775 San Diego Rd

• Thu Aug 20, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

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• Sun Aug 23, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

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• Sat Aug 29, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

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At 775 San Diego Road, directly across from John Hinkel Park, the Kip House is one of the remarkable early residential works of Berkeley modernist Donald Olsen. Designed in 1952 for UC Berkeley physicist Arthur Frederic Kip, the house belongs to a formative moment in Olsen’s career, when the principles of European modernism — particularly the Bauhaus — were finding a new expression in California. Olsen embraced the Bauhaus’ emphasis on clarity, functional planning and the elimination of unnecessary ornament. An austere simplicity that feels like the way we want to live today. More than seventy years later, it is striking how modern the Kip House feels. Its clean geometry, expanses of glass and remarkably fluid plan still read as contemporary Olsen uses the slope of the site to create a sequence of subtly changing levels. The approach leads to an intermediate level containing the kitchen and dining spaces. The kitchen opens directly to the dining room — and continues outward into a secluded English garden, a backyard that feels like another room of the house. From this central level, the plan rises to a raised living room and study, while two of the bedrooms occupy the lower portion of the house.  Large glazed walls bring the surrounding trees into almost every room, dissolving the distinction between interior and exterior. The effect changes constantly through the day as light, foliage and shadow move across the rooms. Against this composition, notice how the red balcony brings a flash of color and geometry, a nod to the use of primary colors and  work of Le Corbusier. Directly across the street is John Hinkel Park, giving the house an unusual degree of greenery and quiet despite being only minutes from central Berkeley. Energy Score is 1. At approximately 1,904 square feet, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a study, the house is exceptionally laid out, with very little wasted circulation and almost no space without a purpose. The Kip House makes the ideas of the past feel relevant today: open living, connection to landscape, efficient use of space, privacy without enclosure and architecture that responds closely to its site.  And now, for only the second time in its history, the house awaits its next steward — someone who recognizes its architectural significance, embraces its magic, and comes to love it as deeply as the Kips and its current owner have.

Current Status

New

Original Price

$1,425,000

List Price

$1,425,000

On Market Date

Aug 19, 2026

Property Type

Detached

D/N/S

Thousand Oaks

Zip Code

94707

MLS ID

41145455

APN

612580381

Year Built

1952

Stories in Building

3

Possession

Close Of Escrow

Data Source

MAXEBRDI

Origin MLS System

Bridge AOR

Bed

3

Bath

2

Parking

1

Carport

SQ FT

1,904

SQ FT Source

Public Records

Lot SQ FT

5,718.0

Lot Acres

0.13 Acres

Pool Info

None

Kitchen

Dishwasher, Gas Range, Refrigerator, Dryer, Washer, Gas Range/Cooktop

Cooling

None

Disclosures

Other - Call/See Agent

Entry Level

Exterior Details

Landscape Back

Flooring

Hardwood, Tile, Other

Foundation

Fire Place

Living Room

Heating

Forced Air

Laundry

Dryer, Laundry Room, Washer

Main Level

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

Possession

Close Of Escrow

Architectural Style

Mid Century Modern

Construction Status

Existing

Additional Miscellaneous Features

Landscape Back

Location

Other

Roof

Bitumen

Water and Sewer

Public

Fee

Unavailable

MLS and other Information regarding properties for sale as shown in Theo have been obtained from various sources such as sellers, public records, agents and other third parties. This information may relate to the condition of the property, permitted or unpermitted uses, zoning, square footage, lot size/acreage or other matters affecting value or desirability. Unless otherwise indicated in writing, neither brokers, agents nor Theo have verified, or will verify, such information. If any such information is important to buyer in determining whether to buy, the price to pay or intended use of the property, buyer is urged to conduct their own investigation with qualified professionals, satisfy themselves with respect to that information, and to rely solely on the results of that investigation.

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