Mid-Century Modern Marin

Marin County was occupied by the Coastal Miwok Indians when the Spanish arrived. The area was named after the "great chief Huicmuse of the Licatiut, in his honor, by General Vallejo during the first California Legislature. He was given the name Marino in his baptism at Mission Dolores.

When in modern times we think of California, it's actually Marin we picture: its abundant, picturesque locations like Muir Woods and Stinson Beach, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais, Sausalito, Mill Valley, and Larkspur. But more than location, it is a lifestyle. The modern-day mountain bike was invented in Marin and tested on Mt. Tam. The waters of Corte Madera Creek, Stream, and the Bay are plyed with kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Triathletes train by swimming in the Bay and running the hills. Hikers and dog walkers have hundreds of miles of paths to explore. And, need I say, the weather is ideal? It is an outdoor enthusiast's mecca.

So, in the realms of location, location, location, Marin is aspirational for many, many people.

When Neils Schultz returned from World War II as a lieutenant colonel of the Army Air Corps, he joined his family business, Schultz Building Company. He had studied civil engineering at Stanford. The family had noticed the dire shortage of affordable housing for troops returning from war. San Francisco was a relatively crowded and densely populated city. They bought 635 acres of ranch land from the San Francisco Archdiocese and set about creating a community with shopping, transportation, great weather, and a variety of housing types for all the transplants coming to the Bay Area. They named their new development Greenbrae, which is Scottish for green hills.
In his lifetime, he built more than 1000 homes and 1500 condos, and dozens of businesses, including BonAir Mall, which is still the center of the community today.

290 Via Casitas, #206 is a comfortable 1350 square foot home with views of Mount Tamalpais and the swimming pool to the south, and the hillsides of Larkpur to the north. It is simply magical watching the twinkling lights come on at dusk across the hillsides. Balconies run the full length of the home on two sides, and light streams in from three sides. The space is separated from other units by a staircase and the laundry room, so none of the sides of the unit touch another unit.

The entire development has a cool mid-century modern vibe. Schultz created every aspect of this community with intentionalism. Each aspect has meaning for the designer or author. The sense of neighborhood and community comes through today, 60 years later.

The space is perfect for entertaining, with the living and dining room forming a great room, and the kitchen, which can be closed off with a pocket door, is next to the dining room. With the entry, hall, and the other three rooms, it creates the ideal floor plan for circulation. There is also an exterior balcony egress from both ends of the entertaining space. (kitchen and living room)

Three bedrooms and two baths comprise the private quarters of the unit. The primary suite has hill views, two large closets, one walk-in, and a remodeled en-suite bathroom with tub and iridescent tiles.
The guest bedroom opens to the deck and also has hill views. The full bathroom is across the hall. The third bedroom also holds a wall of closets and it would make a special office with dead-on views of Mt. Tam.

There is a convenient side-by-side washer/dryer and large storage for all your gear. One-car-deeded parking with copious additional un-deeded street spots in front.

Walk 500 yards to the stream, dog walk station, and hiking path. In 5 mins, you and your bike are on Mt. Tam. Walk to the community center of BonAir with Pete’s coffee, Mollie Stones, and Sweetgreens. Walk to the ferry to San Francisco and to the SMART train for your commute.

“Location, location, location” is personified by 290 via Casitas. Improve your life with an intentional community and home that checks all the boxes.