Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

A Beautifully Restored Midcentury in the Berkeley Hills

A Beautifully Restored Midcentury in the Berkeley Hills

Under the guidance of the home’s original architect, Tom Lowe, the current owners performed a 10-year renovation that includes a garage-turned-ADU.

Another slice of architectural history is up for grabs in the Bay Area. Dating back to 1975, the multilevel dwelling, originally designed by prolific architect Tom Lowe, sits nestled in the hills of Berkeley, California.



After acquiring the Berkeley home in 2011, current owners Kate and Casey McEachern renovated the space from top to bottom and even converted the garage into an ADU.

"This home adheres to the midcentury ethos of architecture blending with the environment," says Kate McEachern, who, along with her partner, Casey, purchased the property from the original owners in 2011. "We were stunned by the view of Claremont Canyon the first time we walked in."



The interior of the converted garage boasts matches the primary residence.

Throughout the last 10 years of ownership, the McEacherns have treated the residence to a thoughtful restoration-and even leaned on Tom Lowe for advice. "I reached out to him in 2017 and he surprised us by dropping by for an impromptu visit," says Kate. "We sat with Lowe for hours, probing him about the design process and why he made certain decisions."



"What makes the ADU special is that it is one of only about 20,000 Airbnb Plus homes globally," says Kate. The couple installed large horizontal windows to take advantage of the canyon views.



Patterned wallpaper adds vibrant color to the ADU’s otherwise all-white bathroom.

At three stories, the residence spreads across 2,314 square feet, and includes a garage that was converted into a turnkey ADU in 2015. "At the time, I was a senior designer for Airbnb Plus and our unit was certified as one of only about 20,000 Plus properties globally," states Kate. "The income from renting out the unit has covered the cost of our mortgage since the conversion, which allowed us to further invest in renovating and restoring the space."



A bold yellow door extends a warm welcome inside the main residence. "When we first visited the home, we were captivated by how well the forest-green exterior blended with the surrounding wooded environment," notes Kate.



The main entrance leads to the top floor, where a great room featuring an open floor plan awaits.

Drenched in natural light, the main residence offers an open floor plan, encompassed by extensive glazing which allows sweeping canyon views. Vaulted wood ceilings contrast with the surrounding white walls, creating an overall sense of openness and calm.



A textured tile wall elevates visual interest in the dining area, while a corner fireplace in the living room pays homage to the minimalism of the midcentury aesthetic.

"We wanted to preserve as many original details as possible to honor the architecture while modernizing the space," explains Kate. "We meticulously restored every inch of the home with period-specific details, like Concrete Collaborative terrazzo and Heath Ceramics tile." Other notable updates include a new roof, solar panels, and an electric vehicle charging station.



Another view of the living room showcases the home’s original post and beam construction.



A long terrace on the top floor extends the living spaces outdoors.

"For us, the architecture plus the location made it the perfect home," says Kate. "It's sited just a few minutes from Rockridge and Elmwood, but feels completely private and secluded with hiking trails at the end of the street." Keep scrolling to see more of the property, now listed for $1,399,000.



The galley kitchen comes with all new appliances, a ceramic backsplash, and plentiful storage.



An additional family room awaits off the kitchen-a space which can easily be converted into a breakfast nook or office area.



In total, the main residence features three bedrooms. The primary en suite presents a calming retreat, complete with ample closet space and a spa-like bath.



Another one of the bedrooms opens up to an additional terrace overlooking the landscape.



A view of the back facade highlights the home’s extensive glazing and outdoor space.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
×