Blissful Berkley Place Villa on Pembroke Drive

I admit I have a bias towards older houses, as charm and architectural literacy is so often lacking in new construction. And this exquisite 1923 vintage mini-villa in Berkley Place is a stellar exemplar of abiding heirloom excellence.

Observe how the narrow French doors appear to press the triple arched central bay forward. Or the symmetrically disposed windows and doors that follow the architectural maxim of mass over mass, void over void. Add in thick stucco walls and red tile roof in the Texas Mediterranean idiom, and I’m totally smitten.

And, apparently I’m not alone. This house went out on MLS Monday and by end of day on Tuesday had multiple offers and is now under active contract.

This is, in fact, the home of League Real Estate star Carley Moore who was drawn into the business when she sold her first house as a For Sale by Owner.

Carley inherited some useful updates such as a spacious master bath gained by enclosing a second-floor terrace. Everything else is the result of Moore’s efforts. Inside one experiences a sense of abundant flowing space. The 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath residence rambles over three levels.

The living room, painted in a cool cocktail onion gray, is large enough for multiple seating groups. The gas fireplace retains the original 1920s-era tiles. Space has been opened here and there without losing the pleasing proportions of the interior. The kitchen overlooks the dining room — a useful vantage for keeping an eye on the kids.

The renovated kitchen sports stainless Jenn-Air oven, warming drawer, and microwave oven, which can do double duty as a second conventional oven. There is a gas cooktop and wine fridge as well. The white-on-white color scheme is achieved with abundant painted cabinetry, subway tile, and quartz countertops. The adjacent breakfast area has a glazed door overlooking the backyard deck. The counter with a small sink could serve as a bar/coffee bar.

The principal bedroom suite is composed of a dressing area with built-in cabinets and a second full laundry area opening up to a spacious en-suite bath. 

Not counted in the stated square footage is nearly 500 square feet of finished basement with a gas fireplace. This space has nearly limitless potential as a second living area, an additional bedroom, entertaining area, or home gym.

At back is a raised deck. Parking at back is accessed from an electric door. The covered parking area has been finished out with a beadboard ceiling with recessed lighting and a ceiling fan for use as an additional outdoor entertainment area. And there are the Berkley extras that you don’t immediately notice like the fine rock masonry walls grown nobly mossy with time.

Carley Moore of League Real Estate has listed 2012 Pembroke Drive for $839,000.