Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association

08/20/2026

AT BUENA VISTA AND LA LOMA.
The Mathewson Studio House at the corner of Buena Vista Way and La Loma Avenue was designed by Bernard Maybeck in 1915. When the 1923 Fire came through, it devoured the Maybeck family home across the street on the uphill side, but left the Mathewson House intact.

Maybeck designed the Maybeck "Bubblestone Sack" Studio on the site of the burned house. It is renowned for its unusual experimental construction using burlap sacks drenched in aerated concrete and hung shingle-fashion on the frame of the house.

Photos and commentary: Anthony Bruce, 2026

07/17/2026

As many of you know, BAHA has a new website (https://berkeleyheritage.com/). We also have a blog and if you sign up, you can get notifications when BAHA posts something new. We are aiming for 2-4 postings/month. You can sign up here: https://berkeleyheritage.com/news/

BAHA News Historic Elmwood District voted down by Landmarks Preservation Commission (This blog was supposed to be sent out towards the end of June but the LPC did not post the minutes for the June 4th Read More »

07/04/2026

New Course Offered on Frank Lloyd Wright!

"Frank Lloyd Wright's West Coast Architecture"
Taught by long-time BAHA member Mark A. Wilson

Thursdays, July 16 to August 20, 2026
6:30 to 8:30 pm
West Contra Costa Adult School

Fee: $110 for the course.

This course will cover the architecture and colorful client stories of the dozens of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in California, Oregon, and Washington, including: the Buehler House in Orinda, Walker House in Carmel, and the Marin County Courthouse, used in several movies and music videos. Information will be provided on which Wright buildings are open to the public. Instructor is the author of Frank Lloyd Wright on the West Coast.

This class will include a detailed description of the design, original furnishings, and story behind the building of the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Berkeley, the Joseph Feldman House.

Follow this link for more information and to register:
https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4217 =2973050

06/20/2026

A different view of the Elmwood business district: Russell Street east of College Avenue.
The Dondero Building was designed by John Sullivan and completed in 1913. It was the first commercial building on that block, and the building originally was ornamented. The building owner, John Faust Dondero, was an advocate for the blind, himself being blind since age sixteen.
A popular bakery is in the dark blue section. That section of the building had been home to the Elmwood Station of the United States Post Office from 1937 to 1948 when a new post office was built on Webster near College.

Photo and commentary: Anthony Bruce

06/15/2026

This summer, HistoriCorps, along with volunteer workforces, will head to the Stanislaus National Forest to gather critical data essential to future preservation of the forest. They will have eight week-long volunteer sessions between June 21 - August 28. They are recruiting volunteers and want to get the word out about their historic preservation efforts.
You can find more information about the organization on the HistoriCorps website (https://historicorps.org/2026-volunteer-opportunities/), as well as more information about the volunteer opportunity on this webpage.

06/06/2026

DISMAL LANDMARKING OUTCOME.
College Avenue between Russell and Webster looked a bit dejected today, and no wonder.

In case you have not yet heard, the College Avenue Business District (formerly known as the “Elmwood") lost being designated a City of Berkeley Historic District by a five to four vote at the Landmarks Preservation Commission last night.

City Staff had hired an outside professional to review the 400-page application which included 34 properties within the boundaries of the proposed district. The consultant stated that the district met the criteria spelled out in the Landmarks Ordinance, and also recommended narrowing the borders of the district a bit. The public hearing opened at the May meeting and concluded at the June meeting yesterday. Both times the room was packed with supporters of the landmarking, and many, many people spoke in favor of the historic district designation.

I have always believed that this two-block commercial district fit perfectly the definition of a historic district, and I was disappointed, to say the least, that the commissioners did not agree with the arguments put forth.

Note: You can now subscribe to the new BAHA Blog for all the latest news from BAHA. You can click on the following link: https://berkeleyheritage.com/news/ and add your email to the "BAHA E-News Signup" box. You will get a verification email and you will be signed up!

Photo and commentary: Anthony Bruce, June 5, 2026

05/22/2026

BAHA held its 51st Annual Membership Meeting and Dinner this evening at the beautifully restored Hillside Club. Aside from the business meeting and election of the Board of Directors, the program included two speakers.
John Caner of the Downtown Berkeley Association spoke about Old City Hall and the efforts to preserve and restore it
Paul Chapman, former Head Master of the Anna Head School spoke about the three historic endangered buildings on the site. Both speakers were very well received.
Those who ordered dinner enjoyed a buffet meal by Mediterraneo Catering.

05/10/2026

A DOWNTOWN BANK.
This view is of the southwest corner of Shattuck and University avenues. The building is a 1964 remodel for San Francisco Federal Savings & Loan of a 1927 Bank of America. The building had been similar to the Bank of America at Durant and Telegraph, designed by the same architect, W. A. Minton.
The present building, with its grand styling, would be at home on Rodeo Drive.

Photo: Anthony Bruce, 2023.

05/07/2026

BEFORE & AFTER IN THE ELMWOOD.
"Ozzie's" in 1982 and 2025.
The building was designed and built by John A. Bischoff in 1922. The oak-paneled drug store was there from the start until 1988. Ozzie's soda fountain counter remains as part of the interior of Baker & Common.

05/05/2026

BEFORE & AFTER.
The Elmwood in March 1969 and in 2020.
Taken from Webster and College looking north.