About 1921 Walnut St.

Historical Significance + Affordable Housing = A Berkeley Treasure

Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA)

letter of support for protecting 1921 Walnut St.

 June 28, 2020 

Re: Home Street Apartments 

The Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association is dedicated to the appreciation of Berkeley’s history and the preservation of its historic buildings. For decades, we have helped to recognize a diverse set of buildings and sites, telling the stories of those who designed, built, worked and lived there. Many are now officially designated as City or National Landmarks. 

Here today, we are supporting the protection of a building constructed 111 years ago. Its name was the Home Street Apartments, since this block of Walnut Street was originally Home Street. We do not miss the irony of such a name when helping tenants fighting to stay home, especially in these trying times. Throughout its history, the building remained, although the street name and number have changed. 

The Home Street Apartments building is a rare four-story Colonial Revival structure, quite unique in Berkeley. Notice the classical details at the front entrance, with its neo-Ionic columns, carved corbels, dentils, and egg-and-dart details. The building was constructed for William B. Heywood, scion of an important Berkeley pioneer family. The Heywoods made many local contributions, from the first lumber yard and Berkeley wharf to a Mayor, Charles Heywood. William built the landmark Heywood Building at 2014 Shattuck Avenue and the landmark Heywood Apartments at 2119 Addison Street, among other Berkeley properties. The builder, George L. Mohr, constructed the building at a cost of $7,000. He is credited with Berkeley Landmarks such as the Acheson Physicians’ Building, William Such Building, and the Bonita Apartments. 

There is significance to the block, with the City of Berkeley Landmark University Garage behind it and the shingled 1925 Walnut Street next door, each representing a period of significance to Berkeley and the University of California. The historic potential is further supported by the building’s inclusion in the California State Historic Resources Inventory where it is coded as “Appears eligible for [listing in the] National Register of Historic Places as an individual property through survey evaluation.” 

This 111-year-old building is a perfect example of how historic resources often provide affordable housing. Without this building, Berkeley will lose a source of lower cost, rent controlled housing and will gain nothing except potentially more homeless. The building must be preserved. 

For more information on the site and the people associated with it, visit our site, berkeleyheritage.com, including the following article: 
http://berkeleyheritage.com/eastbay_then-now/heywood3.html (scroll down to see the apartment building) 

Sincerely, 
Arlene Silk 
Vice-President, BAHA 

Learn more about BAHA at https://www.berkeleyheritage.com/ 

1921 Walnut St. is featured in the Spring 2021 issue of The BAHA Newsletter. BAHA supports the preservation of 1921 Walnut St. and also condemns UC’s Long Range Development Plan. Read below and visit BAHA’s website to learn more. http://www.berkeleyheritage.com/