The Hume Cloister, prominently located on Buena Vista Way in Berkeley, CA, is a historic Gothic Revival estate designed in 1927 by John Hudson Thomas for Samuel and Portia Bell Hume. Inspired by a 13th-century French monastery, this exquisite property blends architectural grandeur with artistic and intellectual heritage, reflecting the lives of its original owners—a UC Berkeley professor and a pioneering psychiatrist. Set on over two-thirds of an acre, the estate offers stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, including a perfectly framed view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the terrace. Listed at $7,450,000, the Hume Cloister is more than just a home; it is a rare blend of history, design, and soul, offering a timeless retreat ready for its next chapter.
Main Level Layout
This floor plan highlights the primary living spaces of a spacious home, focused around a large central cloister measuring 35’10” square and surrounded by an expansive entryway. The main level features an airy living room measuring 26’1″ by 31’5″ with dual fireplaces, adjacent to a formal dining room lined with closets. The kitchen, sized 12’10” by 24’4″, flows directly to the dining area for convenience. Three en-suite bedrooms with accompanying baths are situated thoughtfully around the perimeter for privacy. Additional spaces include a laundry room, mechanical rooms, and multiple well-placed closets, emphasizing practical luxury in layout and function.
Home Site Plan Overview
This spacious and thoughtfully designed estate plan features a large residence at the heart of the property, flanked by a separate guest house area. Surrounding patios create smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor living spaces, connecting the home with garden areas and a bocce court. Unique outdoor elements include a koi pond, fish pool with a bridging walkway, and a spa on a wooden deck. Lush greenery and mature trees frame the property, providing privacy and natural beauty. Ample parking and well-defined pathways enhance accessibility while preserving a serene, landscaped ambiance.
Central Courtyard
This central courtyard features a classic Mediterranean design with terracotta roof tiles and intricate stone columns lining the perimeter, creating an open, airy ambiance. The geometric tiled floor centers around an octagonal stone well adorned with wrought iron detailing, surrounded by manicured bushes and white flowering plants. Tall slender cypress trees add height and greenery, framing the layout elegantly. Soft warm lighting illuminates the archways, highlighting the detailed stonework and casting inviting glows along the walkway. The elevated vantage captures a panoramic city and bay view, blending historic charm with natural beauty.
Entryway to Living Area
Step into a grand entryway distinguished by rich stone arches and vaulted ceilings that evoke historic European architecture. The terracotta floor tiles enhance the warm, earthy palette which harmonizes with the carved wooden door and antique bench adorned with plush cushions for comfort. Soft wall sconces cast a gentle glow, emphasizing the textured stone walls. The space elegantly transitions via a short staircase into a cozy living area featuring modern furniture and a mix of natural tones, balancing rustic charm with contemporary comfort. Intricate wrought iron balcony railings add a touch of artisanal detail visible in the background.
Living Room with Cathedral Details
This magnificent living room features a soaring vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams that enhance its cathedral ambiance. Walls are composed of textured stone blocks, highlighting arched doorways and windows that bring a historic, castle-like charm. A dramatic wrought iron chandelier hangs centrally, complementing the dark iron balcony railing on the upper mezzanine, which adds architectural interest and depth. Neutral tones dominate the space with cream-colored sofas and taupe armchairs, layered with plush fur and velvet cushions for warmth. A large dark wood coffee table anchors the seating area atop a thick, light beige rug, blending rustic and elegant influences harmoniously.
Living Room Details
This spacious living room blends rustic and modern aesthetics with its exposed heavy wooden beams and stone walls that create a castle-like ambiance. Large arched windows allow natural light to flood the room, highlighting the soft, neutral palette of creams, browns, and warm wood tones. The seating area features sleek, contemporary furniture including a white curved sofa, two rounded brown armchairs, and a dark wood coffee table adorned with books and a floral centerpiece. A textured beige rug adds warmth underfoot. Decorative accents like a large wall mirror, sculptural objects on a console table, and a perforated golden floor lamp bring refined artistry to the space. The open layout and intricate wrought-iron balcony railing add architectural interest, perfectly balancing grandeur with cozy inviting comfort.
Living Room Loft Overview
This spacious living room loft features a vaulted wooden ceiling with exposed beams, adding rich texture and warmth to the space. The walls are constructed of rustic stone blocks, lending a castle-like ambiance. Below, a comfortable seating area includes neutral-toned sofas and a cozy armchair, arranged around a warm fireplace. Large windows with wrought iron detailing flood the room with natural light while offering views of the outdoors. An intricate wrought iron railing runs along the loft’s balcony, which overlooks the living area and connects to an adjacent study or reading nook. Earthy tones dominate the palette, blending wood, stone, and soft furnishings harmoniously.
Home Office Nook
This cozy workspace is tucked under a sloping wooden ceiling with exposed beams, creating a warm and rustic atmosphere. The room features a large built-in desk with dark wood surfaces that contrast elegantly with the light stone walls and floorboards. A classical white bust lamp adds a unique artistic touch alongside a cream-upholstered chair. At the far end, a low window with arched openings offers plenty of natural light and stunning views, accompanied by a small cushioned seating area accented with soft throws. The ornate wrought-iron railing and dark shelving unit enrich the space with intricate detailing and storage for books and decorative pieces. A natural animal hide rug grounds the area, enhancing the room’s blend of traditional and contemporary design elements.
Dining Room Details
This dining room features a rustic yet elegant design with exposed dark wooden beams contrasting against light stone walls. Dominating the room is a long, rectangular wooden dining table surrounded by eight sleek white upholstered chairs that add modernity to the space. A striking fireplace with detailed stone carvings serves as the focal point, enhancing warmth and charm. Natural light floods the room through large, grid-paned windows, complemented by a natural fiber rug underfoot. Unique pendant lights hang from the ceiling, paired with classic wall sconces that provide soft, inviting illumination. A large gold-framed mirror and a contemporary table lamp add sophistication and balance on one side of the room.
Rustic Kitchen Details
This kitchen showcases a blend of rustic and industrial design elements with a spacious and open layout. The warm terracotta tile flooring complements the exposed concrete block walls, providing an earthy, grounded atmosphere. Ornate wooden cabinetry with intricate carved details lines the perimeter, topped with dark countertops that contrast beautifully with the stainless steel Wolf range and double ovens. Above the stove, a large, ornately carved wooden range hood serves as a dramatic focal point. Natural light filters through narrow, arched windows and a tall, cathedral-style glass door, enhancing the medieval-inspired gothic aesthetic. Black wrought iron sconces add subtle ambiance to the space.
Bedroom Sanctuary
This spacious bedroom features a harmonious blend of rustic and modern styles, with exposed concrete block walls and a dramatic wood-beamed ceiling stained in a deep brown that adds warmth and texture. Two graceful arched windows bring in abundant natural light, framed by intricate stonework, offering views of lush greenery outside. The neutral color palette of beige, taupe, and gray is enlivened by mustard yellow accent pillows and a cozy armchair, adding a pop of vibrant color. A plush upholstered bed anchors the room, complemented by minimalist bedside tables and a soft, large area rug, creating a serene and inviting retreat.
Cozy Window Seating
This intimate corner features two mustard yellow tufted armchairs with round gray accent pillows, positioned side by side near stunning gothic-style arched windows. The windows are framed with intricately carved stone and black metal mullions, allowing ample natural light to pour in and offering a serene view of lush green trees outside. Between the chairs stands a small, white geometric side table, adding a modern contrast to the historic stone walls. A slender wall sconce with a clear glass shade casts a warm glow, enhancing the cozy and elegant atmosphere of this tranquil nook.
Vanity and Dressing Area
This serene nook features built-in wooden vanities with intricate gothic arch detailing, providing two quaint dressing spaces illuminated by warm globe lights. Each vanity is paired with a cushioned stool with crossed metal legs adding a touch of elegance. The flooring is laid with hexagonal tiles blending with the neutral woven rugs that soften the area. Walls are composed of textured stone blocks extending to a high ceiling accented with exposed wooden beams. A distinct arched glass door with ornamental tracery opens to an outdoor garden view, bringing natural light and greenery inside, enriching the calming ambiance.
Bathroom Shower Area
This bathroom features an open walk-in shower with a rustic yet modern appeal. The shower walls are adorned with multi-colored brick tiles in earth tones of gray, mustard, and rust, creating a warm, inviting texture. Two rainfall showerheads are mounted on the tiled wall, with an inset niche for toiletries that blends seamlessly into the tiled pattern. The shower floor contrasts with small, rounded pebble-style tiles, providing a tactile sensation underfoot. Outside, the pedestal sink with vintage-style bronze fixtures and a matching framed mirror complements the rough concrete block wall, accented by dark brown exposed ceiling beams. Warm hexagonal terracotta floor tiles complete the look, enhancing the room’s earthy, industrial charm.
Bedroom with Arched Windows
This bedroom exudes a serene, rustic charm with its exposed beam ceiling painted in a warm taupe and textured concrete block walls. Natural light floods the room through grand, gothic-inspired arched windows opening to a lush outdoor view. The bed is adorned with neutral bedding layered with cozy cushions and a striped throw, while two plush, tufted ottomans offer casual seating at its foot. A single armchair sits invitingly near the window. Modern brass wall sconces and a contemporary chandelier provide ambient lighting, contrasting beautifully with the room’s earthy, architectural elements and textured tile floor.
Garden Pathway Bridge
This serene outdoor space features a charming wooden arched bridge painted in a warm reddish tone, set above a narrow water feature teeming with green aquatic plants. The bridge connects two terracotta-tiled walkways lined with lush, varied greenery and neatly arranged shrubs. Alongside the bridge, the textured stone exterior of the house highlights tall, narrow windows with elegant pointed arches, adding architectural interest and historic character. Mature trees frame the backdrop, providing dappled shade and a natural canopy, while the overall color palette blends earthy reds, greens, and stone grays, creating a peaceful, inviting garden retreat.
Garden Greenhouse
This outdoor garden greenhouse is nestled among lush greenery, surrounded by mature trees and foliage. The structure features a classic peaked roof design made of clear glass panes supported by a light metallic frame, allowing abundant natural light to flood the interior. Inside, wooden shelves with a natural finish run along both sides and the back wall, offering ample workspace for planting and nurturing plants. The concrete base provides sturdy support, while the pathway leading to the greenhouse is made up of irregular stone slabs, enhancing the organic, garden aesthetic.
Cozy Living Room
This inviting living room features a high, vaulted wooden ceiling with exposed beams in a warm brown hue contrasting against textured light gray block walls. A spacious L-shaped sectional sofa in soft beige is complemented by plush cushions and a dark throw, creating a comfortable lounging area. Two rounded armchairs with beige upholstery and circular accent pillows add symmetry opposite the sofa. A rugged, industrial-style coffee table anchors the seating group, decorated with books and a vase of green foliage. The room’s natural palette, mixed textures, and soft ambient lighting foster a cozy, balanced atmosphere. Large floor mirrors and modern lamps brighten and visually expand the space, while a patterned carpet in neutral tones subtly ties the elements together.
Living and Dining Space
This open-plan living and dining area features an industrial aesthetic with exposed concrete block walls and a high vaulted ceiling with visible beams painted in a warm taupe color. The dining section includes a modern rectangular table in dark wood tones, accompanied by six cushioned chairs in a light beige fabric. The living area presents subtle comfort with two rounded armchairs and a sofa draped with a charcoal gray throw rug, set atop a textured area rug in cream and black. A cylindrical pendant light fixture hangs centrally, providing soft illumination, while a large open window invites natural light and a view of greenery outside, blending interior and exterior spaces beautifully.
Cozy Bedroom Retreat
This bedroom presents a harmonious blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. The exposed concrete block walls and vaulted ceiling with dark exposed beams emphasize a sturdy, industrial vibe, while the warm terracotta tile flooring adds earthiness. An elegant wrought-iron chandelier and matching wall sconces contribute a vintage touch. The bed, upholstered in soft neutral tones, is fronted by a plush white rug that cushions the floors. Golden yellow drapes punctuate the arched windows, casting warmth into the room. Cozy reading area with a rounded, textured armchair and a leather desk chair invite relaxation and productivity, balancing style with function.
Terrace Seating Area
This outdoor terrace features a spacious layout with terracotta tile flooring that adds warmth and Mediterranean charm. The gray stone exterior wall with intricately designed Gothic-style arched windows creates architectural interest and authenticity. A modern round dining table in muted gray is surrounded by six white, woven chairs, offering a comfortable and stylish spot for al fresco dining. Lush potted greenery lines the edges of the terrace, blending nature with the architectural elements against a backdrop of vibrant green trees and a clear blue sky, emphasizing a serene and inviting atmosphere.
Outdoor Terrace and Facade
This charming outdoor terrace features terracotta tiles that complement the Mediterranean-style architecture of the home. The facade is made of textured stone with elegant arched windows and French doors that invite natural light into the interior spaces. The terra-cotta roof tiles and chimneys add to the rustic yet refined ambiance. Outdoor furniture includes a white metal dining set and a cozy seating area with cushioned sofas, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The lush greenery surrounding the property adds privacy and enhances the serene, picturesque setting nestled among towering trees and hillside homes.
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Listing Agent: Adrienne Tunney Krumins of The GRUBB Company via Zillow