If these walls could talk, they would tell you about the quiet mornings a bestselling author spent right here, working through the pages of his next book. This Victor Avenue home was the place where acclaimed Oakland author Tommy Orange and his family finally made it back to the city that raised him, moving in during 2022 just before welcoming their second child. Tommy was born and raised in Oakland, between the Dimond and Glenview districts, and even spent time down the street from this very home as a child. Within these walls he finished Wandering Stars, the celebrated follow up to his Pulitzer Prize finalist debut, There There, and sold his third book while living here. …
The Story
3530 Victor Avenue
If these walls could talk, they would tell you about the quiet mornings a bestselling author spent right here, working through the pages of his next book. This Victor Avenue home was the place where acclaimed Oakland author Tommy Orange and his family finally made it back to the city that raised him, moving in during 2022 just before welcoming their second child. Tommy was born and raised in Oakland, between the Dimond and Glenview districts, and even spent time down the street from this very home as a child. Within these walls he finished Wandering Stars, the celebrated follow up to his Pulitzer Prize finalist debut, There There, and sold his third book while living here. In 2025, after being named a MacArthur Fellow, one of the highest honors an American writer can receive, he was filmed in this very house for the foundation's archival record. As Tommy put it himself, this is a home of fabulous neighbors, real community, and so much charm inside and out, warm and inviting, close to two freeways yet tucked away from the everyday hustle. Beyond its story, the house holds its own. Light and bright throughout with tall ceilings and warm hardwood floors, it offers two plus spacious bedrooms, a formal dining room for the meals that matter, and a sweet corner nook in the kitchen made for coffee and quiet thinking. A bathroom full of original charm, a flexible bonus space, and a one car garage round out the home, while the yard invites play, gathering, or simply sitting outside and letting a good idea grow. Highlights include: Once home to celebrated author Tommy Orange during the writing of his New York Times bestseller Wandering Stars Light and bright interior with tall ceilings and warm hardwood floors throughout Two plus spacious bedrooms and a bathroom full of original character Formal dining room perfect for gathering with friends and family Charming corner kitchen nook made for coffee and conversation Flexible bonus space, ideal for a home office, studio, or den One car garage AC, Seismic Retrofitting, Sewer compliant, updated throughout and more Private yard made for play, relaxing, or outdoor inspiration Convenient access to two freeways while tucked away from everyday foot traffic A rare opportunity to own a piece of Oakland literary history in a warm and welcoming neighborhood
