You won’t believe the opportunity that awaits you in Lafayette’s coveted Upper Happy Valley.
An ideal .62-acre sanctuary for multigenerational living, a family compound or anyone who desires an exclusive retreat tucked along a private lane rarely comes on the market and includes two homes built side by side, each with charming single-story floor plans and enchanting gardens that burst with seasonal color.
Longtime educator Jane Pettit has called 3963 Franke Lane her home for six decades.
Inspiring her passion for teaching in almost all the Orinda schools, Pettit tended to the gardens as she tended to her beloved students and spoke lovingly about the custom grafted roses, picking pears along the lane, and helping to decorate the quiet enclave of eight homes for many holidays.
She said she designed the gardens to reflect a casual elegance filled with seasonal flowers, soft textures, boxwood hedges and the scent of fragrant lilacs.
About 1,815 square feet of living space is featured at 3963 Franke with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. The adjacent home at 3959 Franke features about 1,335 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. Updates throughout the years have retained the integrity of the architecture and classic features such as built-in cabinetry, millwork, French doors, plaster walls, hardwood flooring and wood-burning fireplaces.
A steward of the homes’ rich legacies, Pettit has lovingly maintained the property, resetting the brick walkways and remodeling both kitchens including one with a breakfast bar that takes advantage of the west-facing view. At the same time, window awnings at 3963 add to its cottage appeal.
Lafayette’s Upper Happy Valley Road neighborhood has long been the destination for those seeking an exclusive East Bay address. Conveniently located within about 20 miles of downtown San Francisco, the large estate properties in this area enjoy a peaceful rural setting yet are just moments from Lafayette’s charming downtown shopping district filled with boutiques, restaurants, cafes and markets.
Relish the easy access to Highway 24 and the BART stations in Lafayette and Orinda. Top-rated schools in the Lafayette and Acalanes school districts are also nearby, as are the popular Lafayette Reservoir, the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, and other outdoor recreation opportunities at the nearby Lafayette Reservoir and Briones and Tilden regional parks.
Price: $2,695,000Where: 3963-3959 Franke Lane, LafayetteWebsite: www.FrankeLane.com Call agent for private showing.Listing agent: Golden Gate Sotheby’s International. Ann Newton Cane. DRE#02084093. (415) 999-0253 a.newtoncane@ggsir.com Annnewtoncane.com
