Stunning Custom Home in Westside Alamo Presented
Khrista Jarvis Diebner
cover home
CUSTOM SOPHISTICATION IN COVETED WESTSIDE ALAMO
45 LARK PLACE, ALAMO
5 Bed | 5.5 Bath | 5,723 Sqft. | 0.65 Acre Lot | Pool + Spa | Cabana | Outdoor Kitchen
$5,290,000
Situated on one of the most sought-after streets in Westside Alamo, this custom home by Branagh Development seamlessly blends elegant design with modern updates. Key features include travertine & hardwood floors, intricate millwork & crown molding throughout. Formal living room, dining room, wine cellar and butler’s pantry. Recently remodeled in 2025, the impressive kitchen showcases top-of-the-line appliances, island with new quartz countertops, walk-in pantry & dining area that overlooks the tranquil backyard. The main level includes a private guest bed suite. Upstairs, a luxurious primary suite boasts a fireplace & newly remodeled spa-like bath. Plus, two secondary bedrooms & bonus room. Resort-style exterior including a pool cabana with full bath & outdoor kitchen. Conveniently located near Iron Horse Trail & downtown Danville & Alamo with award winning schools.
THE KHRISTA JARVIS TEAM
Joujou Chawla has quietly sold
buyers seek
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Architectural Excellence and Luxury in Berkeley
This stunning home, on a rare ½+ acre lot in Berkeley’s Lower Claremont hills, was conceived and built by a noted landscape architect/urban planner and his wife. The home, 8,500 square feet in all, commands stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. Enter into a two-story grand foyer. To the left is the large living room, with a 20-foot peaked ceiling and distinctive red oak hardwoods with inlay. The room is certain to be the center of social gatherings large and small. French doors lead to a balcony with bridge and bay views. More French doors lead outside, with views of climbing roses and other curated flowers in every direction. Dine in the adjacent formal dining room, or casually in the open-floorplan kitchen overlooking the pool. The first of the home’s two family rooms adjoins the kitchen, and an elite speaker system provides one’s selection of music. French doors everywhere provide garden and pool access, ensuring indoor-outdoor living opportunities at every turn.
Living
What’s Hot in the 2025 San Francisco East Bay Luxury Real Estate Market
BY LUXURY HOME MAGAZINE | SAN FRANCISCO EAST BAY EDITION
IF YOU’RE ONE OF THE 60,000 San Francisco East Bay luxury Home Magazine readers and followers flipping through these pages with a cappuccino in hand and views of the hills or Bay behind you — first, you are the lucky ones. Second, you’re probably looking to find out: What’s trending in the high-end home market right now? Whether you’re planning to buy, sell, upgrade, or simply want to stay in the loop, we’ve got the insider scoop on what today’s luxury buyers are chasing — and how the San Francisco East Bay’s finest real estate professionals (right here in our magazine) are helping you find and deliver the perfect home for you.
So, pour another espresso. Here’s what’s hot in San Francisco East Bay luxury living.
1. SPACE, PRIVACY & GATED GRANDEUR
The luxury buyer of 2025 wants space — and lots of it. Think gated estates tucked into Alamo, sprawling retreats in Orinda, or hilltop homes with private drives in Lafayette. More land, fewer neighbors, and outdoor sanctuaries are driving demand. Bonus points for mature trees, infinity-edge pools, and just enough seclusion to feel like Napa, without the drive.
2. “TURNKEY” IS THE NEW BLACK
Renovations? No thank you. Today’s buyers want homes that are ready to entertain the moment the keys hit their hand. Clean, modern lines, open layouts, and updated kitchens are king. From sleek contemporary builds to modern farmhouses, move-in-ready is a must — and the agents in this magazine with their team, and network of professionals, interior decorators, architects and many more can prep your house to stand out, sell quickly and at a higher value.
3. OUTDOOR LIVING, CALIFORNIA-STYLE
Luxury living no longer stops at the back door. We’re talking resortgrade outdoor spaces: outdoor kitchens, fire tables, putting greens, bocce courts, pickleball and saltwater pools. The kind of spaces where a glass of Pinot, an outdoor speaker system, and sunset views do all the work.
4. SMART, GREEN, AND GORGEOUS
Want to impress today’s buyers? Show them a house that’s smarter than they are. From full-home automation to Tesla chargers, solar panels, and backup batteries, luxury now includes convenience and conscience. If your home isn’t there yet, no problem — several real estate agents featured here specialize in helping sellers make just the right updates and can get you connected.
5. LOCK-AND-LEAVE LUXURY
Not everyone wants a mansion. Some want sleek, secure, and stunning — with the freedom to jet off to Aspen or Paris. That’s why high-end condos and low-maintenance townhomes near downtown Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Danville and Orinda are gaining serious traction.
6.
MULTI-GEN & WORK-FROM-WHEREVER
The San Francisco East Bay Area is redefining “family home.” Today’s estates are evolving with guest suites, ADUs, and dual offices (hello, Zoom and Peloton). Whether it’s boomerang kids or aging parents, flexibility is gold — and our featured agents can find you these gems before they come on market.
7. SMART SELLERS, SAVVY BUYERS
Yes, buyers are out there. But they’re smart, selective, and valuedriven. That means pricing matters, presentation matters more, and who you hire to list your home. Everything. The agents showcased in this issue are at the top of their game — staging pros, negotiation ninjas, and masters of telling a home’s story with a network you are sure to get the best value in an ever-changing market.
8. LOCATION STILL WINS
Classic neighborhoods throughout the East Bay Area are holding strong, with buyers still prioritizing great schools, charming downtowns, and easy BART access. Make no mistake — if your home offers lifestyle, luxury, and a little wow factor, it will get noticed.
YOUR NEXT MOVE STARTS HERE
If you’re thinking of selling — now or later — consider this your nudge. The market is active, luxury buyers are watching, and first impressions sell homes. Your fellow readers (and future buyers) are flipping through these pages too, looking for their next dream property… or the agent who can help them find it.
So if you’re curious what your home might be worth — or how to turn “almost there” into “market ready” — give one of Luxury Home Magazine top agents in this issue a call, they’ll be happy to meet and consult with you. Trust us, your future self (and your property value) will thank you.
Luxury Home Magazine is proud to showcase the finest homes and the best agents in the San Francisco East Bay Area. Want to join them in the next issue? Reach out to our team — we’d love to feature you, your property or businesses that support the luxury real estate market and homeowners as they remodel, improve, build and upgrade their homes to the latest trends of 2025.
SIGNIFICANT LUXURY SALES
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Marilee Headen
Karlyn Hunt
925.876.7089 karlyn@karlynhunt.com DRE 01456375 Jim Walberg
925.260.8800
jim@jimwalberg.com DRE 01119801 Ann Marie Nugent 925.260.8883
annmarie@annmarienugent.com DRE 01230832
we love what each day brings: a new client, a new property, a new life circumstance. And we value each opportunity to help someone find their dream home or sell their long-time property to achieve something greater in life. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience that we never take for granted.
If you want someone to have your best interest at heart then Sante is your broker! He guided us every step of the way to make sure we received top dollar for our home. He invested a ton of hours and energy to ensure we maximized our marketing and brought in a large amount of interested buyers. In addition, once we accepted an offer Sante made sure to follow up with the escrow company and even funded us earlier then the original closing date. It’s rare that I come on Yelp to write a review but I highly value good service and Sante is one of those rare brokers who believes in doing the right thing and building a relationship instead of a quick sale. Needless to say when it’s time to buy again we have our broker!”
SELLER AND BUYER REVIEW
Single-level
Soaring
Chef’s
Serene
Park-like
Detached
46 MERRILL CIRCLE N., MORAGA
53 H idden Oaks Drive, Lafayette
4 Bedrooms | 3 Full Bathrooms + 2 Half Bathrooms
5,300± Sq.Ft. | .90± Acres | Bonus Room + Office
2,000± Bottle Wine Room | 3-Car Garage Pool, Spa, Outdoor Kitchen and More! Offered at $4,600,000 53HiddenOaks.com
Stunning Mid-Century Modern Estate
5 Brookbank Road - Orinda
4 Beds • 2.5 Baths • 1.22 Acre Lot
This exquisite mid-century residence was designed by the notable modernist Paul Hammarberg, one of the Bay Area’s most successful Mid-century Modern architects and is surrounded by an amazing gated 1.22 acre landscaped estate property with patios and flat lawn areas for play and entertaining. Private, yet minutes to downtown Orinda. The original elements of the design, open floor plan, paneled walls, and exposed beams remain and are complemented by a careful extensive remodel. This home lives the indoor/outdoor life style with walls of dual paned windows and skylights that stream natural light and frame garden views throughout the home. The focus is on energy efficiency with an extensive owned solar system, radiant heat and mini splits for additional heat and cooling with a backup Kohler home generator. The kitchen was recently remodeled and expanded for the serious chef and includes an Induction Cook top and Steam Convection Oven. The fabulous yard has two potential pool sites surrounded by lush lawns and landscaping. There is a green house for the outdoor enthusiast!
Offered at $3,195,000 | www.5Brookbank.com
You are welcome to follow me on Instagram @Lauraabrams_
1121 Rahara Drive
NEWLY PRICED AT $3,195,000
Nestled in the heart of Happy Valley, one of Lafayette's most prestigious neighborhoods, this stunning home seamlessly blends European old-world charm with modern California living.
WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING OR SELLING LUXURY HIGH-END PROPERTIES,
success starts with experience, local expertise, and trusted connections. The agents featured in this directory are proven leaders in the luxury market—professionals with deep knowledge, powerful networks, and a track record of exceptional results. Backed by insight and discretion, they offer personalized service, strategic guidance, and access to exclusive opportunities others may never see. If you want the best, they’re right here.
Find your trusted luxury expert here today and take the first step toward your next extraordinary move. Give one a call!
