Best of 2018
WowHaus Top 50 houses of 2018 (numbers 20 – 11)
We are getting close to the end of the WowHaus Top 50 houses of 2018, with numbers 20 – 11 of the most popular finds featured below.
If you have missed the earlier parts of the rundown, you will find them here:
WowHaus Top 50 houses of 2018 (numbers 50 – 41)
WowHaus Top 50 houses of 2018 (numbers 40 – 31)
WowHaus Top 50 houses of 2018 (numbers 30 – 21)
After you have checked those out, here are the latest 10 in reverse order…
20. 1930s Oliver Hill-designed art deco property in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex
This one has been on and off the market a couple of times. But it was back on in 2018.
It’s a stunning piece of 1930s architecture, one of a number by Oliver Hill in Frinton, but for me, by far the best, mixing subtle modern updates with all those lovely period features. Incredibly cool.
19. 1960s time capsule in Guildford, Surrey
On the market for the first time in 50 years and looking exactly as you would expect it too.
The elevated location offers amazing panoramic views over the town and towards the London skyline and the interior is pretty much retro paradise, from the layout to the furnishings. A swimming pool too.
18. Menryn 1960s midcentury modern property in Newton Ferrers, Devon
Built by the architect in the late 1960s for his own occupation, this is another house untouched by time.
It has the look of a US midcentury modern home, with a touch of Frank Lloyd Wright for inspiration and of course, an amazing setting. As for the inside, that’s like a step back in time. In a good way, of course.
17. Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen-designed Pavilion House in Southwold, Suffolk
Something modern at 17. In fact, it was constructed just the years ago.
The end product is something of a modernist gem. A single-storey house with walls of glass and flowing space across its large footprint. Bags of natural light, of course.
16. 1960s Lawrence Abbott brutalist property in Frimley, Surrey
Two of these places went up this year, with this one hitting the chart higher.
The development is Apex Drive, a mid-1960s place featuring 32 award-winning brutalist dwellings. Time hasn’t been kind to some, but I liked this one a lot. Updated, but without taking away too much of the original character and still offering the quirkiness that sold them in the first place.
15. Apartment in Breton House on the Barbican Estate, London EC2
Plenty of places in the Barbican featured this year, but this one was a step ahead of the rest.
Why? Well, originality and potential were probably the reasons behind it. It was being sold off via the City of London and pretty much as it was in the 1970s. All the desirable original features were still in place and although it needed sharpening up, this was a great opportunity for someone.
14. A House Through Time: TV Georgian house in Falkner Street, Liverpool L8
Do you remember the TV show A House Through Time? The house that featured in the documentary hit the market not long after it was shown. The TV show looked at the hosiery of the house and the people who lived in it from Georgian times. A mixed past, you might say. But it is back to its best now and looking for the story’s next chapter.
13. 1960s Robert Harvey midcentury modern property in Kenilworth, Warwickshire
This was incredibly popular, despite being featured in the past. But there was a bit of confusion in the listing.
That listing showed photos of the existing house, but it also featured some artist’s impressions of an extended version. Regardless of that, the house is an amazing 1960s midcentury modern house, perfectly maintained over the years, but in need of some work now.
12. 1960s Erno Goldfinger Teesdale House property Windlesham, Surrey
The grade II-listed Teesdale House was a big budget affair. It was built for Jack Perry, a businessman who made his money developing trade links with China in the 1950s and 1960s, with money no object when it came to the finish.
All of which is still in place. This is the only post-war private house in original condition by Erno Goldfinger and pretty much perfection if 1960s modernism is your thing.
11. 1960s John Copeland modernist property in Dumfries, Scotland
According to my research, this house was by John Copeland, described as a ‘local man’ and someone ‘whose career was blighted by an inability to compromise’. Looking at this, you can see why.
A bold and unusual statement in need of bringing back to its best. So distinctive and original, with plenty of original features in place. Very much in the affordable bracket too.
Christopher Barrett on 1 January, 2019 1:25 pm
If you click through to the agent’s website for the Dumfries property, there are newer photos – looks like the vendor was encouraged to clear it out/clean it up. It’s got such charm – now if only I could justify moving to Scotland…