Ben McKee bought a Tuscan-style house at the end of a quiet road in Oakland’s steep Montclair Village neighborhood around ten years ago, and since then, he has made “some pretty incredible memories.” The Grammy-winning Imagine Dragons bassist wrote songs while a soft wind blew through the open doors, posed for pictures in the gorgeous terraced garden to commemorate his marriage to Mary, and hosted several game evenings and dinner parties for friends. In addition, the food aficionado produced parts for his YouTube cooking program in which he prepared dishes in a “professional quality kitchen” with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Ming Tsai.
But the most enjoyable experience for this resident of Sonoma County? “Just to sit outside on the front porch and watch the red-tail hawks departing from their daytime perches to be replaced by the great-horned owls who call to each other into the night as the sun sets behind the San Francisco skyline,” the man stated in a statement.
The 39-year-old artist is ready to sell his longtime residence and is asking just under $1.3 million, which is approximately $145,000 more than he purchased for it back in the summer of 2014. This is after more than ten years and many happy memories. However, during his tenure, the property underwent considerable renovations, most notably an enlargement that added two decks, a separate entrance for the lower-level bedroom and bathroom, and central air conditioning.
Constructed during the initial years of the 1990s, the brown wood-shingled building is nestled on a nearly one-third-acre plot of ground with terraces and gardens, located in the upscale Montclair Village district. Inside, over 2,700 square feet of multi-level living space with three bedrooms and an equal number of baths are decorated with blond hardwood floors, high ceilings punctuated by wood beams, and skylights.
A large living and dining area with built-in seating on either side and sliding glass doors leading out to a large wraparound deck with spectacular views of San Francisco Bay is particularly striking. A walk-in pantry, high-end stainless appliances, and an island with a butcher block top have been added to the renovated adjacent kitchen. A main suite with a walk-in closet, an outdoor hot tub with easy access, a private deck, and an opulent bathroom with dual vanities, a spa tub, and an open rainfall shower can be found elsewhere.
“It is a very special place and I will never forget the time that we spent there,” McKee told listing agent Sharon Ho of Compass. “I’ve never lived in a place like it and I know that I will never find another place like it. From the thrill of watching the Blue Angels buzz the house for Fleet Week to counting the stars from the hot tub after a long day, our time there and all of the memories we’ve made will be something that we treasure for the rest of our lives.”
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