A Midcentury Gem Dubbed the “House of Balconies” Lists for the First Time in 60 Years

Designed by Robert Klemmedson, the $2.78M East Bay home comes with vaulted ceilings, walls of glass, and decks for days.
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Location: 1064 Via Alta, Lafayette, California

Price: $2,785,000

Architect: Robert Klemmedson

Year Built: 1959

Lot Size: 0.53 acres 

Footprint: 3,170 square feet (five bedrooms, three baths) 

From the Agent: "This quintessential Mad Men–era masterpiece has been carefully restored to its modernist glory and is hitting the market for the first time in 60 years. Hailed as ‘The House of Balconies’ by the San Francisco Examiner when it was built, the home features soaring  ceilings and expansive walls of floor-to-ceiling windows that frame dramatic views of Mt. Diablo and vineyards dotting distant Lafayette hillsides. Klemmedson married indoor and outdoor spaces by extending a limestone wall from the Zen-like entryway into the living room’s stunning floor-to-ceiling stone wall and out again toward the backyard pool."

A wide, paved drive leads to the home’s entry, where a bright orange door extends a cheerful welcome. Mature oak, pine, and bay trees encompass the private half-acre lot.

A wide, paved drive leads to the home’s entry, where a bright orange door extends a cheerful welcome. Mature oak, pine, and bay trees encompass the private half-acre lot.

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Many of the home’s original details have bene preserved, including the stonework, slate floors with radiant heat, and mahogany paneled walls.

Many of the home’s original details have bene preserved, including the stonework, slate floors with radiant heat, and mahogany paneled walls.

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In addition to high-end appliances and custom cabinetry, the kitchen offers direct outdoor access thanks to sliding-glass doors and a large pass-through window.

In addition to high-end appliances and custom cabinetry, the kitchen offers direct outdoor access thanks to sliding-glass doors and a large pass-through window.

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Complete with bar seating and a fire pit, the side patio adjacent to the kitchen is well suited for alfresco dining and entertaining.

Complete with bar seating and a fire pit, the side patio adjacent to the kitchen is well suited for alfresco dining and entertaining.

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The serene primary suite features a private redwood deck that leads down to the pool.

The serene primary suite features a private redwood deck that leads down to the pool.

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A closer look at the sparkling pool awaiting in the backyard.

A closer look at the sparkling pool awaiting in the backyard.

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