Addresses: 2030 State Street, Unit 14; 621 West Ortega Street, Unit B; 1816 Chapala Street, Unit 2
Status: On the market
Prices: $695,000, $695,000, $624,999
Our weather certainly came out of hibernation abruptly last week. We went from rain boots and parkas to flip-flops and sunblock almost overnight. This sudden onset of spring makes an afternoon at the beach more appealing than one spent inside the office. Fortunately, visiting open houses is a great sunny-day activity, so I got the best of both worlds as I zipped around town and chose three different condominiums to highlight here.
2030 State Street is a cluster of late ’50s condos with a retro feel, in an unbeatable location near the Mission and downtown called Villa Capri Aire. On this summer-like day, the large central courtyard with a welcoming fountain lent a vacation-like feel. I could just as easily have been in Palm Desert. It helps that Unit 14 is tucked at the far end of the horseshoe, farthest from the street, offering quiet, privacy, and convenience.
Inside, I was awed by the spaciousness of this one-bedroom, one-bath home. An open floorplan of more than 1,000 square feet feels even larger thanks to huge windows and sliding-glass doors looking out onto the courtyard and a front patio. The whole home has a stylish, mid-century vibe. The bathroom impresses with both a designer-tiled shower and an extra-large soaking tub. The kitchen boasts European appliances and a striking patterned tile backsplash. There’s both a separate dining area inside and a private covered patio outside, providing options for entertaining and daily routines. There’s plenty of storage and even an oversized closet that could double as an office, a sewing room, or even a reading nook.
I found 621 West Ortega down a long driveway on a quiet cul-de-sac on the Westside. Although it’s close to City College and West Beach, I felt like I had found a hidden treasure, especially when I stepped inside. Unit B is a two-story townhome with Spanish touches throughout, from Saltillo tile flooring to golden-hued living room walls, and a colorful tiled staircase that smiled at me from the foyer. The first floor is open living space, with the kitchen flowing into the combined dining and living room with high ceilings and recessed lighting. The living room opens onto a private back patio with tall bamboo around the perimeter. Another fenced patio off the kitchen brings the outdoors in from both directions. A convenient half-bath makes the downstairs perfect for entertaining.
Upstairs, two one-bedroom suites sit at either end of a hallway with laundry tucked in between. Each bedroom has a full bathroom and generous closets. An attic with a handy pull-down ladder provides even more storage. Built in 2006, this home has more than 1400 square feet of living space, plus both a garage and a carport, and upgrades throughout that even include air conditioning.
The third condominium is located at 1816 Chapala Street, behind a classic Craftsman home. At 860 square feet, this two-bedroom, one-bath unit is the smallest of our trio, yet it feels the most house-like of the group. This is at least in part because of its setting. This downstairs unit plus a neighboring unit upstairs and the house up front make up the entire three-unit complex.
The front door opens to show off gleaming rosewood floors, which continue throughout. A hallway leads past a compact kitchen separated from the living room by a convenient center island and breakfast bar. A brick-lined fireplace sits angled in one corner of the living room, while across from it, a big bay window looks out onto the private fenced backyard. French doors lead to a wood deck covered by a retractable awning, giving options for any weather. A brick patio edged by attractive landscaping offers room for outdoor dining and a perfect play space for pets or kids. Back inside, a hallway leads to the bedrooms separated by a full bath. There’s a separate laundry room and plenty of storage, plus charming touches like stained glass windows in the bedrooms.
Spring is a great time to visit open houses. I love the sparkling views, watching the sunlight filter through the windows, and admiring the flowers in every garden. These three condos are blooming with potential, just waiting for new owners to make themselves at home.
2030 State Street, Unit 14, is listed by Dianne and Brianna Johnson of Village Properties Realtors. Reach Dianne at (805) 455-6570 or Brianna at (805) 450-6078 or johnson@villagesite.com.
621 West Ortega Street, Unit B, is listed by Gamberdella + Timmerman of Village Properties Realtors. Reach Cara Gamberdella at (805) 680-3826 or cara@villagesite.com, and Erin Timmerman at (805) 689-9970 or etimmerman@villagesite.com.
1816 Chapala Street, Unit 2, is listed by David Charles Allen of Village Properties Realtors. Reach David at david@davidcharlesallen.com or (805) 617-9311.