Almost brand new centenarian--2144 Encinal Ave, Alameda, CA
If you build enough additions, what's old can be new again. Today's once-tiny cottage at 2144 Encinal used to be an itty bitty house, but was expanded twice such that its actual square footage isn't displayed anywhere that I found. First the specs:
Public records: 1 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathrooms, 660 sqft, 7000-sqft lot
Listing: 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, ? sqft, $749,000, MLS(r) #40369591
FABULOUS ALMOST BRAND NEW 3 BED/2.5 BATH HOME [...] REMODELED AND EXPANDED WHILE RETAINING IT'S ORIGINAL HISTORIC CHARACTER. [...] LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT THROUGHOUT, HARDWOOD FLOORS, CROWN MOLDINGS [...](map)
The lot does appear to be huge, and all the additions have apparently been done with the right permits and historical society approval (pdf). The permit application describes the structure as follows:
The owner paid $412,000 for the original crackerbox in 2004:
I guess they must have been, since it's listed at $749,000. Never mind you can get Victorians for less than that, but I suppose Victorians aren't for everybody. Maybe they're way into Shaker-style minimalism.
Update 11/6/08: Hilariously, the price was dropped to $739,000 on 11/2 after over 6 weeks on the market.
In general, the exterior appearance of the cottage is modest.That's the understatement of the week. I fail to see any original charm (at least from the outside), which makes sense if only one third of the current structure is actually old, and while I applaud the owner and architect's preservation of an "old" look to the place, it's still pretty bleh.
The owner paid $412,000 for the original crackerbox in 2004:
Why they thought it would be a good idea to sink who knows how many tens of thousands of dollars into a full redo with matching addition, I have no idea. If they'd paid $100K for it, maybe, but $412,000 for what was a 628-sqft structure with a 1952 addition in the back? Were they really expecting to make their money back?Last sale and tax info
- Sold 07/21/2004: $412,000
- 2007 Property Tax: $5,846
I guess they must have been, since it's listed at $749,000. Never mind you can get Victorians for less than that, but I suppose Victorians aren't for everybody. Maybe they're way into Shaker-style minimalism.
Update 11/6/08: Hilariously, the price was dropped to $739,000 on 11/2 after over 6 weeks on the market.
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