UC Berkeley's proposed demolition of the Blake House, a historic mansion once home to UC presidents, has sparked debate among residents and preservationists. The 13,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style estate, built in 1924, is seismically unsafe and requires costly renovations. Campus officials argue that the house poses a safety hazard and that the $15 million renovation cost is too high, especially if it were to be converted to a new use. The university plans to expand the surrounding gardens, which are open to the public, and retain the building's foundation as an outdoor teaching area for the College of Environmental Design.
However, many locals and preservationists are concerned about the loss of this historic landmark. Carolyn McNiven, a local preservationist, criticized the university for failing to maintain the Blake House while spending money on other properties. She described the home as "gracious" in its heyday, surrounded by a rose garden and a field of irises, part of the original landscape plan by Anita Blake and her sister Mabel Symmes. Kate Peterson, a regular visitor to the garden, expressed dismay at the potential demolition, emphasizing the property's historical significance and the joy it brought to visitors.
The Blake House's history dates back to the late 1950s when the University of California's landscape architecture department began cultivating plants in the gardens while the family still lived there. After Anita Blake's passing, UC presidents occupied the house until 2008, when it became unlivable due to roof leaks, mold, and a long commute to UC's Oakland offices. The university has since rented other properties for its presidents and bought a $6.5 million Claremont Blvd. home in 2022.
The proposed demolition has raised concerns about the university's approach to historic preservation. UC Berkeley has faced criticism for demolishing other historic buildings, such as a rent-controlled apartment building and a city-landmarked 1930s gas station, to make way for new student housing. Preservationists have also protested the planned demolition of Victorian buildings on the former Anna Head school campus.
Despite the controversy, the University of California, as a state entity, is not generally subject to local planning regulations. The university is now seeking a consultant to prepare an environmental impact report, which will be necessary because the house would likely qualify as a historical resource under the California Environmental Quality Act. The final decision on the demolition will be made by the UC regents after the environmental review is completed.
