There’s one extremely unique neighborhood in Northern California that’s guaranteed to make you do a double-take. Boasting a quaint European-style charm, this place is bound to make you feel like you’ve left the Golden State and fallen into the pages of a storybook. Few people realize this one-of-a-kind “village” even exists or how it came to be, but there’s actually a fascinating story behind it. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in a real-life fairytale, then a visit to this oddly charming neighborhood is a must! Take a look:
The photographs below may have you believing you're looking at an Old European-style village, but don't be fooled. This unique neighborhood is called Thornburg Village and it can actually be found right here in Northern California.
Thornburg Village is easily one of Berkeley's most unique neighborhoods. Strolling through it, you can't help but feel like you've traveled to some sort of fairytale-esque world. So, why exactly does this place exist? It turns out there's a fascinating story behind its creation.
This strange neighborhood was designed by an Oakland architect named William Raymond Yelland. Yelland was hugely influenced by the period of time he spent stationed in France during World War I, so he designed an entire neighborhood based off of it.
The neighborhood is actually a mish-mash of influences, ranging from Scandinavia to French Normandy accents. The result is a fantastical storybook-worthy setting that looks almost too enchanting to be real.
The village got its name from the developer who worked on the project, Jack Thornburg. Both Thornburg and Yelland were famous for their storybook architectural style, and it can be seen in various places around north Berkeley.
Thornburg Village was officially completed in 1927. At the time, there was hope that the village would act as a sort of self-contained community, complete with shops, cafes, and apartments. Due to city zoning restrictions, this vision never really came to life.
Nonetheless, the village is a transfixing destination. It was established as a Berkeley Historical Landmark in 1983, and tenants live in these one-of-a-kind apartments to this very day. Complete with winding staircases and high-pitched gable rooftops, it's easy to see why people would want to live here, and you may even consider it yourself after visiting!
