$1.8M Montclair mid-century masterpiece is an ode to the letter M

This 1961 Montclair mid-century masterpiece, with multiple levels and magnificent views, is for sale for $1.8M. This 1961 Montclair mid-century masterpiece, with multiple levels and magnificent views, is for sale for $1.8M. Photo: Aerial Canvas Photo: Aerial Canvas Image 1 of / 99 Caption Close $1.8M Montclair mid-century masterpiece is an ode to the letter M 1 / 99 Back to Gallery

A multi-level masterpiece of mid-century design, 2160 Mastlands Drive asks $1.8 million. And if you're sensing an "M" theme, you're correct.

The home was originally built for an architect, by an architect. In 1961 Benjamin Fishstein designed the floorplan for this home in the shape of an M, to honor his wife, whose name also started with an "M." However, Fishstein died before his family could ever live in the home, and it was sold to a second owner, who stayed for almost four decades.

The current owner, who property records show purchased the home in 2018 for $1.750 million, is now selling the property for just $50,000 more than the purchase price. The seller "decided that he wants to return to a more quiet life in the country," listing agent Herman Chan told SFGate.

But it seems life could be pretty quiet up here. This 2,581 square foot abode is perched on a .37 acre lot in Montclair's forested Piedmont Pines. And it's walkable to many more forested acres in Joaquin Miller Park and the Reinhardt Regional Park.

The home itself offers four bedrooms and three bathrooms on three levels, all three of which look out over the sylvan setting. The fourth level operates as a large deck, jutting out over the precipice.

The design showcases classic mid-century elements: there are exposed structural beams, geometric angles, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls that open to wrap-around decks so inside and outside leaving merge.

The bedroom options consist of a ground floor en suite in-law apartment (plumbed for a kitchenette) with separate entry, two bedrooms on the main level, and a huge master bedroom on the top floor.

Fishstein was ahead of his time, repurposing materials to build the house. "For example, the beautiful ceiling beams," Chan said, "if you look closely have sporadic holes. Those were for nuts and bolts. The beams were from a bridge."

When it was built, this home's unique design caught the attention of Milan, Italy, and it was featured in a design magazine.

See the full listing here.

Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert.