Architecture buffs will appreciate the history of this modernist Russian Hill abode, built in 1961 by William Wurster, former dean of UC Berkeley's architecture school, for an artist and art collector.
The space teems with design flair and features 19-foot ceilings and paneled walls in original redwood single plank, floor-to-ceiling windows, and clean built-ins. A renovation by Kuth Ranieri Architects in 2007 earned the residence a merit award for Excellence in Interior Architecture from AIA San Francisco.
The renovation connected the interiors with the surrounding landscape, the city, and bay with expansive views and indoor-outdoor living. The home was reorganized to adopt a flowing open floor plan. Reminiscent of modern Mexico City architecture, the facade is minimal and unassuming—stacked all-white boxes with a wood door. Photographer and publisher Michael McDonell, who moved into the house in 1989, described the structure to SFGate as "understated" but "an art piece by itself."
Just under 5,000 square feet, the residence is divided into two separate units spanning five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Panoramas of the city serve as inspiration for the creatively inclined. Step through a courtyard with a zen garden that flows into the heart of the home—a living room with towering ceilings. A clean, geometric fireplace anchors the space offering an inviting warmth and glow to the otherwise monochrome space. A wet bar provides a transition into a casual sitting room and dining area.
A wood staircase leading up to the second level offers glimpses of Coin Tower. The upper floor opens up to a family room and kitchen with dining space. Glass doors open to a spacious deck with a panoramic vew of the bay.
Find private quarters in the back where two bedrooms share a bathroom with a soaking tub. Up another flight of stairs is a luxe primary suite flooded in natural light thanks to twin skylights and multiple floor-to-ceiling windows. Adding a bit of edge is a stone-hued gas fireplace that spans an entire wall. The master also has an adjacent cozy sitting area with built-in shelving with a private deck. An elevator connects all floors.
An airy guest suite was designed in 2013 in a bright palette of white and glass. Fully equipped, the unit has its own living and dining area, full kitchen, sizable bathroom with soaking tub and dual sink vanity, work space, separate patio, and its own garage. This space was updated by SF's Lundberg Design as an "open, modern, gallery-like refuge" for their clients' weekly visits to the city."
With backgrounds in art and textiles, they honed in on a minimal and functional design. They replaced walls with sliding planes of glass and drapery, washed the space in white, and modernized windows with recessed frames extending from floor to ceiling. According to the project brief, "a new palette of warm white wood floors, white tile, translucent glass, and sheer white and warm grey draperies creates an airy, ethereal quality to the space and allows select artwork, choice personal items, and food and drink to be the focus."
To instill stylish efficiency, they added in built-ins and bookshelves, and the bathroom was expanded to house an open shower, large soaking tub, and double vanity. A fireplace that's visible from all spaces was also added to add warmth on chilly days.
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Size: 4,988 sq. ft.
Asking price: $7,000,000
// 2424 Jones St. (Russian Hill); for more information, visit 2424jones.com.
