Mid-Century Tranquility On Russian Hill, $8M
Author:Philip Ferrato
With a career spanning decades, William Wurster [1895–1973] remains one of the Bay Area’s most influential and deeply admired architects. Important as a teacher and mentor to generations of architects, Wurster was among the founders of what is now UC Berkeley’s School of Environmental Design. Among other achievements, he was part of the team that conceived Ghirardelli Square, a complex we take for granted today but which was, in the ’60s, among the first adaptive reuse projects in this country; his firm’s work reached across all areas of civic, commercial, and residential construction in the Bay Area.
But there’s another side to the well-born architect’s career– the design of immaculately produced residences for his prosperous and sophisticated social circle. Over the years bracketing WWII, Wurster produced a collection of deceptively simple, exquisitely detailed wood houses that have never lost their allure. A master of framed views and serenely composed interior spaces of unadorned materials, his private houses are among the most coveted properties in the Bay Area, and the c.1961 house at 2424 Jones Street is no exception.
Perched on the edge of Russian Hill, the 2-unit building consists of a 4-bedroom triplex entered through a courtyard plus a 1-bedroom in-law or guest suite. With all levels connected by an elevator, it presents an exceptionally flexible floor plan. Below, the soaring volume of the living room, paneled in whitewashed redwood. Sliding panels open to reveal a quest suite.
Upstairs, an open living/dining area and kitchen opens to glorious views of San Francisco.
An extensive 2007 renovation of the triplex by Kuth Ranieri Architects won an AIA award. Below, details of the bath and the exquisite fireplace in the top-floor primary suite.
Below, the lower level suite, renovated by architect Olle Lundberg in 2013.
More: Go to the comprehensive and beautifully produced dedicated site for additional details, images, floor plans and 3D tours of each unit. An unique opportunity to own a view property with a serious architectural pedigree, represented by San Francisco luxury property veteran Max Armour at Compass.
Photo Credit: Mario Serafin