columned atrium ceiling and French doors opening to a sweeping view deck. Two additional bedrooms offer distinct character: one wrapped in warm wood for a more intimate feel, the other a larger, double-sized room with fireplace, garden access, and an ornate ceiling. Outside, the grounds cascade in a series of terraces - an upper level for dining and gathering, a middle expanse for recreation, and lower gardens with raised beds for planting. A detached apartment, tucked privately on the property, includes a lofted sleeping area and its own terrace, ideal for guests or creative use. At once architectural artifact and living home, 1049 Keith Avenue offers something rare: a place where history, artistry, and daily life meet in enduring form

Current Status

New

Original Price

$2,198,000

List Price

$2,198,000

On Market Date

Apr 21, 2026

Property Type

Detached

D/N/S

Berkeley Hills

Zip Code

94708

MLS ID

41131706

APN

63297436

Year Built

1922

Stories in Building

2

Possession

Close Of Escrow

Data Source

MAXEBRDI

Origin MLS System

Bridge AOR

Bed

4

Bath

4

Parking

1

Detached

SQ FT

3,425

SQ FT Source

Measured

Lot SQ FT

6,510.0

Lot Acres

0.15 Acres

Pool Info

None

Kitchen

Gas Range, Free-Standing Range, Dryer, Washer, Gas Water Heater, Counter - Solid Surface, Gas Range/Cooktop, Range/Oven Free Standing

Cooling

None

Disclosures

Disclosure Package Avail

Entry Level

Exterior Details

Garden, Back Yard, Garden/Play, Terraced Up, Entry Gate

Flooring

Hardwood, Tile, Other

Foundation

Fire Place

Wood Burning

Heating

Forced Air

Laundry

Dryer, Washer

Main Level

1 Bath, Main Entry

Possession

Close Of Escrow

Architectural Style

French

Construction Status

Existing

Additional Miscellaneous Features

Garden, Back Yard, Garden/Play, Terraced Up, Entry Gate

Location

Sloped Up, Back Yard, Landscaped

Roof

Composition Shingles

Fee

Unavailable

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