A Pool Party and a Storybook House: Exploring Huntleigh and Lexford

Our Piedmont Recreation Department’s Walking on Wednesdays group gathered last Wednesday at the Exedra on a warm morning that was forecast to be a “Piedmont hot” day. There was a large turnout of 50 walkers and five K-9 best friends in attendance.

There was a big turnout on this hot day because we were going to a pool party. We hadn’t been up to the Huntleigh/Lexford loop off Hampton Road this year, and walker/realtor Stacey I. had a home for sale at 11 Huntleigh Road. She wanted to show us the house and its swimming pool.

We started off going behind the Exedra, past the Community Hall and Tea House, and up the Highland-Guilford steps in the upper part of Piedmont Park. We emerged on Highland Avenue, crossed it, and walked along the path on the inside of the long strip of grass that was once a Key System train line right of way. Parked along Highland, in front of the grass was one of the biggest moving van most of us had ever seen. We continued up Sheridan Avenue to Wildwood Avenue, the Hall Fenway, Crocker Avenue, and Hampton Road. Along Hampton, just before Sea View Avenue, a construction project was underway. A big, deep space had been carved out of the land next to the house. We thought it might be an ADU, but a worker said, no, it is to be a new garage.

We went up Hampton Road to Hampton Park/Field and regrouped there. Everyone said they wanted to make the climb up Hampton to Huntleigh Road and see Stacey’ listing, so off we went. We crossed LaSalle Avenue, passed through the two, large, white columns that marked the main entrance to the early 20^th Century St. James Wood real estate development. We went up the development’s signature, terracotta tile inlay sidewalks to Hampton’s corner with Lexford Road where we came to the first of two, very large and beautiful southern magnolia Piedmont Heritage Trees. These trees are native to the southeastern United States and Piedmont has many of them throughout the city. Just one block further up Hampton we came to the second southern magnolia at Huntleigh.

Huntleigh forms a big loop with Lexford Road and there was some initial uncertainly over which way to go to find Stacey’s house. But Stacey was calling to us in front of the home, and that confirmed left was right. We regrouped at the house, and Stacy told us about it.

This 3,608 square foot home has 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ bathrooms, was built in 1955, and is listed for $2,995K. However, based on what other Piedmont homes have been selling for this year, it could sell for more. It has a stone breezeway entrance with vaulted ceilings. There’s a formal living room, family room, and a gourmet kitchen. The primary suite has treetop views and there’s a patio, garden, and the pool. Stacey said that as part of the house staging, her staging company has the artwork on the walks for sale too. She invited us to go inside to take a look and get some thoughtfully provided water and energy generating donut holes.

We were impressed with all aspects of the inside of this lovely home and also the backyard pool that we circled for the attached group photo. We relaxed, enjoyed ourselves, and had our pool party. It was suggested this home would be a wonderful Wednesday walkers clubhouse.

After finishing our house tour and pool party we went further up Huntleigh to where it runs into Lexford. Further down Lexford, just before Hampton, we came to a unique, brick exterior home built in a Storybook style. It was designed by architect and engineer Carr Jones, who is considered one of the great Storybook home builders in the Bay Area. It has a circular brick chimney, a wavy brick wall, a terracotta tile and slate roof, and a brick block maze in the front yard. A turret the middle of the house gives it a castle fort look and a sign at the front door proclaims, “The Roster Crows, but the Hen Delivers.”

The house was built in 1939, but it also has a unique brick garage addition to the right, and a swimming pool in the back. On a past walk, the owner came out and told the walkers that the house was his wife’s childhood home and that their children built the maze as a Covid project with the many bricks around the house. He also said the best part of the house is its radiant heating.

We enjoyed this second beautiful house too, but it was time to head back to the Exedra. A light breeze reduced the morning’s heat as we took Hampton, La Salle, St. James Drive back up to Hampton and Wildwood. As we made our way up Sheridan, two young deer led us back to the center of town. They were one more fun sight on another enjoyable Wednesday walk.