Long before Albany's tree-lined streets became one of the East Bay's most cherished neighborhoods, someone built this little gem right in the heart of it all. That was 1939. Swing was on the radio, the Golden Gate Bridge had just celebrated its second birthday, and somewhere on this very street, a proud new homeowner turned a brass key in a freshly painted front door for the very first time. That door is still here. And it still delights. This is not a home that announces itself — it welcomes. It invites you to slow down, to pause in the sunshine on the back deck, or to cozy up with a cup of tea in the living room, peering through the 1930s archway to the street below on a rainy day. This beauty is freshly painted inside and out, has dual-pane windows, newly refinished hardwood floors, a sweet hands-off front garden with an automatic drip system, and a large backyard just waiting for your green thumb. Between the living room and kitchen is an elegant archway typical of the architecture of the time period. With granite countertops, a gas-fired stovetop, and room for a petite table in the kitchen, you can host dinner parties or homework cram sessions with ease, and the deck off the kitchen is perfect for al fresco dining if you're in the mood. Elegantly separated from the community spaces, through the hallway off the living room lie two bedrooms and a full bath with shower over the tub. Need more room to stretch your wings? Accessed from the backyard, the basement measures an additional 440sf*, is plumbed for a second bathroom, and has space for an exercise room, workshop, or even a home office. Beyond the front door, Albany herself becomes the amenity no floor plan can fully convey. Solano Avenue and its constellation of restaurants and coffee shops, neighborhood bakeries, and beloved seasonal community events are mere moments away. You’ll have easy access to Memorial Park and the Ohlone greenway. And of course, Albany’s award-winning schools** are always a draw. Come settle in and grow your roots here at 820 Madison St, Albany. (*buyer to investigate; **Buyer to verify school district/availability).