New UC Chief Tunes In and Opts for a Downsize
Mark Yudof (right), who is scheduled to start in his new job as president of UC California next month, has decided to turn down the 13,000 sq ft home which comes with the post and instead live in a 6,800 sq ft house somewhere in Oakland. Money clearly isn’t the issue — the university will be paying the $11,000+ a month it will cost for Yudof and his wife to live in his chosen home and the 63-year old former head of the University of Texas will reportedly earn in the region of $925,000.
So, are we to surmise that this is someone in tune with the zeitgeist? Someone who believes in “living small” — as modestly and sustainably as possible? Probably not, as there’s nothing particularly modest about nearly 7,000 sq ft. Also, it appears the 1920s Blake House in north Berkeley Kensington which has traditionally been used as the presidential residence, is in need of $9 million worth of repairs. The fact that it sits on an active geologic slide doesn’t help.
Still, inspired by the thought of these capacious domiciles, I bring you today three “space-no-object” homes in which you could hold your head up high in elevated academic circles:
109 King Avenue, Piedmont: 6/6 custom-built 6,448 sq ft 1950s home (pictured below) with high ceilings, hardwood floors, walls of windows and large pool. Price: $4,000,000.
5616 La Salle Avenue, Oakland: contemporary 5/5.5, 6,113 sq ft traditional with “dramatic ceilings”, multiple terraces and media room. Price: $3,100,000.
160 Colgett Drive, Oakland: 4/4, 6,191 sq ft Mediterranean home with “grand open spaces”, two-story atrium, hand plastered walls, walkout terraces, views and home theater. Price: $2,295,000.
[Pic credit of Mark Yudof: berkeley.edu/.../2008/04/02_yudof.shtml]
