Prominently sited on Buena Vista Way, the Hume Cloister is a Berkeley treasure, steeped in history and architectural splendor. This Gothic Revival estate, designed in 1927 by John Hudson Thomas for Samuel & Portia Bell Hume, evokes a 13th-century French monastery. Samuel, a UC Berkeley professor & curator, and Portia, a pioneering psychiatrist, envisioned a sanctuary of creativity & reflection. Set on over 2/3 of an acre, the estate offers panoramic SF Bay views w/ the Golden Gate Bridge perfectly framed off the terrace. At its heart lies a serene cloister courtyard lined w/ arched colonnades, featuring a stone wishing well. Extensively restored over the last 7yrs, it offers the comfort of modern amenities while preserving exquisite historic details. The living room w/ 25’ ceilings features a large fireplace & mezzanine library w/ office overlooking the Bay. Kitchen includes Wolf range, Sub-Zero refrigerator & custom millwork. The landscaped grounds include a koi pond, bocce court, greenhouse, garden beds, redwood grove, and a hot tub deck off primary suite. An attached guest house offers full accommodations, including a modern kitchen, laundry, BR & LR. More than a home, the Hume Cloister is a rare blend of history, design & soul, a timeless retreat ready for its next chapter.
Sold for $7,325,000 on 07/28/25
$7,325,000
2900 Buena Vista Way, Berkeley, CA 94708
6beds
7,526sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1929
0.71 Acres Lot
$7,322,600 Zestimate®
$973/sqft
$6,118 Estimated rent
What's special
Zillow last checked: 7 hours ago
Listing updated: July 28, 2025 at 10:44am
Listed by:
Adrienne Tunney Krumins DRE #01296734 510-928-4521,
The GRUBB Company,
Anian Tunney DRE #00812754,
The GRUBB Company
Bought with:
Merritt Oliver, DRE #01241788
Red Oak Realty
Source: bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR,MLS#: 41100592

Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 6
- Bathrooms: 8
- Full bathrooms: 7
- 1/2 bathrooms: 1
Kitchen
- Features: Breakfast Bar, Stone Counters, Dishwasher, Double Oven, Eat-in Kitchen, Gas Range/Cooktop, Microwave, Pantry, Range/Oven Free Standing, Refrigerator, Skylight(s), Updated Kitchen, Other
Heating
- Zoned
Cooling
- Central Air
Appliances
- Included: Dishwasher, Double Oven, Gas Range, Microwave, Free-Standing Range, Refrigerator, Dryer, Washer
- Laundry: Dryer, Laundry Room, Washer, Sink
Features
- Breakfast Bar, Pantry, Updated Kitchen
- Flooring: Tile
- Windows: Skylight(s)
- Basement: Partial
- Number of fireplaces: 2
- Fireplace features: Dining Room, Living Room
Interior area
- Total structure area: 7,526
- Total interior livable area: 7,526 sqft
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 7
- Parking features: Attached, Parking Lot, Private
- Garage spaces: 2
Features
- Levels: Three or More Stories
- Exterior features: Garden, Garden/Play, Side Yard, Sprinklers Automatic, Other, Entry Gate, Private Entrance, See Remarks
- Pool features: None
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Bay, Bay Bridge, City Lights, Downtown, Golden Gate Bridge, Hills, Panoramic, San Francisco, Water, Bridge(s), City, Mt Tamalpais
- Has water view: Yes
- Water view: Bay,Bay Bridge,Golden Gate Bridge,Water
- Waterfront features: Pond
Lot
- Size: 0.71 Acres
- Features: Premium Lot, Secluded, Other, Landscaped, Private
Details
- Additional structures: Shed(s)
- Parcel number: 582242671
- Special conditions: Standard
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Other,See Remarks
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Concrete
Condition
- Existing
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1929
Details
- Builder name: John H Thomas
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: No Solar
Community & neighborhood
Location
- Region: Berkeley
Other
Other facts
- Listing terms: Conventional
Services availability
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Estimated market value
$7,322,600
Get a cash offer in 3 minutes
Find out how much your home could sell for in as little as 3 minutes with a no-obligation cash offer.
Estimated market value
$7,322,600