2484 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley
768 SQFT ~ 1 BR, 1 BA + a LOFT
Built in 1917 ~ Redeveloped in 2001
Offered At $518,000
SOLD! Call Sarah for more details!
Thoughtfully Crafted Berkeley Condo
Where Art meets Architecture!
We welcome you to experience this thoughtfully designed condo located in a small award-winning 9-unit community that seamlessly blends creativity, sustainability, and one-of-a-kind design.
Enter through the pedestrian gate adorned with salvaged street signs, pass the convenient dedicated bike storage, and step into this private residence featuring soaring 13-foot ceilings. Original Douglas fir floors and pillars anchor the space with warmth and character, complemented by custom woodwork and a striking wall of vintage Danish teak shelving beautifully repurposed and arranged.
A welcoming chef’s kitchen spans the rear wall, intentionally designed with tall south-facing windows flooding the space with natural light. The custom kitchen features solid maple cabinet doors and unique countertops with a vibrant mix of red, orange, and yellow recycled glass sourced from traffic lights.
A handcrafted Douglas Fir dividing wall was custom-built from materials repurposed during the building’s redevelopment, offering impeccable form and function. With flush-fit hinges, the 9-foot door opens to reveal an artistically designed bathroom, while a sliding barn door leads to the spacious bedroom beyond. A Douglas Fir ladder is perfectly positioned between the two, providing easy access to the loft above. The oversized flush-hinged door opens into the uniquely faceted, geometric, hand-troweled bathroom, complete with a custom cabinet, a whimsically crafted sink, and spa-inspired Vermont green slate tile finishes.
In-unit laundry and a flexible layout make the space as functional as it is beautiful. In the evening, curated orb lighting adds warmth and ambiance, enhancing the richness of the preserved wood details. This condo also comes with a very spacious exterior private storage space, which could hold a fleet of bikes, kayaks, and a wide variety of items or special projects.
This is the first time this unit has been on the market since its condo conversion and redevelopment in 2001. It's an exceptional opportunity within a signature project by award-winning architects, Leger Wanaselja Architecture, who reimagined and built this forward-thinking, low-energy footprint development and a solar-powered unit.
The property offers a peaceful, tucked-away setting with artistic touches that foster a true sense of community. Dual-paned windows and insulated walls provide a quiet interior within close proximity to everything Berkeley has to offer. With a Bike Score of 94 and a Walk Score of 87, the location is both highly accessible and convenient. Close to UC Berkeley campus, BART, and a vibrant mix of shops and restaurants.
The complex was designed and built with a deep commitment to environmental responsibility. The project incorporates reclaimed and recycled materials, energy-efficient construction that exceeded standards at the time, low-toxic finishes, and water-conscious landscaping.
Rarely does a space like this come to market! 2484 Martin Luther King Way offers architectural significance, sustainable design, and a truly inspiring atmosphere. Please reach out with any questions!
Sustainably Designed with Solar Power and Reclaimed Materials
Award Winning 9-Unit Boutique Community
Soaring 13 Foot Ceilings
Wall Featuring Vintage Danish Teak Shelving
Chef’s Kitchen With Maple Cabinets and Recycled Traffic Light Counters
Flexible Layout And Loft Space
Artistically Designed Bathroom with Vermont Green Slate
Great Natural Light
Original Douglas Fir Floors and Beams
Energy Efficient Construction
Peaceful, Tucked Away Setting
Spacious Exterior Deeded Storage
Close to UC Berkeley, BART, Shops and Restaurants
Bike Score of 94 and Walk Score of 87
First Time on the Market Since the 2001 Condo Conversion / Redevelopment
About the Complex & The Architects
Here are the awards the project won when it was finished:
Build it Green, Best Small Multi-Family Development, 2005
S.F.AIA "Best of the Bay" Award for Green Design, 2005
Acterra "Business Environmental Award" for Sustainable Built Environment, 2005
Built originally as a corner grocery store with apartments above, in 2001 this lot was completely reimagined by UC Berkeley alums and award-winning local “green” architects, Karl Wanaselja and Cate Leger (Leger Wanaselja Architecture). The existing building was redeveloped and a new building was added with an environmentally sensitive focus. The project transformed this site into an artistic one-of-a-kind “green” showcase. Karl & Cate used time-tested methods to minimize energy use and relied heavily on salvaged, recycled, and low-toxic finishes. Thoughtful passive design strategies such as excellent insulation, careful window placement, and siting for passive solar benefit, were the most important strategies used to minimize energy consumption.
When built, they were able to achieve a 280% improvement in energy use in the existing building. The new building was almost twice as energy efficient as required by the state energy code at the time. The developer’s heavy reliance on salvaged and recycled materials saved tremendous amounts of manufacturing energy and reduced overall environmental impacts. Just three measures saved as much energy as the two buildings will use in a year: Using blown-in cellulose insulation (made from old telephone books and newspapers) instead of fiberglass, Substituting 50% of the cement in the concrete with fly ash (a by-product of coal burning), and leaving the aluminum siding on the existing building instead of replacing it with wood or stucco.
Other measures also contributing significantly to reducing overall environmental impact:
· Reused car parts for awnings, railings, gates, shelves, parking bumpers, and lighting.
· Reused 3 1/2 tons of street signs for siding, eaves, gates, light shades, and railings.
· Insulated floor slabs with thermal break at edges.
· Thousands of board feet of salvaged wood reused for doors, siding, trim, and walls.
· FSC certified, sustainably harvested 2 x 6 framing lumber.
· Recycle traffic light counters.
· Non-VOC paints and woodwork finished with natural oils.
· Photovoltaic panels.
· Non-toxic permeable gravel paving instead of asphalt to retain rainwater on site.
· Native and drought-tolerant plants, eliminating the need for an irrigation system.
· Bicycle parking area.
· Rehabilitation of existing buildings and infilling within the city reduces pressure to build in and commute from greenbelt areas outside the city.
Want More Information?
CALL us for additional information or to schedule a private showing!
Sarah Schisler
(510) 390-1330
