Welcome to one of the most delightful blocks in Oakland! 6430 Colby, occupying a prime .15 acre site, boasts a walk score of 89 and is conveniently situated just a few minutes’ walk from College Avenue shopping and the Rockridge BART station, yet offers a tranquil residential setting.
This single level home was built in 1916 and exudes all the charm of the original Craftsman, maintaining plenty of period details while offering convenient contemporary updates. There is curb appeal galore, with a deep covered porch sheltering the impressively carved front door. The inviting foyer is lined with bookshelves and leads to the gracious living room. With wide windows overlooking the front garden, a high tiered ceiling, and warm wood paneling, this is a truly delightful room for entertaining or relaxing for a cozy evening by the fire. The focal point of the room is the fireplace with marble surround, flanked by bookshelves topped with original leaded glass doors. The small stained glass windows also date from the original construction. Gorgeous heavy wood French pocket doors open to the formal dining room. This room also retains built-ins with leaded glass doors dating from 1916. The current owner has added the book shelves lining the walls, but the windows along the southern wall are intact and could once again be exposed. At the heart of the home, the light-filled eat-in kitchen features a vaulted ceiling with skylight, crisp white counters, recessed lighting over the sink, and a Bosch dishwasher. The versatile floor plan currently has a second adjacent updated kitchen/utility room, with recessed lighting, large pantry storage, and newer LG washer and Bosch dryer. These two rooms could easily be incorporated into a large kitchen/family room if desired.
For a romantic getaway, head to your very own master bedroom suite! With an alcove of multi-paned windows framing the bed, a vaulted ceiling with recessed lighting and skylights, cozy sitting area, and French doors leading to the back yard, this peaceful retreat offers a welcome respite. The updated en suite bathroom features a high ceiling, tiled combination tub/shower, a greenhouse window, and built-in storage. Two additional spacious bedrooms both have warm wood paneling and ample closet space. The renovated hall bathroom has a large tiled shower with two shower heads and a vanity with granite countertop.
A bonus feature of the property is the detached studio in the rear. With a full kitchen and bathroom with shower, this versatile space has lots of potential. The serene back yard, with level lawn and mature plantings, affords a sunny space for play or relaxation. Additional features of the property include hardwood flooring throughout the main house (with the exception of the kitchens and bathrooms), two zone central heating, mostly dual pane windows, extensive attic storage with pull-down ladder in hallway, sewer compliant, long driveway to accommodate multiple cars off-street.
This very special legacy property offers the opportunity to live in a gorgeous vintage home on a prime block. At 6430 Colby, you are truly at the heart of where you want to live – with everything from Noah’s Bagels, La Farine boulangerie, and Philz Coffee to Safeway just blocks away. And yet, turn the corner onto your quiet residential block framed by mature trees, and you will be greeted by friendly neighbors who proclaim this to be the “best block” in Oakland. If you are fortunate enough to claim 6430 Colby as home, you will probably agree!
