The Carl Derby Residence was built in 1910 and was designed by Riverside's most prolific architect, George Stanley Wilson. Wilson is responsible for major additions to the Mission Inn Hotel and many of Riverside's iconic civic structures, the RMA, Arlington Heights Fruit Exchange and the Aurea Vista Hotel, just to name a few. Early in his career he built several Craftsman homes, and this is a fantastic example of that period. This home has all the trademark features of a California Craftsman Bungalow. The clapboard siding, casement windows, wide eaves with protruding rafter tails and of course a full width, deep shade porch. Fifth Street, is lined with mature Magnolias and gorgeous turn-of-the-century homes that make your views from the porch as well as other rooms within the house so much more enjoyable. The Derby Home also has classic craftsman living spaces. A formal living room with wood burning fireplace, hardwood floors and a decorative box-beamed ceiling and a dining room lined with board and batton douglas fir, plate rails and a built-in buffet all stained in a rich dark brown. The kitchen was moved from the original location, expanded and remodeled while space was made to add a downstairs bathroom. The white shaker cabinets, quartz countertops and stainless appliances give it a modern feel while the checkered tile flooring and subway tile backsplash add that touch of vintage. There's a small breakfast bar, great views of the back garden and it's also well positioned in the home with great access to the rear porch, family room and dining room. On the second level there are three bedrooms a full bathroom and two spaces that would have been sleeping porches in the original design from 1910. Downstairs, there is also one more room, accessed through gorgeous french doors that was created by enclosing a portion of the wrap-around porch. One of my favorite features is the back garden. There are several patios to entertain larger groups, many mature fruit trees and of course a great pool and spa for the summer months ahead. I like that the rear patio gets fully shaded throughout the day and the mature oak tree is a constant reminder that you live in a stunning historic neighborhood. From here you are just a short walk to the heart of downtown riverside, a few minutes to the trails on Mount Rubidoux and also the lakes at Fairmount Park making this one of, if not the most walkable neighborhoods in the entire city of Riverside.
