When Breska Associates rescued the spacious garden bungalows from the wrecking ball, they did more than rehabilitate nine Piedmont rental units. They very well may have saved the only known Northern California work from architect Irving Gill. This unique property consists of nine Craftsman Style garden cottages on nearly one half acre of prime real estate located in central Piedmont. The units are arranged around a gently sloping central courtyard and fountain that offers an unobstructed, panoramic view of the Bay and San Francisco. Gill (1870-1936) was one of the early advocates of the modern movement in the United States. A Frank Lloyd Wright contemporary, Gill worked with Wright at Louis H. Sullivan’s Chicago practice. Most of Gill’s work is located in the coastal towns of Southern California, such as La Jolla’s Vaencia and Colonial hotels and the La Jolla Women’s Club.
It was a neighbor with a background in architectural history that clued the owners into this major discovery. Bruce Kamerling, curator and expert on Gill’s work at the San Diego Historical Society, had been aware for quite some time that Gill had designed a small number of projects in the Bay Area. “This is 98 percent authentic Gill,” said Kamerling, upon seeing photos of the restored property.
Historically important, this project was meticulously restored to presence its’ large arched windows, a known trademark of Gill. Ready for demolition, every unit underwent a major restoration and modernization of all the systems. Each unit has a private patio or courtyard, dining room, fireplace and hardwood floors.
