John Hudson Thomas Masterpiece: Hume Cloister

$7,450,000

2900 Buena Vista Way, Berkeley

Presented by
Anian Tunney & Adrienne Krumins

The Remarkable Hume Cloister: A Hidden Monastic Gem in the Berkeley Hills

Tucked away on a winding stretch of Buena Vista Way, the Hume Cloister is a Berkeley treasure hidden in plain sight. Shielded by gates and sited among towering oaks and redwoods, this 1929 Gothic Revival estate feels like a medieval French monastery transported to the California hills.

Designed by noted architect John Hudson Thomas for Samuel and Portia Bell Hume, the home is a living testament to intellectual and architectural ambition.
Inspired by a 13th-century monastery in Toulouse, France, the residence blends Old World craftsmanship with the vision of its remarkable owners. Samuel Hume, a UC Berkeley professor and art curator, and Portia Bell Hume, a trailblazer in psychiatry and medical education, created a sanctuary for creativity, reflection, and community.

Set on over two-thirds of an acre, the home enjoys sweeping views from Mt. Tamalpais to the Golden Gate. From the main terrace, the Bay unfolds like a framed landscape painting. Inside, vaulted 25-foot ceilings, massive fireplaces, wrought-iron chandeliers, and stone arches speak to another era. A mezzanine library overlooks the Bay, housing over 2,000 books in a space as meditative as it is functional.

At the home’s heart is its namesake cloister courtyard—a colonnaded, contemplative space with a central stone well, designed for serenity and communion. A recent 7+ year restoration has updated the home with modern systems and amenities while preserving historic integrity. The kitchen features a Wolf range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, custom millwork, and a skylit ceiling. All five en-suite bathrooms have been stylishly renovated with copper fixtures, custom tile, and heated floors.

Beyond the cloister, the grounds offer a koi pond, bocce court, greenhouse, garden beds, and a deck with a sunken hot tub outside the primary suite. The suite itself includes floor-to-ceiling windows, dual walk-in closets, and a wooden soaking tub. Additional en-suite bedrooms offer privacy for guests, and a detached guest house includes a full kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bath.

The Hume Cloister is more than a home—it’s a philosophical statement, a masterwork of design and intention. With its rare blend of history, craftsmanship, and modern comfort, this hidden sanctuary invites its next chapter while honoring its extraordinary past.

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Neighborhood

This popular Berkley neighborhood is known by at least a few names, including Gourmet Gulch, North Shattuck ,and Gourmet Ghetto. Located less than a mile north of Downtown Berkley, Gourmet Ghetto is often considered the birthplace and epicenter of California Cuisine.

The homes in the Gourmet Ghetto range from well-preserved Victorian-style homes to bungalows and meticulously preserved Craftsmans. In fact, the eclectic mix of real estate in the Gourmet Ghetto garners so much attention, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association conducts regular neighborhood tours in the area. Thanks to the nearby BART Station and central shopping district, the Gourmet Ghetto is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Berkeley.

Everything from Oakland to the bustling Downtown San Francisco area is less than an hour commute from Gourmet Ghetto. Oakland Medical Center is less than 20 minutes from the Downtown Berkeley BART Station and residents can be at Google’s headquarters in less than 45 minutes. UC Berkeley is just a mile away, making Gourmet Ghetto a great place for students, faculty, and staff to call home.

Live Oak Park, located near Shattuck Avenue between Eunice and Rose Streets, is ideal for a variety of events and recreation. Amenities include basketball courts, a volleyball court, lighted tennis courts, picnic areas, and an open-air theater which hosts children’s plays and Shakespearean productions. Just east of Live Oak Park is the Berkeley Art Center, which proudly displays a variety of exhibits, art openings, and lectures.

The true origin story of the moniker 'Gourmet Ghetto' is contested, but it's easy to see how the name came about. The strip of Shattuck Avenue between Cedar and Vine streets is anchored by Alice Waters' world-famous Chez Panisse Restaurant & Café, The Cheese Board Collective, and the original Peet’s Coffee & Tea. Each of these restaurants have been icons in the neighborhood for decades and there’s no sign of them slowing down anytime soon. Simply put, the area is a laid-back mecca for those who want to eat, drink, and live well. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association conducts regular neighborhood tours in the area. Thanks to the nearby BART Station and central shopping district, the Gourmet Ghetto is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Berkeley.

Everything from Oakland to the bustling Downtown San Francisco area is less than an hour commute from Gourmet Ghetto. Oakland Medical Center is less than 20 minutes from the Downtown Berkeley BART Station and residents can be at Google’s headquarters in less than 45 minutes. UC Berkeley is just a mile away, making Gourmet Ghetto a great place for students, faculty, and staff to call home.

Live Oak Park, located near Shattuck Avenue between Eunice and Rose Streets, is ideal for everything from morning walks to outdoor sports and a plethora of other events. Amenities include basketball courts, a volleyball court, lighted tennis courts, picnic areas, and an open-air theater which hosts children’s plays and Shakespearean productions. Just east of Live Oak Park is the Berkeley Art Center which proudly displays a variety of exhibits, art openings, and lectures.

Alice Kahn first used the phrase “Gourmet Ghetto” over 40 years ago. The strip of Shattuck Avenue between Cedar and Vine streets is anchored by Alice Waters’ world-famous Chez Panisse Restaurant & Café, The Cheese Board Collective, and the original Peet’s Coffee & Tea. Each of these restaurants have been icons in the neighborhood for decades and there’s no sign of them slowing down anytime soon. Simply put, the area is a laid-back mecca for those who want to eat, drink, and live well.