London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

A Beautifully Restored Midcentury in the Berkeley Hills

A Beautifully Restored Midcentury in the Berkeley Hills

Under the guidance of the home’s original architect, Tom Lowe, the current owners performed a 10-year renovation that includes a garage-turned-ADU.

Another slice of architectural history is up for grabs in the Bay Area. Dating back to 1975, the multilevel dwelling, originally designed by prolific architect Tom Lowe, sits nestled in the hills of Berkeley, California.



After acquiring the Berkeley home in 2011, current owners Kate and Casey McEachern renovated the space from top to bottom and even converted the garage into an ADU.

"This home adheres to the midcentury ethos of architecture blending with the environment," says Kate McEachern, who, along with her partner, Casey, purchased the property from the original owners in 2011. "We were stunned by the view of Claremont Canyon the first time we walked in."



The interior of the converted garage boasts matches the primary residence.

Throughout the last 10 years of ownership, the McEacherns have treated the residence to a thoughtful restoration-and even leaned on Tom Lowe for advice. "I reached out to him in 2017 and he surprised us by dropping by for an impromptu visit," says Kate. "We sat with Lowe for hours, probing him about the design process and why he made certain decisions."



"What makes the ADU special is that it is one of only about 20,000 Airbnb Plus homes globally," says Kate. The couple installed large horizontal windows to take advantage of the canyon views.



Patterned wallpaper adds vibrant color to the ADU’s otherwise all-white bathroom.

At three stories, the residence spreads across 2,314 square feet, and includes a garage that was converted into a turnkey ADU in 2015. "At the time, I was a senior designer for Airbnb Plus and our unit was certified as one of only about 20,000 Plus properties globally," states Kate. "The income from renting out the unit has covered the cost of our mortgage since the conversion, which allowed us to further invest in renovating and restoring the space."



A bold yellow door extends a warm welcome inside the main residence. "When we first visited the home, we were captivated by how well the forest-green exterior blended with the surrounding wooded environment," notes Kate.



The main entrance leads to the top floor, where a great room featuring an open floor plan awaits.

Drenched in natural light, the main residence offers an open floor plan, encompassed by extensive glazing which allows sweeping canyon views. Vaulted wood ceilings contrast with the surrounding white walls, creating an overall sense of openness and calm.



A textured tile wall elevates visual interest in the dining area, while a corner fireplace in the living room pays homage to the minimalism of the midcentury aesthetic.

"We wanted to preserve as many original details as possible to honor the architecture while modernizing the space," explains Kate. "We meticulously restored every inch of the home with period-specific details, like Concrete Collaborative terrazzo and Heath Ceramics tile." Other notable updates include a new roof, solar panels, and an electric vehicle charging station.



Another view of the living room showcases the home’s original post and beam construction.



A long terrace on the top floor extends the living spaces outdoors.

"For us, the architecture plus the location made it the perfect home," says Kate. "It's sited just a few minutes from Rockridge and Elmwood, but feels completely private and secluded with hiking trails at the end of the street." Keep scrolling to see more of the property, now listed for $1,399,000.



The galley kitchen comes with all new appliances, a ceramic backsplash, and plentiful storage.



An additional family room awaits off the kitchen-a space which can easily be converted into a breakfast nook or office area.



In total, the main residence features three bedrooms. The primary en suite presents a calming retreat, complete with ample closet space and a spa-like bath.



Another one of the bedrooms opens up to an additional terrace overlooking the landscape.



A view of the back facade highlights the home’s extensive glazing and outdoor space.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×