171 Hill Rd
Berkeley, CA 94708
Berkeley Hills- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,801 sqft
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,801 sqft
Homes for sale near 171 Hill Rd
Apartments for Rent
Local Information
© Google
-- mins to
Description
This is truly a most unusual, one-of-a-kind contemporary property with breathtaking 6 county and 3 bridge views. In the North Berkeley hills, almost bordering Tilden Park, it is a commanding presence on its site, perched high above the street to take full advantage of the spectacular panorama of the San Francisco Bay.
Custom designed for the original owner, who was a professor of Native American Studies at U.C.Berkeley and who was a Choctaw and Chippewa Indian, this 3 story, 12 sided brown shingle structure reflects her ancestry. The living space (kitchen, dining and living room) is centered around a floor-to-ceiling free-standing fireplace, which rests on a circular stone base. This circular concept is mirrored in the vaulted ceiling, with exposed beams radiating out from the center.
Extensive use of natural materials, such as the beautiful Brazilian cherry wood floors, clear heart redwood trim, cherry cabinets, South African granite countertops, and natural slate around the hearth, make the room feel warm and inviting. Two sliding glass doors lead out to a redwood deck, perched high on the hill, where you and your guests can watch the ships sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, or on a clear day, see the Farralon Islands.
The circular structure allows all the rooms to have windows or doors out to a view. The live oak trees that wrap around the exterior, appearing to almost "hug" the structure, are trimmed in a most artful way, to allow "windows" to parts of the view, as well as enhancing the privacy. From the master bedroom, San Francisco is framed in one area and Mt. Tamalpais in all its colors looms in another.
At the street level is a 2 car carport, and then 32 steps lead up to the front porch which offers privacy and ensures an active lifestyle. At the first level is a bathroom with a stunning glass mosaic walk in shower, along with a guest bedroom with Brazilian cherry wood floors with a patio door to a small private deck made of heavy timber redwood. The interior stairway is lit by windows on 3 sides and leads up to the next level. Here is the master bedroom, another bedroom and a bathroom with a french door out to a rear private deck. This deck connects to a garden area at the rear of the structure.
The third level up is the Piece de Resistance, the living area, where the views are so expansive that one feels embraced by them. They are ever changing, depending upon the season, the time of day and the weather patterns.
Separated from the neighboring structures, the house is surrounded by over a dozen live oak trees, and an olive tree at the base. These trees, together with the boulders north and east of the house enhance the feeling of being part of the natural landscape. It is the ideal home for anyone that appreciates all that nature has to offer.
This home has enjoyed numerous upgrades in the last few years, including a 40 year composition shingle roof, a complete kitchen remodel, new Andersen double pane window and doors, a rebuild of the main decks, and much more. Pride of ownership is evident throughout the home.
Close to UC Berkeley, all the amenities of Tilden Park and Gourmet Ghetto, it is just a stones throw away from Lawrence Hall of Science, Strawberry Canyon Swim center and the Botanical Gardens.
Custom designed for the original owner, who was a professor of Native American Studies at U.C.Berkeley and who was a Choctaw and Chippewa Indian, this 3 story, 12 sided brown shingle structure reflects her ancestry. The living space (kitchen, dining and living room) is centered around a floor-to-ceiling free-standing fireplace, which rests on a circular stone base. This circular concept is mirrored in the vaulted ceiling, with exposed beams radiating out from the center.
Extensive use of natural materials, such as the beautiful Brazilian cherry wood floors, clear heart redwood trim, cherry cabinets, South African granite countertops, and natural slate around the hearth, make the room feel warm and inviting. Two sliding glass doors lead out to a redwood deck, perched high on the hill, where you and your guests can watch the ships sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, or on a clear day, see the Farralon Islands.
The circular structure allows all the rooms to have windows or doors out to a view. The live oak trees that wrap around the exterior, appearing to almost "hug" the structure, are trimmed in a most artful way, to allow "windows" to parts of the view, as well as enhancing the privacy. From the master bedroom, San Francisco is framed in one area and Mt. Tamalpais in all its colors looms in another.
At the street level is a 2 car carport, and then 32 steps lead up to the front porch which offers privacy and ensures an active lifestyle. At the first level is a bathroom with a stunning glass mosaic walk in shower, along with a guest bedroom with Brazilian cherry wood floors with a patio door to a small private deck made of heavy timber redwood. The interior stairway is lit by windows on 3 sides and leads up to the next level. Here is the master bedroom, another bedroom and a bathroom with a french door out to a rear private deck. This deck connects to a garden area at the rear of the structure.
The third level up is the Piece de Resistance, the living area, where the views are so expansive that one feels embraced by them. They are ever changing, depending upon the season, the time of day and the weather patterns.
Separated from the neighboring structures, the house is surrounded by over a dozen live oak trees, and an olive tree at the base. These trees, together with the boulders north and east of the house enhance the feeling of being part of the natural landscape. It is the ideal home for anyone that appreciates all that nature has to offer.
This home has enjoyed numerous upgrades in the last few years, including a 40 year composition shingle roof, a complete kitchen remodel, new Andersen double pane window and doors, a rebuild of the main decks, and much more. Pride of ownership is evident throughout the home.
Close to UC Berkeley, all the amenities of Tilden Park and Gourmet Ghetto, it is just a stones throw away from Lawrence Hall of Science, Strawberry Canyon Swim center and the Botanical Gardens.
This property is off market, which means it's not currently listed for sale or rent on Trulia. This may be different from what's available on other websites or public sources.
Home Highlights
Parking
No Info
Outdoor
Patio, Deck
A/C
Heating & Cooling
HOA
None
Price/Sqft
No Info
Listed
No Info
Home Details for 171 Hill Rd
|
|---|
Heating & Cooling Heating: Forced Air, GasAir ConditioningCooling System: CentralHeating Fuel: Forced Air |
Levels, Entrance, & Accessibility Stories: 3Floors: Tile, Carpet, Hardwood |
Interior Details Number of Rooms: 6Types of Rooms: Walk In Closet, Laundry Room |
Appliances & Utilities DishwasherDisposalDryerMicrowaveRefrigeratorWasher |
Fireplace & Spa Fireplace |
|
|---|
Exterior Home Features Roof: CompositionDeckExterior: ShinglePatioSprinkler System |
Parking & Garage Parking: Carport |
|
|---|
Year Built Year Built: 1979Year Updated: 1979 |
Property Type / Style Property Type: Single Family HomeArchitecture: Contemporary |
|
|---|
Units in Building: 1 |
|
|---|
Lot Area: 5183 sqft |
Price History for 171 Hill Rd
| Date | Price | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/02/2007 | $885,000 | Sold | N/A |
| 11/26/1996 | $270,000 | Sold | N/A |
Property Tax and Assessment
| Year | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Tax | |
| Assessment | $1,196,043 |
Home facts updated by county records
Comparable Sales for 171 Hill Rd
Address | Distance | Property Type | Sold Price | Sold Date | Bed | Bath | Sqft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.15 | Single-Family Home | $1,216,000 | 02/26/26 | 3 | 2 | 1,823 | |
0.11 | Single-Family Home | $860,000 | 02/11/26 | 2 | 2 | 1,587 | |
0.19 | Single-Family Home | $1,288,000 | 02/05/26 | 3 | 2 | 1,902 | |
0.06 | Single-Family Home | $1,280,000 | 12/02/25 | 2 | 2 | 1,256 | |
0.13 | Single-Family Home | $1,349,000 | 06/13/25 | 3 | 3 | 2,131 | |
0.16 | Single-Family Home | $1,150,000 | 06/03/25 | 3 | 2.5 | 1,582 | |
0.10 | Single-Family Home | $1,300,000 | 06/17/25 | 4 | 2.5 | 2,146 | |
0.26 | Single-Family Home | $1,550,000 | 07/14/25 | 3 | 2 | 1,691 | |
0.30 | Single-Family Home | $1,250,000 | 10/23/25 | 3 | 2 | 1,248 | |
0.44 | Single-Family Home | $1,200,000 | 11/14/25 | 3 | 2 | 1,734 |
Assigned Schools
These are the assigned schools for 171 Hill Rd.
What Locals Say about Berkeley Hills
At least 58 Trulia users voted on each feature.
94 % Say it's dog friendly
83 % Say there's wildlife
77 % Say people would walk alone at night
73 % Say parking is easy
69 % Say there are sidewalks
67 % Say it's quiet
65 % Say it's walkable to restaurants
65 % Say neighbors are friendly
62 % Say it's walkable to grocery stores
62 % Say yards are well-kept
62 % Say car is needed
62 % Say they plan to stay for at least 5 years
59 % Say there's holiday spirit
50 % Say kids play outside
45 % Say streets are well-lit
42 % Say there are community events
Learn more about our methodology.
LGBTQ Local Legal Protections
LGBTQ Local Legal Protections
Homes for rent near 171 Hill Rd
Off Market Homes Near 171 Hill Rd
Explore by feature
171 Hill Rd, Berkeley, CA 94708 is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,801 sqft single-family home built in 1979. 171 Hill Rd is located in Berkeley Hills, Berkeley. This property is not currently available for sale. 171 Hill Rd was last sold on Nov 2, 2007 for $885,000. The current Trulia Estimate for 171 Hill Rd is $1,615,200.

