Original art deco
1930s Sydney Gubby art deco property in Croydon, Greater London
This 1930s Sydney Gubby art deco property in Croydon, Greater London has had a price drop. Which is a good reason for us to feature this place and its original features once more.
You will find it in Shirley and specifically on Orchard Rise, described as ‘one of the most sought-after roads in this residential area’. I don’t know the area, so I’ll have to take the agent’s word on that. If you know any different, do let me know.
It is quite a remarkable place too. As I said, it does look like a house lost in time when you see the exterior and when you see some of the inner details too. We moan all too often about people ripping out period details and replacing them with bland modern finishes. This is an example of just why that tends to be a bad idea.
It isn’t perfect and some rooms could probably be reworked. But we are talking tweaks. This house has so much going for it and so much period character from the front door onwards. Yes, that door with ‘Solstice’ emblazoned on it is the original one.
Also original are the kitchen units, the Crittall metal windows, the handrail on the stairs, recesses in the walls for display, a fireplace or two and some door handles. Details to be treasured. Oh and this is also quite a sizeable house too with plenty of garden, which is pretty much the cherry on top.
The accommodation on the ground floor starts with the entrance hall and goes on to include the kitchen with those original units (though some have been replaced), a dining room and the living room.
Hold on to that original handrail and take yourself upstairs to the first floor with four bedrooms, a WC and the family bathroom. The main bedroom also features those display recesses in the wall, a wonderful fireplace and what the agent calls a ‘playful use’ of differing ceiling heights.
That’s not quite all as more stairs take you up to the roof terrace, which has been recently resurfaced and offers views of some distance, right up to Canary Wharf. Its original use was for the architect owner to watch the stars, so if you have a love of space, you can always follow in his footsteps.
As we said, plenty of garden too, mainly lawn with a variety of beds and shrubs, as well as a small playhouse built by architect Gubby for his children. Around a third of an acre all told. Finally there is a double garage and a short drive for more parking space.
If this is your dream home, it has just had a price drop, going from £845,000 down to £795,000. Ok, it’s not a huge drop, but it might indicate that a deal can be done if you do want it and couldn’t quite make the original asking price.
Images and details courtesy of The Modern House. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.