Arden Wood opened in 1930 to serve as a private Christian Science retreat, a refuge for those seeking Christian Science nursing care, and a training center for Christian Science
nurses. Since 1978, it has also included independent living for retired Christian Scientists. The Main Building was designed by architect Henry H. Gutterson, who is well known for his 40 years of service as the supervising architect for St. Francis Wood. The French Chateau style employed by Mr. Gutterson is based on French Renaissance architecture from the late 15th century to the early 17th century. The beautiful grounds were originally designed by landscape architect Helen Van Pelt. This project remains the most significant in Helen’s 60-year career largely due to the professional publicity it generated. The descriptions of her work were glowing: “Mrs. Helen Van Pelt, as landscape architect, has tamed the forest and converted it into a park in the immediate vicinity of the building.” It should be noteworthy for locals to learn that Mrs. Van Pelt played a major role in the creation of the Marin Art & Garden Center. The Main Building is six stories over 2 basement wings and is approximately 124,755 square feet. In the 1970s, it was reconfigured to its present layout, which offers 107 separate living suites. Meals are served in the Dining Room on the Main level. In several locations on the residential floors, there are small dining rooms for the use of those who are mobility-impaired. The floorplan is shaped like two ‘Y’s placed end to end. The
result is a 5-wing floorplan; the northeast portion of the floors is known as the ‘A’ wing, the southeast portion is the ‘B’ wing, the central connecting portion of the floors is the ‘C’ wing, the southwest portion is the ‘D’ wing, and the northwest portion is the ‘E’ wing. In the early 2000’s, remodeling of the ‘D’ and ‘E’ wings on the 4th floor was planned in order to create a section dedicated to memory care. This work was not completed, resulting in 11 currently unfinished suites. The Height Limit is 40-x. The portion of the property west of an imaginary line north to south continuing south of 17th Avenue is zoned RH-2, and the portion east of 17th Avenue is zoned RH-1(D). RH-2 districts are devoted to one-family and two-family houses, with the latter commonly consisting of two large flats, one occupied by the owner and the other available for
rental. RH-1(D) districts are characterized by lots of greater width and area than in other parts of the City and by single-family houses with front, rear, and side yards.
