JUNE 2025 BERKELEY LUXURY PROPERTY ALERT: You’ll never forget the first time you see the Hume Cloister, a private estate in the North Berkeley hills that takes you to another time and place: rural France. Stone wishing well included!
I had a chance to tour the property when it was last for sale in 2016 and was stunned that this estate, modeled after a French monastery, was right there, a stone’s throw from the best of Berkeley, just on the north side of UC Berkeley .
$1.9 million in improvements later, 2900 Buena Vista Way is now available to a visionary buyer. (Here’s the listing.)
This property was designed by pioneering Berkeley architect Bernard Maybeck, whose work you might have seen from a little place in San Francisco known as the Palace of Fine Arts. Yes, that one!
Here are 5 reasons the Hume Estate is a history-lovers’ dream luxury property:
1. Culinary Delights Nearby: You’re just a hop away from coveted food spots: Enjoy pizza, daily baguettes, and artisanal cheese from the Cheeseboard, savor a meal at the iconic Chez Panisse, and stock up on fresh produce at Monterey Market. Plus, refill your pantry sustainably at one of my favorite stores, The Filling Station. Plus the original Peet’s Coffee is just down the hill.
2. Nature’s Playground: With Tilden Park close by, you can hike to your heart’s content or take a scenic bike ride on Grizzly Peak, which is also a conduit to Hwy 24 and points north and south.
3. Unmatched Views: The vistas from the Hume Estate encompass breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay that make every day an elevated living experience.
4. Move-In Ready Convenience: It’s not often you find a move-in ready monastery. In the middle of paradise (my nickname for North Berkeley). The Hume Cloister retains its old-world charm with modern updates, such as electrical and plumbing, making it a dream to insure (a dream we all have!) and to maintain.
5. Perfect for Entertaining: The Hume Estate isn’t just a home; it’s a conversation piece. Its unique architectural beauty provides the perfect backdrop for entertaining guests, where the home itself becomes the topic of admiration.
Preview with the Wall Street Journal article, or better yet, tour in person.
Let’s chat if you’ve been holding out for the ultimate Bay Area estate that’s updated, accessible to all the great things about Berkeley, that’s spacious, and exudes historical significance.
Listed by Anian Tunney & Adrienne Tunney Krumins, Grubb Company
Buyer agent: Susan Wyshak DRE 02144226 | Compass
