Project Spotlight: Castro Condo
The Story of the Castro Condo…
This renovation project is near and dear to our hearts. Not only was it once the home to Studio Maven’s Founding Principal, Audrey Bauer, and her growing family, but also occupied by two other members of the Studio Maven team as well! (That’s a whole different story for another time.)
At Studio Maven, we understand exactly how special and personal a space can be for the people living in it. No matter if you’re newlyweds, grandparents, or roommates, your house needs to feel like a home. It's the space where you celebrate big milestones, gather together with friends, and have quiet moments with loved ones.
Now, and in future posts, we want to share with you the stories behind some of our favorite finished projects. Much like the Castro Street Condo, we know that a well-done renovation can make a world of difference.
Fortunately, the Castro Condo has always enjoyed a lush, private backyard. The block of connected backyards is an urban jungle on the Eureka Valley hillside, and the lush greenery fills the windows of the condo and blocked any direct lines of sight to neighbors- a one-of-a-kind view that we fell in love with instantly. However, the interior needed some work.
The windows were original and barely functional, likely from before the great earthquake of 1906, when the house was built. The bathroom featured grey & pink tile, and no storage space. The front closets were from another time and too small to be useful. The kitchen was usable but outdated, as if it had been an afterthought when the house was converted from a single-family home to a condo.
When we started design work, the flooring was a top priority. The original redwood subfloor had zero insulation, so you could hear our downstairs neighbors word for word. Though entertaining- it needed to be addressed. Not only did we lay new flooring, but added noise insulation and radiant flooring heat throughout.
Next, we redid the windows with sound-insulated glazing and original trim to match. Then we took down the wall between the kitchen and living room- which would have been a bedroom originally. We also removed the chimney flue from the kitchen below, and created a simple, open kitchen.
For the bedrooms, we repurposed the tiny closet from the second bedroom so the primary bedroom had his and hers closets.
We also created a closet from leftover space in the bathroom and added period-appropriate trim throughout. Plus, the entire space got all new finishes and fixtures.
Finally, we redid the decking with long lasting, thermally modified wood, so that the indoor/outdoor flow was seamless. The transition from the great room to the balcony was seamless, and perfect for soaking in the calm greenery view.
The compact bathroom has ample storage to stay functional for day to day use and survive large gatherings with friends. The simplified kitchen had everything for great cooking and entertaining, despite its size.
We gathered in the Castro Condo many days and nights, enjoying good food and good company.
Photographer: Cesar Rubio