Like to hear the waves break on the rocky shore and watch pelicans glide past your living room window while sipping your first cup of morning coffee? There is only one place you can do that between Alameda and Marina Bay in Richmond: the Watergate condos in Emeryville. The Watergate Community Association was constructed on bay fill in the mid-1970’s as a resort apartment complex with 1249 units. It quickly became known for parties and the swinging lifestyle, with four swimming pools, four tennis courts, racquetball, billards, a complete gym, an expansive clubhouse, all situated right on the waterfront next to harbor full of sailboats and yachts.

 

 

 

Designed by the well-known architectural firm Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons, the Watergate accentuates indoor/outdoor living with huge floor-to-ceiling windows and all glass lobbies. Recent renovations included faceted mirrors in lobbies which bring the reflected light off the water into the building itself. This is quinessential California living. And yes, there are still occasional pool parties such as the annual Fourth of July bash with a live band and grilled burgers. A few Watergate residents even know about the boat room where kayaks and paddleboards are found. Each of the six major residential buildings also has a bike room, perfect for retrieving a bicycle to enjoy an after-work ride along the waterfront.

I know about these things because my wife and I are residents and have been enjoyed this fabulous location for the past fifteen years. The main reason we bought a home here was convenience, as we both work in Berkeley. We soon discovered many joys of this location: only a few blocks to Trader Joe’s to the east, only a few steps to Trader Vic’s on the west. Make a last minute decision to catch a new movie? AMC Bay Street is less than five minutes by car. Don’t have a car? The free Emery-Go-Round shuttle will get you there too. In fact, there are far too many restaurants and shops to mention. More than once I have walked to the Amtrak station to catch the Coast Starlight to Santa Barbara or the California Zephyr to Reno. How can you beat that? Work in San Francisco? The toll plaza is just across from the Watergate. We’ve driven to SFO in 20 minutes on Sunday mornings.

And it’s so affordable. The spacious one-bedroom unit across the hall was rented for $2,500 a month. We are selling our condo home now because retirement has overtaken us, plus the desire to be close to our rapidly growing grandchildren. Our price: $524,900. It’s a top-floor corner unit with panoramic views and too many upgrades to list here. If you are thinking about buying instead of renting, you might want to visit this Saturday and Sunday to see for yourself. Open from 2 to 4:30. You can check out the photos at www.4captain404.com. We hope to see you. BTW, I am selling my home as the owner and as a licensed agent with Berkeley Hills Realty.

 

~ By Tom Knight