Berkeley Women's City Club
Also known as: Berkeley City Club
.JPG){kind=link}
Why it's listed
Completed in 1929 on Durant Avenue in Berkeley, this six-story reinforced concrete building was designed by Julia Morgan as a residence and social club. The first two floors hold large public rooms, while a four-story tower above contains residence rooms. Gothic-style tracery, leaded glass, cast stone details, walk-in fireplaces, interior garden courts and an indoor swimming pool mark the design, and the interior has a medieval character. Morgan designed it at the height of her career, after her work on San Simeon, and developed her own approach to club buildings from that experience. The nomination presents it as the most representative and best maintained example of this style in the Bay Area and as a type of elegant social club popular in the twenties and thirties. The original furnishings survive in excellent condition. The club was founded for women and changed its name and admitted men as members in 1962.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a significant example of an eclectic medieval/Gothic residential club and an outstanding, well-maintained example of Julia Morgan's work. It argues the building's scale, integration of structure, design and ornamentation, dramatic spaces and use of light and shadow give it overall excellence. It is described as the most representative and best maintained example of this style in the Bay Area.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 77000282, listed October 28, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley |
|---|---|
| County | Alameda County |
| Listed | October 28, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000282 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Julia Morgan |
| Architectural style | Eclectic medieval/Gothic residential club |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition of fabric is described as excellent and well cared for, with original furnishings also in excellent condition; it remains in the possession of its original owners and is occupied. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.86765, -122.26277 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 77000282.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4891996
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.