This lovely Montclair home was built with distinction by its original owner (a builder-contractor) to exacting standards for his own use. The home is in the Glenarms neighborhood, close by the Temescal Regional Recreation Area. The home is amply removed from traffic for privacy and quiet, and yet it offers access to the 13 and 24 freeways just minutes away. Ascend from the wide, quiet street and enter through a beautiful mahogany door into a spectacular hardwood-floored hallway. The ceiling soars more than twenty-feet above. The formal living room to the left welcomes guests through a graceful arch to a grand fireplace. Elegant custom mahogany frames the windows, admitting ample light from the west. Proceed to the elegant, dining room adjacent, subtly illuminated by an ornate chandelier. The kitchen offers exceptional custom cabinetry, spacious counters and an island, two sinks and disposals, and top appliances. The family room adjacent to the kitchen is sure to be an entertainment hub, with a spectacular fireplace adorned with a floor-to-ceiling hearth and mantle. A spacious library/office sits adjacent, with ample work stations, track lighting, custom cabinetry, and more custom windows. Downstairs, a wine cellar and intimate tasting room provide another entertainment venue. A grand Travertine marble staircase ascends from the entry hall to the bedrooms above. Two spacious bedrooms share a long bathroom to the right of the stairs; the hallway to the left leads to the principal suite. The laundry room, with ample storage space, is conveniently located between the bedrooms. The principal suite offers San Francisco Bay and Bridge views through the mature trees; high-peaked ceilings; its own fireplace; and an en-suite bathroom with two sinks, a mirrored built-in vanity, and a spacious shower and separate bathtub/Jacuzzi. Ascend another short flight of stairs to another spacious bedroom (which could be reconfigured as a playroom), with ample storage. Gabled windows offer natural lighting from both east and west. The floors throughout use exquisite hardwoods, including Brazilian cherry, oak, and acacia. Outside, the property includes a grassy yard and garden to the north, and the hillside garden to the east ensures exceptional privacy while capturing the afternoon sun. Nearby public schools – Thornhill Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary – are top-rated. This home stands out as exceptional in the most-exceptional part of Oakland.