1726 San Jose Ave.

The classic Craftsman exterior includes a covered side entrance porch with weathered red bricks and stucco pediments topped with iconic inverted columns. A carefully designed front garden was planted with citrus, fig, rosemary, lavender, and pear, interspersed with native and water-wise plantings. The interior was tastefully updated with contemporary yet traditional finishes for a modern lifestyle, while respectful of the home’s vintage roots and aesthetic. The spacious living and dining rooms include tray ceilings, a stately oak floor bordered with inlaid rosewood, and abundant natural light. The living room features a gas fireplace refaced with stunning Carrara marble picket tiles. An understated wood mantel extends across built-in vintage bookcases on either side of the fireplace, sitting beneath a pair of traditional Craftsman transom windows. The dining room offers many of its own decorative details, including beautiful Gumwood panel wainscoting, and the original unpainted door and window trim so valued in Craftsman homes today.

The kitchen sits to the right of the dining room, and offers a sturdy oak floor, refinished butcher block counters, a KitchenAid gas range, ample kitchen cabinets and an eat-in breakfast nook for casual meals. From the kitchen, a half flight of stairs leads down to a finished bonus space that includes a fully updated bathroom, laundry room, attached garage and a family room/home office with sliding doors that open to the backyard patio.

The home’s bedrooms are unusually spacious for a home of this era and situated on a split upper level up from the dining room. Both bedrooms feature a vintage oak floor, and have numerous windows offering views of the tranquil backyard garden and a magnificent California live oak tree that’s likely been there for decades. A second updated bathroom sits between the bedrooms, and has a tub/shower combination.

A special feature of this lovely home is the deep, park-like private backyard that seems to go on forever! Many mature camellias and evergreen trees shade the property in addition to the specimen live oak, while new landscaping includes a lawn, colorful sage, native grasses and drought-tolerant plantings. Many patios and seating areas are interwoven into the yard’s design, creating tranquil spots to entertain or to simply relax.

1726 San Jose Ave provides the rare opportunity to acquire a move-in-ready, vintage home with original features complemented with thoughtful updates, all in a highly desirable Alameda neighborhood. Centrally located close to highly regarded schools, family parks, the shoreline and convenient shopping, this exceptional home is a true Alameda gem!