Sold: 57 Benton Avenue

The Emerald Jewel of St. Mary’s Park

In the early 1920s, Archbishop Riordon realized that the 60 acres the dioceses had purchased from Jesus Bernal in 1862 for $1600 was a goldmine and authorized the subdivision of St. Mary’s Park.  Landscape architect Mark Daniels laid the streets out in the shape of a bell in an homage to the historal usage as a Catholic college campus. 

The homes were built in a consistent Spanish-Medeterranean style with nods to the California bungalow and craftsman movements.  They feature spacious five and six room floorplans with breakfast rooms, bay windows and beautiful fireplaces.  But none is finer than 57 Benton, which stands out from the surrounding homes with it’s sweeping emerald terrazzo staircase and height above the rare cul-de-sac location. 

The interior is brightly lit by windows on every side.  The south sun shines in the kitchen and breakfast room all day as well as into the pantry with it’s comfortable staircase down to the lower level.

The current owners remodeled thoughtfully in 2021.  From the gracious entry, with it’s Capiz light fixture and large closet, to the very garden door at the rear of the home, this house is full of thoughtful touches.  The large living room is anchored by a stunning fireplace and flows to the formal dining room.  The adjacent well laid out kitchen features a fireclay farmhouse sink, quartz counters, classic painted cabinetry, Bosch appliances, gleaming subway tile backsplash and a large dining area.  The opening between the kitchen and the dining room itself was widened to create welcome openness and bring more light into the center of the home.  The upstairs bath features a large step in shower as well as a newly refinished tub, striking wallpaper and designer vanity.  Both bedrooms on the top level feature bay windows and are exceptionally large.  At the bottom of the interior stairs, there is a 2^ndentry hall from which you can access the garage, the laundry room or the large primary suite at the rear of the lower level.  In addition to the laundry room, the lower level features a front bedroom, a primary bedroom with sitting room and den/office and a 2^nd full bath.  The bath features a step in shower with zen-style stone floor and floating vanity.

The sitting room offers direct access to what may be the best feature of the home – its sheltered, sunny back garden, where many veggies, flowers and great times have joyously flourished. 

So iconic is this home that famous artist Robert Bechtle painted it in his “Frisco Nova” piece. The painting is currently being exhibited at SFO in terminal 3 under the title “San Francisco Nova.”

Located in convenient south Bernal, 57 Benton is close to St. Mary’s rec center and it’s playground, a quick jaunt to one of SF’s best grocery stores on Cortland, convenient coffee and delectable eats (lots of Salvadoran food – YUM!) on Mission or slightly further to the cozy delights of Glen Park and it’s BART station, this home offers all the convenience of the city, the romantic comfort of the past and the space to spread out and enjoy!