919 McKinley Ave

919 McKinley is a lovingly renovated Craftsman with new foundation and gorgeous open kitchen. This delightful home features original millwork with simple, clean lines, flat square edges, exposed joinery, and custom mantels & trim. This is the former residence of Jackie Jensen, arguably Oakland’s most interesting man*!

The main level features quintessential Arts & Crafts style living & dining rooms with hardwood floors, fireplace and built-ins; a stunning eat-in kitchen with custom cabinetry, quartz countertops with waterfall edges, designer tile & Bosch appliances; recently update bathroom with marble tile and deep soaking tub; and a large bedroom with views over the rear yard.

Upstairs are two additional bedrooms with solid oak flooring, a powder room and a radiant sunroom with southwesterly views over the Oakland skyline.

The fenced backyard is perfect for playing and entertaining. It features a fire pit, raised vegetable garden, a mature lemon tree, flagstone patio and synthetic lawn. A detached garage is well suited for use as an office or fitness room.

Cleveland Heights borders Lakeshore and Trestle Glen. Lake Merritt, Trader Joe’s, Grand Lake Farmer’s Market and Glenview’s Park Blvd are all within a mile. AC Transit’s NL Transbay line picks up .3 miles away with service to Salesforce Transit Center.

* Jackie Jenson was a sports legend at Oakland High School and University of California. Jensen was the first person to play in the Rose Bowl, the World Series, and the MLB All-Star Game. He helped California to win the inaugural College World Series in 1947 defeating Yale, featuring future President George Bush. He scored a touchdown in the 1949 Rose Bowl after finishing 4th in Heisman voting. After signing with the Oakland Oaks in 1950, his contract was sold (along with future MLB legend Billy Martin) to the New York Yankees where he was to be groomed as Joe DiMaggio’s backup (Mickey Mantle would eventually take the job). In 1958, Jensen won the AL MVP for the Boston Red Sox. At age 32 and still in his prime, Jensen retired from MLB due to a fear of flying. After retirement, Jensen would go on to broadcasting for ABC, managing college and minor league baseball teams, and co-owning the Bow & Bell in Jack London Square until its closure in 1977.