Well, there certainly has been a lot of Flintstones real estate this year!
The iconic Hillsborough, Calif. landmark at 45 Berryessa Way, affectionately known as the “Flintstone House,” is listed for the first time in 19 years for $4.2 million. Designed in 1976 by Bay Area architect William Nicholson, the single family home received its nickname for its unique exterior which boasts multiple stone domes in an organic flow.
The unique appearance of the home is the result of Nicholson’s use of experimental architecture and non-traditional building materials. The bubble-like domes were constructed by spraying shotcrete onto steel rebar and mesh frames over inflated aeronautical balloons. Originally painted off-white, the one-of-a-kind building was painted orange in 2007 and now includes a purple accent dome.
Nestled into the hillside overlooking Crystal Springs Reservoir, the exceptional residence has been admired by tourists and travelers alike. However, as San Francisco builder and project manager Wayne Da San Martino explains, it wasn’t always loved and initially met resistance in the community.
The current owner, in the spirit of the home’s style, made a number of enhancements to match her aesthetic. She commissioned world-renowned Emeryville architect Eugene Tsui to design her kitchen. Tsui implemented his signature “biologic” design with lighted niches and appliance enclosures, glass countertops encased with diagonal metal spines, swinging wood cutout doors, drawers, and cabinets. Famed Burning Man artist, Dan Das Mann, fabricated a beautiful steel door with rectangular coils protruding from the surface. The intimate living room with its domed ceiling has a sunk-in conversation pit with circular seating, a fireplace, and an amoeba-shaped window cut specifically to hide the freeway while showcasing Crystal Springs Reservoir. The owner enhanced the intimate setting with specially made orange colored plaster for the seating area and tangerine accents.
Pet dinosaur, not included.
Listed for: $4.2 million
This post was originally published on RISMedia’s blog, Housecall. Check the blog daily for winning real estate tips and trends for you and your clients.
