Claremont Pines was formally the P.E. Bowels estate “The Pines.” It is bounded by Broadway Terrace, Country Club Drive, Acacia Drive, and Romany Road.
Palatial Home to be Built
In July of 1928, a palatial residence was to be built in the new subdivision Claremont Pines developed by York Company Inc. The home was known as the Tribune-Schlesinger Home.
The Spanish-Mediterranean style home was sponsored by the Oakland Tribune and was furnished by B.F. Schlesinger and Sons.
The house was designed by Frederick H. Reimers, an Oakland architect, and was constructed by C. Dudley de Velbiss, a well-known builder.
Drive Out Today
Each phase of the construction was fully described in columns in the Oakland Tribune. During construction, the site was open to the public.
Great care was taken in the selection for the residence, which occupies a prominent corner overlooking the Claremont golf course and facing the Golden Gate.
“The Mediterranean type of architecture was selected to conform to the contour of the site and to the general rolling nature of the terrain.”
Frederick Reimers July 29, 1928
The house has sixteen rooms, each with an individual style. It has a ballroom, library and a smoking room.
The halls and library have floors of colored, hand-made tile, and doorways are arched.
It is further enhanced by a series of walled-in courts and terraces.
The landscaping was done under the supervision of Johannes Reimers a local landscaper and artist. He was also the Father of Frederick.
Tribune-Schlesinger Home Breaks Ground
On August 09, 1928, the official groundbreaking was held in the presence of a large group of Eastbay notables.
Home is Near Completion
“Plastering is now ready to start.”
$55,000 was invested in the project exclusive of the furniture and furnishings.
Unique Feature of Home
“a haven of rest and peace from the busy world.”
Frederick H. Reimers Architect
The exterior brick fireplace and terrace brick walls leading to the entrance are the same color as the stucco.
A Firm Foundation
Another feature was the concrete foundation installed by J.H Fitzmaurice, Inc., a local concrete contractor. The quality of the material used in the foundation is the very best at that time.
All bearing walls are twelve inches in thickness.
Shows Rapid Progress
Significant progress was reported on November 04, 1928. It was expected to open on December 02, 1928.
A rare harmony of late Renaissance furnishings promised to make the home of exceptional interest, under the guidance of A.L. Abrott of the B.F. Schlesinger & Sons.
The upper floors followed the lighter moods of the seventeenth century when Venice was still at the height of her glory.
The ballroom or social hall on the ground floor was decorated in the spirit of modern jazz and twentieth-century amusement.
Magnificent Vestibule
Upon entering the vestibule, one is impressed by the tremendous Castillian effect of the entrance, and the monumental stairway—the curving staircase with artistic hand-wrought iron railing.
The main stairway leads to a secondary vestibule, which in turn gives access to four bedrooms.
New Type of Telephones
Convenience was the new type of telephone installation by Pacific Bell. Each telephone placed to obtain the highest possible comfort and privacy for the users and blend in with the decor.
Two main lines were installed: one for the use of the family and the second primarily for the servants’ use.
A hand telephone with a key box was installed in the master bedroom. The keys could cut off the servant’s phone for privacy.
A wall telephone connected to the servants’ line was placed in the garage.
Formally Opened
The formal opening was held on Sunday, December 30, 1928. Lucile Webster Gleason of the Dufwin Theater, star in “The Shannons of Broadway,” formally opened the doors.
Large Crowds
Ten thousand visitors viewed the home in the first week it was opened. Of this number, seven thousand attended the opening day.
Tribune-Schlesinger Home Claremont Pines
Claremont Pines Homes
More Info:
Claremont Pines – Oakland Local Wiki
- Splendid Home To Be Eastbay Masterpiece – Oakland Tribune July 29, 1928
- Breaks Ground – Oakland Tribune August 12, 1928
- Near Completion – Oakland Tribune October 21, 1928
- A Vision Almost Realized – Oakland Tribune October 21, 1928
- Unique Feature of Home – Oakland Tribune October 28, 1928
- Environment – Oakland Tribune October 28, 1928
- Will be Triumph of Interior Decorator’s Art – Oakland Tribune November 04, 1928
- Valuable Ideas – Oakland Tribune November 11, 1928
- Progress Made on Display Home is Reported – Oakland Tribune November 11, 1928
- Hospitality and Comfort – Oakland Tribune November 18, 1928
- Display Home Entrance – Oakland Tribune November 18, 1928
- New Type Telephones In Home – Oakland Tribune November 25, 1928
- A Foregone Conclusion – Oakland Tribune November 25, 1928
- Convenient Arrangement – Oakland Tribune December 02, 1928
- Good Progress Reported On Display Home – Oakland Tribune December 02, 1928
- Formal Announcement of the Opening – Oakland Tribune December 08, 1928
- Magnificent Model Home Opens Sunday – Oakland Tribune December 09, 1928
- Formally Opened – Oakland Tribune December 30, 1928
- Model Home Opens – Oakland Tribune December 30, 1928
- Large Crowds At Claremont Pines Home – Oakland Tribune January 06, 1929
- 10,000 See Claremont Pines Home – Oakland Tribune January 06, 1929
- “Fait Accompli” – Oakland Tribune January 06, 1929
- Refrigerator in Model Home – Oakland Tribune January 13, 1929
Today
- 2 Westminster Drive
- Frederick H. Reimers architect
- C. Dudley de Velbiss – builder
- York Company Inc. – Developers
- Built in 1928
- Sold for $2,3 million in 2008
This house recently sold again. Nice interior photos still up on the various real estate aggregator sites.