Sold: 220 San Jose Avenue

220 San Jose Avenue is a very rare 1871 Italianate mansion on an oversized lot ready for life today. Visiting it is transporting. Living here is better. Just seeing it might stretch your imagination of what city life can be: think expansive, pastoral and social.

From the crown moldings to the baseboards, 220 San Jose is a magnificently conceived and preserved home. The external expression of the Italianate style can be seen in the way that wood has been used to imitate stone, the exceptionally tall windows and the inviting portico-style entry way. On the interior, the ceiling heights are lofty and the rooms are grand. It is classified by the City of San Francisco as being historic register eligible both as an individual property and as part of the Horner’s Addition East Historic District.

Exit the urban environment by walking through the front garden gate and up just nine steps. Upon entry through the front double doors, you are greeted by the sweeping well-polished bannister that leads upstairs and the view down the hall and through the dining room and kitchen to the sun-drenched back garden. On your left are two large adjoining entertaining rooms, both with marble fireplaces. The second of these rooms can also be used a guest or 5th bedroom due to the conveniently located full bath hidden under the staircase. Past these two rooms is a dramatic dining room the full width of the home (also with fireplace). This in turn flows to a tastefully remodeled kitchen with hip open shelving, Mexican tile details and a Wolf range. The kitchen spills out to a wide dining deck and one small step down takes you into one of the biggest rear gardens in the city.

In addition to the public rooms, the ground level features a master suite with its own entrance to the garden. Other bedrooms are located upstairs at the top of the graceful staircase off a large hall. The 2nd master bedroom at the front of the home has a marble fireplace, exceptionally large closet and three tall windows that flood it with light. The adjacent bath (#3) has a claw foot soaking tub and handmade Italian tile floors. Upstairs there are two further bedrooms, a 4th bath and a convenient laundry closet. The middle bedroom has built in shelving and drawers perfect for an office or kids’ room as well as a fireplace. The rear bedroom has bright west facing windows and could easily be joined with the 4th bathroom to create an additional master suite. The 4th bath at the rear of the top level, has light-magnifying glass brick, a step-in shower and a handmade Italian tile floor. Completing the home are a large attic for expansion or storage and a two car garage built in 2015.