865 Contra Costa Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707
- $2,295,000
- 4
- BD
- 3
- BA
- 2,905
- SqFt
- List Price
- $2,295,000
- Status
- ACTIVE
- MLS#
- 41149025
- Year Built
- 1916
- Property Type
- Detached
- Bedrooms
- 4
- Bathrooms
- 3
- Full Bathrooms
- 3
- Living Area
- 2,905
- Lot Size
- 5,265
- Acres
- 0.12
- County
- Alameda
- Subdivision
- Thousand Oaks
Property Description
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!
Additional Information
- Style
- Traditional
- Stories
- 2
- Garage Spaces
- 1
- Appliances
- Dishwasher, Free-Standing Range, Refrigerator, Dryer, Washer
- Exterior
- Wood Siding
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Fireplace Features
- Living Room, Kitchen
- Flooring
- Hardwood, Tile, Other
- Kitchen Features
- Breakfast Nook, Dishwasher, Range/Oven Free Standing, Refrigerator, Updated Kitchen
- Laundry Features
- Laundry Room
- Lot Description
- Other
- Total Number of Rooms
- 9
- Parking Features
- Detached
- Pool Type
- None
- Roof
- Composition Shingles, Bitumen
- View
- Bay, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, City
- Water Sewer
- Public
- Elementary School
- Berkeley (510) 644-6150
- High School
- Berkeley (510) 644-6150
Mortgage Calculator
Listing courtesy of Anna Bellomo from District Homes. 510-417-9390
Bay East © 2026. CCAR © 2026. BridgeMLS © 2026. Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed. This information is being provided by the Bay East MLS, or CCAR MLS, or bridgeMLS. The listings presented here may or may not be listed by the Broker/Agent operating this website. This information is intended for the personal use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data last updated on: